Back on subject, considering the current threats both the US and Canadian military faces, I find it odd that more firearms and ammunition are not required on base. To be blunt it’s likely an attacker is less likely to meet armed resistance on a US army base than most of the surrounding civilian areas. The current thinking is the Base perimeter provides the protection along with gate guards and the MP as the first armed responders, not sure if they carry rifles in their vehicles and don’t expect that to be divulged either. Personally I think it’s inadequate. Each unit on base should be tasked with providing a armed guard duty, either at unit HQ, guard hut or wherever large groups of personal assemble (mess halls, etc). Weapon don’t necessarily need to be loaded, but the guard armed, issued sufficient ammo and equipped with combat gear, including radios that allow them to coordinate their response.
Comms would likely be handled by the BHQ and MP’s who would direct the response and reposition guards as required to any incident of identified threat. All of the above would require a switch in mind think and I think it would be easier to do it now will we are filled with combat veterans who have experienced an enemy that will exploit any weakness exposed. Changing the mind think of the Base staff and senior leaders would be the most difficult part of the exercise.