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BEAUFORT, S.C. – This past Tuesday, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island carried out an active shooter drill, marking the culmination of a week-long series of workshops focused on managing active shooter incidents. The exercise aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of their emergency response strategies.
The drill involved not only the base’s police forces but also extended to local law enforcement, fire rescue, and EMS units from Northern Beaufort County. Additionally, state and federal agencies participated in the exercise, ensuring a comprehensive approach.
“This is of utmost importance to us,” emphasized Col. Charles Nash, the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations at MCRD.
The scenario was set at the Marine Corps Exchange, a department store-like facility on the base, to mimic the challenges of an active shooter situation. Col. Nash highlighted that the focus is on both preparedness and the actual response to such critical incidents.
“A common theme in these training sessions is the saying, ‘it’s not if, but when something like this will occur,’” Col. Nash noted. “While it’s a sobering thought, we are dedicated to being ready at Parris Island.”
The simulated exercise took place at the Marine Corp Exchange, to represent a place where an active shooting would likely take place. Once the active shooter “opened fire,” immediate base emergency officials responded.
Because of it being a large-scale shooting event, additional emergency responders from the air station, as well as local and state authorities came in to support the response effort.
“For emergency response, we want to have a fully integrated team, not just for our on the installation fire, emergency services and military police, but also our partners that are right outside the gate,” the colonel said. “That allows us to work through the challenge of bringing them on the installation during a simulated emergency, as well as integrating them into our response posture, working on the information flow and ensuring that everyone who comes in to help solve the problem is fully informed.”
The personal response framework, curated by the Department of Homeland Security, is to better prepare for the shooting events that have become far more common in the nation.
“If you watched the national news, active shooter threats are an unfortunate part of our society nowadays,” said Mission Assurance Chief for MCRD Parris Island Andrew Smith. “Certainly, military installations across the country have been impacted. You can name several from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Pensacola, Florida, to Fort Hood. So, we are not immune to that threat.”
That also includes Fort Stewart in Savannah, Ga. last year, where five soldiers were shot and injured by Sgt. Quormelius Bradford. He is expected to plead guilty in military court later this month.
“The importance here is of making sure that we’re ready for that that type of threat should it occur,” Smith said.
To be ready to serve the nation, and to serve as a citizen of the country is a part of the culture and ethos of being a Marine, both leaders said.
“In a time of chaos, should an active shooter event occur and they are engaged in it or in close proximity, the expectation would be that the Marines, having been educated on this threat and the personal response framework, can provide assistance and direction to those that might be in need of assistance in such a very chaotic and tough situation,” said Smith.
The response is to protect the most vulnerable population first and foremost, which are viewed by base leaders as the recruits, families and civilians.
The exercise is just a simulation, but very real exposure into what marines and first responders must do in the critical moments. The hope is that they will never have to use their active shooter training skills, but one of the most important conclusions for Col. Nash going into and coming out of the exercise, is that “we are ready.”