Shooting at Fort Hood

[Gelston]

A shooting Wednesday afternoon at the Fort Hood Army post has left multiple people injured, and the shooter is believed to be dead, post officials said. The post remains on lockdown.

NBC News reported that eight people were injured, four of them critically, and that the person who died is believed to be the gunman. Officials are still searching and clearing buildings at the post, but a military official told NBC News that the deceased shooter, identified as 34-year-old Ivan Lopez, appeared to be the only shooter despite an earlier report of two gunmen.

NBC News' Pete Williams reported that the shooter was in uniform.

The Associated Press, citing an internal memo from the Justice Department, reported that the Fort Hood shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The AP also reported, citing a defense official, that as many as 14 people had been wounded in the shooting.

http://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Active-Shooter-Reported-at-Fort-Hood-253636461.html

4 and a half years later, another happens.

I like how the first comment on the NBC site is someone blaming George Bush.

[Taernath]

Give it a few more minutes, someone blaming Obama will be along shortly.

[NinjasLeadTheWay]

Blame Clinton, in 1993 he's the one who banned the carrying of personal weapons on military bases.

[Gelston]

Personally, I blame Ivan Lopez.

[Dendum]

I blame fort hood...what the hell are they doing over there?

[Candor]

Well at least the shooter won't be doing it again, nor will the government have to pay for a trial or incarceration.

[cwolff]

Before I left work I heard it was a murder suicide because of a domestic. Is that the case? Now I'm hearing it was an argument at the motor pool.

[Gelston]

I read it was a motor pool argument too.

[cwolff]

Now they're speculating that he has disciplinary problems because he's an E-4 and 34 years old. That shit pisses me off. He was Peurto Rican Nat'l Guard. He may just enlisted a few years ago because he lost his job and wanted to go to college.

[Gelston]

I knew plenty of E-4s that were in their 30s on Active Duty. Not everyone enlists at 18! Although in the army, E-4 is a automatic advancement, I believe.

[cwolff]

I knew plenty of E-4s that were in their 30s on Active Duty. Not everyone enlists at 18! Although in the army, E-4 is a automatic advancement, I believe.

No wonder he was pissed. Probably wanted to be a corporal.

[Taernath]

No wonder he was pissed. Probably wanted to be a corporal.

Nobody wants to be a corporal.

[cwolff]

Nobody wants to be a corporal.

Gelston wishes he made Corporal. He did make Lance Corporal 4 times though.

[Gelston]

Gelston wishes he made Corporal. He did make Lance Corporal 4 times though.

Pft. I made Sergeant buddy... And I've only been NJP'd twice!

[Taernath]

Pft. I made Sergeant buddy... And I've only been NJP'd twice!

You've got senior NCO potential.

[cwolff]

Pft. I made Sergeant buddy... And I've only been NJP'd twice!

Alright. That's pretty salty. Did you ever lose a stripe?

[Gelston]

Yeah. It blew.

[cwolff]

Yeah. It blew.

HAHA. What rank did you lose?

[Gelston]

Lets say that I barely made Corporal in my first enlistment.

[cwolff]

Lets say that I barely made Corporal in my first enlistment.

That's too funny. I only had 1 njp and two other incidents where they threatened me with it. I got drunk one time and they tore up my meritorious sgt. I think what they actually tore up was the recommendation before it went to battallion. They said it my promotion but I don't think they could have done that without some NJP to go with it.

[Gelston]

That's too funny. I only had 1 njp and two other incidents where they threatened me with it. I got drunk one time and they tore up my meritorious sgt. I think what they actually tore up was the recommendation before it went to battallion. They said it my promotion but I don't think they could have done that without some NJP to go with it.

They can cut it off if it hasn't been signed off on yet. I knew a kid that was non-rec'd the day before he was due to pick up Corporal, and it was by score too, not a meritorious.

[cwolff]

They can cut it off if it hasn't been signed off on yet. I knew a kid that was non-rec'd the day before he was due to pick up Corporal, and it was by score too, not a meritorious.

No shit? Maybe they weren't lying.

[Gelston]

I believe meritorious promotions go through on the 2nd of the month, as opposed to regular promotions that go on the 1st... So it gives them up until the 1st to stop one.

[cwolff]

I believe meritorious promotions go through on the 2nd of the month, as opposed to regular promotions that go on the 1st... So it gives them up until the 1st to stop one.

Ya that's true. I got meritorious corporal on a december 2nd. I was in the reserves though so we didn't get promoted until the final formation of drill weekend. I'm not sure how that affected pay but from what I know it wasn't "official" until you got the certificate. I should have looked at my LES to see what it said for that month where they took my e-5. I got it on cutting score the next month and I didn't notice any discrepancy. Pay wasn't that well regulated anyway. You might get overpaid or underpaid and either you or the gov't would catch it up later. Mostly this happened with per diem or TAD where they tried to figure out how to pay reservists compared to comparable active duty.

