Once again the good folks at Fort Hood, Texas, are hurting over another shooting incident on the installation. Let’s keep them in our prayers. A memorial service is planned for Wednesday.

U.S. Army Specialist Ivan Lopez killed three soldiers and wounded 16 others at Fort Hood last week. Then he killed himself.

It’s been reported that Lopez “had argued with the Army about leave benefits, including time off last year to attend his mother’s funeral in his native Puerto Rico. Just before the shooting, there was another argument with a soldier over paperwork for another leave request.”

Taking leave (vacation) that you have earned in the military is extremely important, but like most things in the military, there’s no guarantee that you can take leave when you want to because the mission comes first. The mission always comes first.

Back in my days in the military (Air Force), I denied leave for some folks I supervised, and I was denied leave for various reasons – such as for the mission. One of the final times I was denied leave was when my son was born by emergency caesarian section. I had requested 10 days of leave. My son was placed in pediatric intensive care for various health reasons. My very ignorant supervisor at that time decided I did not deserve time off, so I went up the chain of command and was granted leave. That was after I threatened to contact the Red Cross or my elected officials for help in getting emergency leave. Let’s just say I was not on a “favorite list” for quite some time after that.

It’s also been reported that Lopez “was disappointed that it took about five days for his 24-hour leave to be approved by the military” to travel to Puerto Rico for his mother’s funeral. It was also reported that he “was undergoing treatment for mental health issues.”

I don’t know if a denied leave request was the final straw or not; hopefully we will find out more as the investigation is completed. If it was, it did not have to be that way.

With this latest shooting, the debate to let everyone be armed has resurfaced. Some believe that allowing military and civilian personnel working on military bases to carry their own firearms is the answer. I don’t think it is. I do believe that having more armed military police on duty might help – but that costs money, and since Congress can’t agree on anything don’t look for them to approve more money to protect our military personnel and their families.

One idea brought up by Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mike McCaul (R-TX) has merit in my opinion. He suggested allowing officers and senior enlisted people to carry a weapon while working on base. I could see them reporting to the base armory to obtain a weapon they are qualified to carry at the start of their duty day, and turning it back in at the end of the day. The folks working other times (evenings/nights) would do the same. Many of these personnel would also have to go through additional training, but it would be worth it if they stopped a threat.

I can’t see allowing them to use their own personal weapons – as you would probably have people coming to work armed with small caliber pistols up to Mark 19 grenade launchers.

One thing is for sure: something needs to be done quickly to ensure the safety of our military personnel.

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