Articles by Brad Carr- 2nd Force Reconnaissance Commanding Officer March 14, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Risk & Risk Management, weapons and tactics.Tags: 2nd force recon, airborne, brad carr, Chris Mark, HAHO, HALO, USMC, weapons and tactics
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I received a call from an old friend last night. I served with Brad Carr years ago when we were both young, enlisted Marines. Brad is the former CO of 2nd Force Reconnaissance Company and served with Her Majesty’s Royal Marines. has recently completed a Command course and his Masters Degree in Military Science. As we were rehashing old days, he sent me a few articles he had published. I am republishing (with his permission) his articles here because they are interesting reading. Additionally, they should assuage any concerns that Marines are simply knuckle dragging meat-heads 😉 Congrats to Major Carr on his accomplishments!
Playing in Mogadishu – The Dangers of False Security and the Value of Situational Awareness February 23, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Risk & Risk Management, weapons and tactics.Tags: Chris Mark, cybersecurity, mark consulting group, security, situational awareness, USMC, weapons
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UPDATE: This is a great video that shows the difficulty in reacting with a concealed weapon. Let me be clear, I am a proponent of the 2nd Amendment but I think that people place too much trust in their firearms without proper training.
Recently, I was discussing gun laws and other issues with some gentlemen with whom I used to work. I live in a state (Utah) that has very liberal gun laws and a LOT of people who carry concealed firearms. A short 4 hour class with no proficiency testing any adult that is a US Citizen without a felony can carry a concealed weapon in Utah. This is a scary proposition to many (including me). The men were talking with full confidence about how they feel more safe with their guns. They referenced a few situations in which some woman had been assaulted and stated with full confidence that if the women had been armed, the assault would not have occurred. I explained to them that it is more important to have situational awareness than it is to have a weapon. (more…)
Part 2: Vetting Security Companies & Their Principals February 15, 2012
Posted by Chris Mark in Risk & Risk Management.Tags: Chris Mark, Maritime Security, mark consulting group, markconsultinggroup.com, Navy SEALs, POW, Purple Heart, USMC
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As I read Kevin Doherty’s questions for vetting security companies, I felt compelled to add some additional commentary. It is important to really do your due diligence on the principals of security companies. It is the leadership that will define the ethics, and attitude of the organization. If the owner is prone to dishonesty or misrepresentations then the staff is likely to follow their lead. Unfortunately, in the high risk world of maritime security (and other security) the fallout can cost more than money. In a very real sense, lives can be lost.
Updated Whitepaper; Weapons & Tactics in the Prevention of Hijackings December 19, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Piracy & Maritime Security, Uncategorized.Tags: Chris Mark, Maritime Security, mark consulting group, niger delta, Piracy & Maritime Security, Somalia, tactics, USMC, weapons
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Originally I named this paper “Weapons and Tactics in the Prevention of Piracy” but in retrospect the title was incorrect. Piracy is a multi-dimensional problem that could refer to a single act “The ship was pirated” or a larger geopolitical issue: “Somalia leads the world in piracy”. Weapons and tactics are simply tools that can be used to delay or prevent a single act. For this reason, I renamed the paper. You can download and read the paper here.
Bosnia & Scott O’Grady December 2, 2011
Posted by Chris Mark in Uncategorized.Tags: maritime piracy, Maritime Security, Scott OGrady, USMC
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I recently came across a former Marine Reservist who was claiming to have helped save Captain Scott O’Grady. To remind everyone, Scott O’Grady was the F16 pilot who was shot down in Bosnia in 1995. He evaded capture for a week or so and was rescued by the Marines.
I read this bio and thought…”this doesn’t seem right”. As any military vet from any service can tell you, it is often not too difficult to pick out a fraud. Anyhow, he claims to have helped save Scott O’Grady in 1995 while with the 22 Marine Expeditionary Unit, Special Operations Capable (MEU SOC). Here is where the story breaks down.
Marines deploy in MEUs. In short, a battalion of Marines and their support will jump on ships and float around either the Mediterranean or Western Pacific (or elsewhere) for about 6 months at a time doing training or supporting missions. It is a way of life in the Fleet Marine Force. Your world revolves around ‘floats’. So, the 22 MEU floated from Oct 20, 1994 – April 15, 1995. They were replaced by the 24 MEU. It just so happens that I served with the MEU CO and Battalion SGTMajor in Somalia in the previous deployment of the 24 MEU. Captain Scott O’Grady was rescued in June, 1995 by the 24 MEU as Colonel Burndt was the CO. In short, the 22 MEU was back home on leave when Scott O’Grady was rescued. More bizarre is I have a picture taken in Hawaii while doing amphibious exercises in June, 1995. I question how he could have been in K Bay with the unit during the day and then rescuing Scott O’Grady in Bosnia at night? Maybe I am simply not ‘high speed’ enough to understand.
In today’s world, there are many people who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan. There are others who want to appear ‘larger than life’ and will attempt to embellish their records to achieve some level of ‘credibility’. Always question the military service of the person with whom you are speaking. You may find out that it is not quite what has been told.
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