Marine father stands watch at Nashville elementary school

[MBGCock]

http://www.wsmv.com/story/20378185/m...mentary-school

NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
In the wake of the Newtown, CT, shooting, many parents are wondering what they can do to keep their children safe at school.



That is why one Nashville father decided that if anyone was going to keep watch of his kids and their teachers, it would be him.
With no armed police and no metal detectors at Gower Elementary, there is just Staff Sgt. Jordan Pritchard.
"I feel like this is something I had to do," he said.

[chapincock]

Badass. Wish he didn't catch any trouble over it but I'd say he is still serving his country in an honorable way, I know a lot of people probably think a marine standing in front of our schools is bad publicity, but sadly it might not be a bad thing.

[MBGCock]

Originally Posted by chapincock

Badass. Wish he didn't catch any trouble over it but I'd say he is still serving his country in an honorable way, I know a lot of people probably think a marine standing in front of our schools is bad publicity, but sadly it might not be a bad thing.

Yeah, Im not sure what to think of this.

[FlorenceCock]

Originally Posted by chapincock

Badass. Wish he didn't catch any trouble over it but I'd say he is still serving his country in an honorable way, I know a lot of people probably think a marine standing in front of our schools is bad publicity, but sadly it might not be a bad thing.

Well he is breaking many military laws doing it. That is a work uniform that he is wearing and it is never to be worn off of base. I can't understand how he ever considered doing this as it is drilled into your head constantly while on active duty. I know guys that got into big time trouble for just getting out of their vehicle to go into a gas station to get something to drink on their way home wearing their utility uniforms.

[USCBatgirl21]

So he wore that uniform on Monday. Did he wear his dress uniform the other days of the week?

[chapincock]

Originally Posted by FlorenceCock

Well he is breaking many military laws doing it. That is a work uniform that he is wearing and it is never to be worn off of base. I can't understand how he ever considered doing this as it is drilled into your head constantly while on active duty. I know guys that got into big time trouble for just getting out of their vehicle to go into a gas station to get something to drink on their way home wearing their utility uniforms.

I know its a really big no no and the more I think about it, the more I dislike it. I used to joke around back in highschool about how the would have watchtowers and armed guards on every corner of the school 10 years after I graduated, well graduated 7 years ago, and at this rate that joke might turn out to not be very funny.

[FloydTheBarber]

I'm honestly surprised the school district isn't bitching about him doing this.

Typically that would have been the case in the past.

[GamecockUltimate]

really you arn't allowed to wear uniform off base, is that just a marine thing?

[The Yancey]

Very bad idea. You don't want your cops fighting your wars and you don't want your soldiers being your cops. Different training, skill sets, and permissions.

[chapincock]

Originally Posted by GamecockUltimate

really you arn't allowed to wear uniform off base, is that just a marine thing?

Not unless you are on your way to or from a military function.

[FloydTheBarber]

Originally Posted by The Yancey

Very bad idea. You don't want your cops fighting your wars and you don't want your soldiers being your cops. Different training, skill sets, and permissions.

Agreed.

Though the militarization of our police force has started to blur the line, but thats a discussion for the PF.

[catdaddy66]

Originally Posted by The Yancey

Very bad idea. You don't want your cops fighting your wars and you don't want your soldiers being your cops. Different training, skill sets, and permissions.

Bad idea born from exasperation. I credit him with doing something, anything that may be helpful to that school. And he did swear to protect our citizens from enemies (terrorists), both foreign AND domestic.

Thumbs up on the effort but could've been better on the execution.

[spareparts]

Sadly, budget cutting has slashed the numbers of police available for school resource duties.

These were great positions because the officers used to really connect with the students and lots of good comes from it besides safety. Not to mention, it makes the parents, students and teachers feel safer even if it's just a single officer. Sometimes creating an atmosphere of safety can help a tough school.

But I am not so sure we need to pass this responsibility on to military. Even if it's just symbolic.

But then again, a counterpoint would be: if we're protecting schools in other countries, why not our own?

[FloydTheBarber]

Originally Posted by spareparts

Sadly, budget cutting has slashed the numbers of police available for school resource duties.

These were great positions because the officers used to really connect with the students and lots of good comes from it besides safety. Not to mention, it makes the parents, students and teachers feel safer even if it's just a single officer. Sometimes creating an atmosphere of safety can help a tough school.

But I am not so sure we need to pass this responsibility on to military. Even if it's just symbolic.

But then again, a counterpoint would be: if we're protecting schools in other countries, why not our own?

Because its illegal.

[Lalli25]

Originally Posted by chapincock

Not unless you are on your way to or from a military function.

Though, I know that is the technical rule, you definitely see it violated a lot in the DC area. Just like they are not suppose to hold hands with a women when in that attire, but you will see men and women heading into the home depot holding hands while one or the other is in this attire.

[Mick Chicken]

Originally Posted by spareparts

Sadly, budget cutting has slashed the numbers of police available for school resource duties.

These were great positions because the officers used to really connect with the students and lots of good comes from it besides safety. Not to mention, it makes the parents, students and teachers feel safer even if it's just a single officer. Sometimes creating an atmosphere of safety can help a tough school.

But I am not so sure we need to pass this responsibility on to military. Even if it's just symbolic.

But then again, a counterpoint would be: if we're protecting schools in other countries, why not our own?

Which leads to the point of spending/budgeting...

1. Are the school districts making the correct expenditures
2. What areas could be cut in order to make these possible
3. What is the importance being placed on the overall safety of our schools..

[Mr.101]

Well this is turning political

[spareparts]

Originally Posted by Mick Chicken

Which leads to the point of spending/budgeting...

1. Are the school districts making the correct expenditures
2. What areas could be cut in order to make these possible
3. What is the importance being placed on the overall safety of our schools..

I wonder if we've taken that for granted since Columbine shock wore off.

[MBGCock]

Originally Posted by Mr.101

Well this is turning political

shhhh.

but I did get my wondering settled. so move if need be mod.

[chapincock]

Originally Posted by Lalli25

Though, I know that is the technical rule, you definitely see it violated a lot in the DC area. Just like they are not suppose to hold hands with a women when in that attire, but you will see men and women heading into the home depot holding hands while one or the other is in this attire.

I know it. My old roomate is national guard, we talked about the whole uniform deal. He would always call on his way home from drill to see if we needed groceries or anything. I'm sure some units are very strict and some a little more lax.