(File photo)
WASHINGTON (August 20, 2010)—The Department of Defense Friday released its final review of recommendations from an independent report ordered in the wake of the deadly Nov. 5, 2009 shooting rampage at Fort Hood’s Soldier Readiness Center that left 13 dead and more than 30 wounded.
The independent report was released in January and Secretary of Defense Robert Gates said then it "raises serious questions" about the military's ability to cope with security threats within its ranks.
The Pentagon said Friday it will place a priority on implanting recommendations that will strengthen policies and procedures in a number of areas including the education of commanders about the symptoms of potential workplace violence and ensuring them access to appropriate information in personnel files throughout a service member’s career; improvement of information-sharing with partner agencies and among different installations; expansion of the emergency response capabilities of installations, and hiring additional health care providres, especially in the mental health field.
“The tragic shooting of military personnel at Fort Hood in November 2009 underscored the need for the DoD to review its approach to force protection and to broaden its force protection policies, programs, and procedures to go beyond their traditional focus on hostile external threats,” the Pentagon said Friday.
“The follow-on review final report recommends concrete actions across a range of issues that all contribute to the safety and health of our military forces.”
Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, the Fort Hood psychiatrist charged in the deadly shooting, remains in custody in Bell County, awaiting an Article 32 hearing—the equivalent of a civilian grand jury review—that will determine whether he stands trial.
He’s charged with 13 counts of premeditated murder and could receive the death penalty if convicted.
