Why the terror attack in Chattanooga should serve as wake up call to our schools.

     The recent attack in Chattanooga TN should serve as a wake up call not only to our local schools but also to all schools across the nation. As you should be aware, ISIS has made their intentions clear that they are targeting our military without regard to where and when. In the mind of an ISIS fighter or a Lone Wolf inspired by ISIS, our military is target number one. It is no secret that they have been trying and have had success in the past, but this most recent attack has me very concerned, especially when it comes to our schools.

     Why, well consider this. Military personnel are in our schools and higher education facilities each and everyday during the school year looking for the next recruits to join the ranks in one of our military branches. This is a great practice and should be continued, however, at this point we now need to stop and consider how strong our school security really is when it comes to recruiting trips in our schools. It is really hard to say what if any standard there is when it comes to time frames when recruiters are on school grounds, but this much is certain, anyone who is planning an attack against our military has certainly done their homework and due diligence when it comes to reconnaissance. They are going to know where and when their intended targets are in position and what will give them the best pathway to a high casualty count. Again, we should not stop recruiting in our schools; if we did then that would be a victory for those wanting to change our way of life.  Even if we suspended recruiting on school grounds, those wanting to cause harm would simply wait us out and plan an attack after a certain amount of time.

      So what then should or could be done to help prevent this type of attack. While it is extremely difficult to predict a lone wolf or terror type of attack, there are a few things that could be done help to minimize the opportunity. Listed below are some suggestions for schools and universities to consider.

•  Educational Institutions should consider coordinating with Recruiters set days each week and times during the day that recruiters can be on school grounds.

• By doing so, the opportunity for an attack could be greatly reduced and casualties prevented.
• These set times should also rotate from week to week so that no patterns form. This would be important so that if a potential attacker were doing any reconnaissance, it would make their planning more difficult.
• Both parties need to involve local law enforcement of those times and law enforcement should be on grounds as well, not only as a visible presence but also as a quick response if needed.
• Local Law Enforcement, being Sheriffs Office, City, Township, Municipality, even the School Resource Officer should be made aware and someone present.
• Coordination of information needs to be shared from the Federal Government down to all levels.
• Any and all recruiting meetings should be held and conducted at a location on grounds that are separated from the main body of the school.
• This will help to minimize the number of potential targets.
• In addition, if an attack were to take place, the attacker would be further isolated and should be easier to spot.
• The meetings should take place where surveillance technology is in use as to better document any attack or potential attempted attack.
• A risk assessment should also be conducted where the recruiting meeting will be conducted.  As with the meeting times being and days being rotated, so should the sites where the meetings are held.  Again this will help to keep the would be attacker guessing and make them do more reconnaissance work and possibly create a chance for them to make a mistake and expose their plot.

Again, it is extremely difficult to predict and prevent a lone wolf or terror attack, especially at soft targets like our schools. That does not mean that we change our way of life or stop a practice that has probably benefitted many of our nations youth. Vigilance, smart planning, greater coordination, teamwork will be the keys to staying safer. We can do this, but we have to at our best and we have to be prepared for this threat against our military and our schools.