[Jace Solo]

Gelston was in the Marines? That blows my mind! No offense. I just wouldn't have thought by the beard. Of course, no one thinks I was in but that's because I still look sub-enlistment age and have long hair now. Eitherway, made 5...huge pain in the ass though as Gelston said.

[cwolff]

Gelston was in the Marines? That blows my mind! No offense. I just wouldn't have thought by the beard. Of course, no one thinks I was in but that's because I still look sub-enlistment age and have long hair now. Eitherway, made 5...huge pain in the ass though as Gelston said.

Alright. Ya Gelston's a Marine. He got out and enlisted in the hippies.

[cwolff]

Have there been other issues with the way the military is prescribing anti-depressants?


Medical history:
Lopez was undergoing a variety of treatments for conditions including depression, anxiety and sleep disturbances, McHugh said. He was prescribed drugs that included Ambien, a sleep aid. Lopez was fully examined last month by a psychiatrist.
There was no record of any sign he was likely to commit violence against himself or others, according to McHugh. "So the plan (going) forward was just to continue to monitor and treat him as deemed appropriate," he said.
He was going through the process required to diagnose post-traumatic stress disorder. "He was not diagnosed, as of today, with PTSD," Milley said. That process takes time. Milley said Lopez was also taking antidepressants.

Do you lose rank if you transfer from the National Guard to active duty? If he was a good soldier and he's got over a decade in, he shouldn't be an E-4 right?


Diaz said Lopez was active in the National Guard from 1999 to 2010. He was first assigned to the infantry battalion and later deployed, in 2007, to the Sinai Peninsula for 13 months. He joined the active duty Army in 2010.
Puerto Rico National Guard Command Sgt. Maj. Nelson Bigas, who served with Lopez for 17 months during training at Fort Hood and later in the Sinai, described Lopez as "one of the best soldiers we had in our infantry."
He told CNN that Lopez displayed no signs of mental issues or PTSD after completing his mission and returning to the island. "During, before, and after the mission, he never showed any signs of distress," said Bigas, adding that Lopez worked hard and demonstrated leadership within his team.
Bigas said the Fort Hood shooting was a "big surprise to me."

[Gelston]

I don't know how fast or slow the National Guard promotes. They may have just not had a E5 slot to advance him to. I wouldn't think you'd lose rank, but it could be possible. The only time I know that people lose rank for sure is when they go from any other service to the Marines.

[cwolff]

I don't know how fast or slow the National Guard promotes. They may have just not had a E5 slot to advance him to. I wouldn't think you'd lose rank, but it could be possible. The only time I know that people lose rank for sure is when they go from any other service to the Marines.

It sounds like he was a good soldier. Maybe they just didn't have any openings like you said.

I know that when I was and E-3 and E-4 I looked into making a move. At E-3 (w/in 6 months after Desert Storm) they didn't have any infantry options. I could have gone admin or supply. Then as an E-4 they said I could do it and would drop to E-3. It'd much different today since they've used the guard and reserves so much.

[Taernath]

Do you lose rank if you transfer from the National Guard to active duty? If he was a good soldier and he's got over a decade in, he shouldn't be an E-4 right?

Promotion in NG depend on slots, and it's really, really common to see specialists who are older that have also been in for over 10 years. I don't know how different the 'up or out' rule is for NG soldiers compared to active, but he could feasibly be an E4 for 10+ years and nothing would be out of the ordinary.

[cwolff]

Promotion in NG depend on slots, and it's really, really common to see specialists who are older that have also been in for over 10 years. I don't know how different the 'up or out' rule is for NG soldiers compared to active, but he could feasibly be an E4 for 10+ years and nothing would be out of the ordinary.

That's a long slow and painful career. LOL

[Gelston]

Well, National Guard isn't really a career in the same sense as active duty military.

[cwolff]

Well, National Guard isn't really a career in the same sense as active duty military.

No it's definitely not the same in that respect. I got out because the peace time reserves is B O R I N G. It's a big part time commitment too. Not to disparage the guard but I think it's different for them too. I was always stressed about drill weekend. Ironing cammies, making weight, high PFT scores, uniform inspections, lesson plans etc...(obviously it's nothing near as hard as active duty with spending 6 months on a ship, deploying to Iraq or anything) I knew this guy back in 2002 who was in the National Guard and he was spectacularly overweight. I mean just obese as shit. It was surprising so I figure 20 years in the national guard may be a different animal all together.

[cwolff]

Last night CNN's banner headline screamed "Ft Hood Shooter used Semi-Automatic Handgun to Shoot...." I cringed when I saw that because it seems to me that words like semi-automatic cause a lot of people to think of machine gun type weapons.

Now I'm cringing seeing this article. Looks like they're trying to draw a connection to the shop that sold the gun. The word choice seems to lead to certain conclusions too. Definitely pro-gun control. I am willing to vote/support more gun control, but I hate to see it emotionalized too much.


A military official told reporters late Wednesday that Lopez bought the gun locally, and it wasn’t registered with authorities on the base. Since Lopez lived off the post, officials couldn’t compel him to register the firearm.

