First responders use a table as a stretcher to transport a wounded Soldier to an awaiting ambulance at Fort Hood, Texas, Nov. 5. Photo Credit: Sgt. Jason R. Krawczyk.

Vowing to draw strength from a tragic shooting Thursday at one of the nation’s largest military posts, Army Chief of Staff Gen. George Casey admitted the Fort Hood incident in Texas was “a kick in the gut”.

“I’ve asked our leaders to come together behind the victims, their families and the Fort Hood community,” Casey remarked at a Nov. 6th press conference. “I’ve asked them to examine their force protection measures, and to take appropriate action. I’ve asked them to keep their soldiers informed and not rush to judgement until the investigation is completed, and I’ve asked them to stay focused on their mission.”

The suspect, Army Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, is believed to be the lone shooter responsible for the deaths of 12 soldiers, 1 civilian and wounding 30 at the 340 square mile installation.

Located about 60 miles northeast of Austin, Fort Hood is the Army’s “premiere installation to train and deploy heavy forces,” according to the military. It is the only post in the United States capable of stationing and training two Armored Divisions.

According to Army Lt. Gen. Robert Cone, the shooting occurred at approximately 1:30 pm Central Time at Fort Hood’s Soldier Family Readiness Center.

Casey said he was proud of the stories of heroism and courage on display during the incident.

“I heard stories about medics who were sitting in a graduation in the building next door, hearing the gunfire and running to the sounds of the guns because they knew there would be wounded, in their caps and gowns,” Casey remarked. “I talked to a young private who was sitting in his pickup truck in the parking lot, who heard gunshots, went back after his buddies. And, with the help of others, dragged four badly wounded individuals into his pickup truck and drove them to the emergency room, saving their lives.”

Army Secretary John McHugh said the investigation would need to be completed before a recommendation on a course of action to address the shooting could be determined.

“We have a suspect, we have terrible crimes that have been alleged,” McHugh said. “We have to understand what caused that suspect to act in the way in which he did, and then drive back from that programs that can make a difference and hopefully alleviate the opportunity for that occurring again.”

As investigators examine Hasan’s actions and what led up to the shooting, some question whether the Army is stretched too thin and whether it provides adequate resources for identifying and treating combat stress.

In response to a question from the media, Casey noted there is no question that Army resources are stretched.

“However, we’re 40,000 soldiers larger than we were 2 1/2 years ago,” Casey said. “We’re 70,000 soldiers larger than we were five years ago. And the growth and the development of the Army that’s taken place over the last five years has put us in a much better position.”

Casey referred to a $125 million program called the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness  which was started October 1st.

“There’s an online survey that soldiers can go online right now and take, and thousands of them have already done it,” Casey said. “It connects them to self-help modules, and this whole program is a long-term development program to help them build resilience, to give them the strength to deal with the adversity that they’re going to be confronted with over the next several years.”

Big 3 News discussed this topic during a Nov. 7 live feed broadcast.

Watch the Big 3 News Fort Hood discussion below:

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