Question on open carry for U.S. Military in Texas...

[The Annoyed Man]

Is it remotely possible that this guy was a SWAT officer, or some such, and that therefore he was in BDUs of some sort and was openly carrying his firearm perfectly legally? Could your wife have possibly confused "Spec-Ops" with "SWAT?"

[G26ster]

Boy, I must be really old. After spending 14 years active duty in the U.S. Army, always in combat arms, when the heck did Special Forces begin operations "within" the United States. Under what authority are they operating?? I don't believe that any military personnel, other than Military Police, would be armed off a military reservation, or armed on the reservation other than for training purposes only. Someone please bring me up to date.

[Dragonfighter]

I detached to 5th group and we never carried in garrison, much less off post. If we were deployed somewhere, then yeah a side arm or rifle would be with us at all times. I somehow don't think a school would be considered warm, much less hot.

[stroo]

My son in law is Marine Special Operations. He doesn't wear a uniform except when he has to. While he has a Tx CHL, he generally doesn't take a gun along when he flies back here. So as many other posters have noted, this sounds really suspicious.

[bayouhazard]

Being a Military-Brat, she did not call the police. We do not want to get him into any legal trouble, but wish to inform him. That way he won't get into legal trouble.

She told him her opinion. Now she can either drop it or call the police to report a man with a gun (and wearing camoflage?) in a school and let them sort it out.

[Sasnakra]

After reading the various comments - I would certainly agree it sounds suspicious.
TAM's question of possible SWAT sounds the most likely - if he was legit.
I would report - if OK then no problem; If no OK then could be a BIG problem.

[VoiceofReason]

Why take a chance???
Remember Killeen Tx.
Report anything like that IMMEDIATELY when it happens.

----It should be reported even now.---


IF he is ligit -it will be sorted out.
IF he is not ligit- it will be sorted out.

---------------

(secret squirrel at a school?????)

Way too many red flags. PERIOD.

What he said.

[E.Marquez]

Boy, I must be really old. After spending 14 years active duty in the U.S. Army, always in combat arms, when the heck did Special Forces begin operations "within" the United States. Under what authority are they operating?? I don't believe that any military personnel, other than Military Police, would be armed off a military reservation, or armed on the reservation other than for training purposes only. Someone please bring me up to date.

..lol.. you’re not that far gone.

I'm active duty now and have been for the preceding 24 years, all as a grunt. It's the same now as it was as you remember it.

Whoever the player was / is, was misunderstood or is not right. He is not operating under any military authority by the way the encounter was described.
IMHO, if he shows again, call a local LEO, let them sort it out.. Right guy mistaken, Right guy doing the wrong thing or wrong guy doing the wrong thing... This is one of the few times I would request the assistance of LEO..

[Mando'a]

Is it remotely possible that this guy was a SWAT officer, or some such, and that therefore he was in BDUs of some sort and was openly carrying his firearm perfectly legally? Could your wife have possibly confused "Spec-Ops" with "SWAT?"

I would say not likely about confusing SWAT with Military. We are both Military-brats, and SHOULD be able to differentiate between the two.

But it's been so long now, that we wouldn't be able to tell the finer nuances, of the ACU. See, when out parents were in the Army, the ACU, was a BDU.

Thanks

[Mando'a]

Thank you all, for the many posts.

I'll have my wife warn him (or her superiors), the next time he shows up armed.

Again, we are both Military-brats, and hold a special place in our hearts for our Troops. We know what they go through first hand. So we are loath, to get a soldier into any trouble.

But if it is against the law for him to OC (especially into a school), we would have no issue giving him a warning, and then call the Police, should he ignore the warning, and show up again armed.
At that point he has been "Schooled." Please forgive the pun, I couldn't resist.

As always, many thanks for the great information and suggestions.

[G26ster]

Boy, I must be really old. After spending 14 years active duty in the U.S. Army, always in combat arms, when the heck did Special Forces begin operations "within" the United States. Under what authority are they operating?? I don't believe that any military personnel, other than Military Police, would be armed off a military reservation, or armed on the reservation other than for training purposes only. Someone please bring me up to date.

..lol.. you’re not that far gone.

I'm active duty now and have been for the preceding 24 years, all as a grunt. It's the same now as it was as you remember it.

Thanks for validating my memory.

My son in law is Marine Special Operations. He doesn't wear a uniform except when he has to.

When did Special Operations troops become "undercover police" by not wearing uniforms? Seems "civies" while on duty takes you out of the military role. Doesn't the Geneva Convention prohibit that? I have to assume that when he is out of uniform, he is off duty.

[Dragonfighter]

CID, counter insurgency et al are all "special operations" that do not wear uniforms as a matter of course.

[G26ster]

CID, counter insurgency et al are all "special operations" that do not wear uniforms as a matter of course.

Yes, but CID investigates "within" the military, as police. I'm not familiar with counter insurgency forces within the US. Can you elaborate as to their role?

[SwimFan85]

Again, we are both Military-brats, and hold a special place in our hearts for our Troops. We know what they go through first hand. So we are loath, to get a soldier into any trouble.

That's great if your wife is convinced he's a real soldier who doesn't know the law. However, if he's a poseur like the guy at the Houston mayor's party, you're not doing real soldiers any favors.

http://www.texaschlforum.com/viewtopic. ... olen+valor

[MoJo]

Is it remotely possible that this guy was a SWAT officer, or some such, and that therefore he was in BDUs of some sort and was openly carrying his firearm perfectly legally? Could your wife have possibly confused "Spec-Ops" with "SWAT?"

SWAT cops only dress up in their cammies when they are SWATing. They usually wear either regular police uniforms or BDUs when they aren't deployed as a team. I'm thinking this guy was in whatever they call the new "fatigues." OK, OK, OK - - - I'm showing my age - - - the Army had just upgraded to the "trapdoor Springfield" when I got out.