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/fort-hood-shooting/fort-hood-shooter-bought-weapon-same-gun-shop-tied-2009-n70971

[Taernath]

To non initiated people, the idea that you can 'fire as fast as you can pull the trigger' is scary. Semi auto is up there with other buzzwords like assault rifle, pistol grip, bayonet lug, etc.

[Wrathbringer]

Personally, I blame Ivan Lopez.

I blame Mexicans.

[Taernath]

I blame Mexicans.

Russians sound like they are 50% at fault, here.

[waywardgs]

To non initiated people, the idea that you can 'fire as fast as you can pull the trigger' is scary. Semi auto is up there with other buzzwords like assault rifle, pistol grip, bayonet lug, etc.

This whole problem could be solved if pistols didn't come with pistol grips.

[Taernath]

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2014/04/03/nr-intv-fort-hood-soldier-black-hole.cnn.html

http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/what-the-fuck-man-240x180.jpg

Never interview a fucking private.

[Gelston]

She sounds like a boot ass bitch. Her only experience is Basic Training, wtf does she know? And lol at her complaining about quality of life. My company lived in an open squad bay when I was in 1/1. Her only experience at any other military base was as a dependent.

Sure, flipping burgers will net you more cash money than an E1 or an E2. Until you realize the military also gives you full medical, housing, food, the GI Bill, and it generally looks better on a resume than "McDonalds Employee".

[cwolff]

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2014/04/03/nr-intv-fort-hood-soldier-black-hole.cnn.html

http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/what-the-fuck-man-240x180.jpg

Never interview a fucking private.

What's with CNN and black holes. Did the one that took out the plane move over to Ft. Hood? That's a painful thing to watch. I don't know what's worse. The very serious reporter or the interviewee.

[Gelston]

I'm sure her NCO is going to take a shit all over her after that. I mean, you don't know the name... But you know the color of her car, her voice, and about how long she has been there.

[Taernath]

When I first got in, I thought we were going to be living in bays like in Full Metal Jacket. The worst I had it OCONUS while not on deployment was sharing a large room with 1-2 other dudes with personal areas separated by wall lockers. When I got stateside, I was given a key to a private room with a shared bath. That shit was basically an apartment, and everything I needed was within walking distance. It's like that at every CONUS installation. Fucking quality of life man.

[Tolwynn]

If inmates have it so much better, why doesn't she go get her candy ass thrown in jail, then?

[Wrathbringer]

Russians sound like they are 50% at fault, here.

I wouldn't know. I stopped reading as soon as this thread became "I'm salty!" "I'm salty too! And hardcore!" "Let's share war stories publicly instead of via pm and derail the thread because everyone is more interested in my njp!"

[cwolff]

I wouldn't know. I stopped reading as soon as this thread became "I'm salty!" "I'm salty too! And hardcore!" "Let's share war stories publicly instead of via pm and derail the thread because everyone is more interested in my njp!"

Welcome back. Guess you want some more sea stories. There was this time on Court street....

[Gelston]

I wouldn't know. I stopped reading as soon as this thread became "I'm salty!" "I'm salty too! And hardcore!" "Let's share war stories publicly instead of via pm and derail the thread because everyone is more interested in my njp!"

Then kindly see yourself out of the thread, since you are such a whiny bitch.

[Wrathbringer]

Then kindly see yourself out of the thread, since you are such a whiny bitch.

FINE

[Latrinsorm]

I wouldn't know. I stopped reading as soon as this thread became "I'm salty!" "I'm salty too! And hardcore!" "Let's share war stories publicly instead of via pm and derail the thread because everyone is more interested in my njp!"The military are allowed to tell now. Get with the times, sexy.

[Tgo01]

http://www.cnn.com/video/data/2.0/video/us/2014/04/03/nr-intv-fort-hood-soldier-black-hole.cnn.html

http://weknowmemes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/what-the-fuck-man-240x180.jpg

Never interview a fucking private.

She needs to get her stories straight.

"I blame the command because he wasn't getting the help he needs!"
"According to command he was getting ample help, what more could they have done?"
"Well just because they say that doesn't mean it's true...a lot of people don't want help because they don't want to be called crazy."

Wait, so now you're saying he didn't get help because he didn't want help and this is somehow command's fault?

[Gelston]

There was always an atmosphere in the Marines that going to sick bay meant you wanted to get out of stuff, especially when a field exercise was near. Sometimes the kids absolutely were malingering, sometimes they really were sick. That is with something that is visible, mind you. Did we call bulls hit on some guys claiming PTSD? Yeah, we did. One guy claimed it because he was deployed and a mortar hit somewhere on base no where near him. Did he really get PTSD from that? Who am I to say, some people aren't built of the same stuff as others. Did we look down on him for it? Because of the situation he claimed, yes. He was also a douchebag. However, did he do the right thing if he really was that traumatized and stressed out from that? Absolutely.