The U.S. Navy has decided to include armed guards at each of their reserve stations nationwide following the death of four Marines and a sailor last month at a Chattanooga reserve center.
The implementation is slated to begin on Aug. 17, with 53 Navy reserve centers receiving the new security, according to NBC News. The Navy plans to then extend the armed security to 70 reserve locations on Oct. 17, as sentries are committing to a full year of service.
The security is being provided by Navy solicited volunteers, though the military is still discouraging vigilantism, according to United Press International.
Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez , the extremist responsible for the Chattanooga shootings in July, also fired up to 30 shots at a recruitment center before driving seven miles to the base, leaving one Marine wounded.
The shooting has prompted many armed civilians to take arms and station themselves outside of recruitment buildings as well, unsolicited.
Lt. Gen. Mark Brilakis, head of the Marine Corps recruiting command, has issued out a notice to recruitment centers to not rely on these volunteers' help and to call law enforcement immediately should they appear at recruitment stations.
Sgt. Brilakis said that their assistance, though well intentioned, would be counterproductive to their recruiting operations.
Military personnel have been prohibited from carrying personal firearms onto recruiting centers and bases since 1993, according to Talking Points Memo.
