For those in the military or DoD employees on federal installations, the DoD Directive 5210.56 was updated (dated the 18th) in November.
The good news is they added Section 4, which gives general guidelines "for permitting privately owned firearms on DoD property by DoD personnel for personal protection purposes that are not associated with the performance of official duties".
Now, this is just DoD guidance, so each service and agency will need to figure out how to implement. There is some specific guidance, such as a 21-year old requirement, obeying state and local restrictions (when traveling off post) and including some form of training requirement. It's interesting that the guidance includes both open and concealed carry. So, the guidance may be there, but if you have a draconian service, garrison or unit commander, it may not get much traction. I'm still not clear on who the "army authority" is who is the individual that can allow the carry of personal firearms. Some think it's an O5 commander, the garrison commander, the provost marshal, or might end up be at the O6 or first GO level commander; I think every service will have slight variances.
So, carry on-post still does not allow carry in federal buildings (makes sense as this is a DoD guidance and federal law still restricts carry in federal buildings). What it does allow is for open or concealed carry in or out of uniform. Even more important for those trying to figure out "bug home" from work plans, this guidance makes allowances for storing your firearm, unattended in your vehicle. This is probably the biggest win.
The do mention that background check are required and that must be overlaid by any UCMJ or disciplinary incidents that unit commanders may feel disqualify a service member from carrying. I don't see that as a prerequisite, but if you're a young 22 year old E5 and you get into a physical altercation that ends up being a some form of UCMJ punitive punishment...may get your ability to carry revoked. Additionally, any damages you cause (thinking most likely ND) you are individually liable (not the government); which is no different than in the real world for carrying for personal protection.
Sure, there are concerns about "workplace" violence, but most threats have been identified by intel-assessments are for service members traveling to and from work.
This may not end up being ideal knowing how the services, individual installations and differences in commanders may impact or "add to" the guidelines with their own restrictions; however, it's a great step for those who work on restrictive installations when putting together their bug-home plans.
My advice if you want to make this request once the details are finalized, is get your state-issued CHL. If your state doesn't require training (like my current state of GA), take a basic class in case they make that a requirement. Service guidance should come down soon, so be prepared to apply.
ROCK6
The good news is they added Section 4, which gives general guidelines "for permitting privately owned firearms on DoD property by DoD personnel for personal protection purposes that are not associated with the performance of official duties".
Now, this is just DoD guidance, so each service and agency will need to figure out how to implement. There is some specific guidance, such as a 21-year old requirement, obeying state and local restrictions (when traveling off post) and including some form of training requirement. It's interesting that the guidance includes both open and concealed carry. So, the guidance may be there, but if you have a draconian service, garrison or unit commander, it may not get much traction. I'm still not clear on who the "army authority" is who is the individual that can allow the carry of personal firearms. Some think it's an O5 commander, the garrison commander, the provost marshal, or might end up be at the O6 or first GO level commander; I think every service will have slight variances.
So, carry on-post still does not allow carry in federal buildings (makes sense as this is a DoD guidance and federal law still restricts carry in federal buildings). What it does allow is for open or concealed carry in or out of uniform. Even more important for those trying to figure out "bug home" from work plans, this guidance makes allowances for storing your firearm, unattended in your vehicle. This is probably the biggest win.
The do mention that background check are required and that must be overlaid by any UCMJ or disciplinary incidents that unit commanders may feel disqualify a service member from carrying. I don't see that as a prerequisite, but if you're a young 22 year old E5 and you get into a physical altercation that ends up being a some form of UCMJ punitive punishment...may get your ability to carry revoked. Additionally, any damages you cause (thinking most likely ND) you are individually liable (not the government); which is no different than in the real world for carrying for personal protection.
Sure, there are concerns about "workplace" violence, but most threats have been identified by intel-assessments are for service members traveling to and from work.
This may not end up being ideal knowing how the services, individual installations and differences in commanders may impact or "add to" the guidelines with their own restrictions; however, it's a great step for those who work on restrictive installations when putting together their bug-home plans.
My advice if you want to make this request once the details are finalized, is get your state-issued CHL. If your state doesn't require training (like my current state of GA), take a basic class in case they make that a requirement. Service guidance should come down soon, so be prepared to apply.
ROCK6