Standing order to US Marine guards; “If attacked, shoot and shoot to kill.”
Yeah, President Trump is going to win the upcoming election… provided the Jackass Party doesn’t pull another 2020 Grand Theft Election, that is.
Of the many initiatives Trump has already announced, his plan to deport the 10-20 million illegal immigrants is possibly the top contributor to the recent wave of TDS.
With that said, I fully understand that the PCA (Posse Comitatus Act) is widely cited by many as the specific law that largely prohibits federal troops for active participation in any domestic law enforcement, as cited by the Dept. of Justice.
But wait, there’s more.
The same DoJ website notes;
“…except in such cases and under such circumstances as such employment of said force may be authorized by the Constitution or by act of Congress.”
The same website also cites specific instances that overrode the PCA;
- 1919 rioters in Chicago
- Bonus Marchers in Washington, DC in 1932
- Railroad workers who went on strike during the admin of Pres. Truman, who temporarily nationalized the railroads under the Army Corps of Engineers
- 1973 standoff between Federal troops and the American Indian Movement at Wounded Knee, SD
- 1992 street riots in Los Angeles
- 1993 standoff with the Branch Davidians at Waco, TX
- Bombing of the Federal building in Oklahoma City
- 2001 suicide attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon
But before I get any deeper into federal military forces being involved in law enforcement, there is historical precedence for the various branches of the armed forces “lending” out their personnel.
Even to this day, Marines assigned to Embassy Guard Duty are under the operational control of the State Department, not the Marine Corps.
But back to the topic at hand. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, the federal government hired hundreds of thousands of men who found themselves suddenly unemployed.
In organizations such as the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), men would voluntarily sign-up for six-month stints for projects such as planting trees, soil conservation, and the like.
As noted by the website CCC Legacy (emphasis mine);
“The Army mobilized the nation’s transportation system, and moved thousands of enrollees from induction centers to working camps. It used regular and reserve officers, together with regulars of the Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy to temporarily command companies.”
By the way, CCC employees were paid 30 percent more than first-hitch enlisted men serving in the armed forces.
Other instances are the two different times Marines were called upon during the 1920s to guard the US Mail.
Please keep in mind that it was a very common practice for companies to send out payrolls via registered mail. On any given day, millions in cash were flowing through the US Postal Service. Obviously, organized crime looked upon payroll robberies as plum targets.
As noted by the official website of the US Postal Inspection Service;
“President Calvin Coolidge promptly deployed the Marines to assist in protecting the mail. This time 1,850 men were sent to the high-risk railway terminals, and an additional 650 were kept in the reserves ready to be deployed if needed.”
Interestingly enough, the folks over at WeAreTheMighty.com note;
“Marines from both coasts were activated and armed with trench guns [shotguns], M1911 pistols, and the M1903 Springfield rifle to stand watch as high-value mail deliveries were moved between institutions, large cities, banks, and government offices. They rode mail trucks and trains, often seated with the driver and in with the valuable cargo. The Navy Secretary told his new detachment of 50-plus Marines and officers:
“To the Men of the Mail Guard, you must when on guard duty, keep your weapons in hand and, if attacked, shoot and shoot to kill. If two Marines are covered by a robber, neither must put up his hands, but both must immediately go for their guns. One may die, but the other will get the robber, and the mail will get through. When our Corps goes in as guards over the mail, that mail must be delivered, or there must be a Marine dead at the post of duty. There can be no compromise.”
Also noted is a FAQ section of the Marine mail guard field manual (emphasis mine);
- “Q. Suppose he [the robber] is using a gun or making threats with a gun in trying to escape?
A. Shoot him. - Q. Suppose the thief was apparently unarmed but was running away?
A. Call halt twice at the top of your voice, and if he does not halt, fire one warning shot; and if he does not obey this, shoot to hit him. - Q. Is it permissible to take off my pistol while on duty?
A. Never take off your pistol while on duty. Keep it loaded, locked, and cocked while on duty. - Q. Is there a general plan for meeting a robbery?
A. Yes; start shooting and meet developments as they arise thereafter. - Q. If I hear the command ‘Hands Up,’ am I justified in obeying this order?
A. No; fall to the ground and start shooting. - Q. Is it possible to make a successful mail robbery?
A. Only over a dead Marine.”
I’m fairly certain that the average American is already aware that more than a few of those here in America are engaged in not only the slave trade, but also running drugs across the border.
We’re talking billions worth in slaving women and children and drug smuggling.
When it comes down to taking down the hard-core bad guys, it only makes sense to call in the Marines.