New Hegseth Order Lets Troops Carry Personal Firearms on Base - Military.com

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has issued a new order permitting service members to carry personal firearms on military bases, a significant reversal of decades of restriction. The policy change removes longstanding regulations that have prohibited troops from possessing privately owned weapons in barracks and other base facilities. The order aligns with Hegseth's stated priorities around military readiness and personnel autonomy, though it represents a departure from post-Cold War security protocols designed to prevent unauthorized weapons access on installations. The change will likely affect housing policies, base security procedures, and command structures across all service branches. Implementation details and specific guidance for commanders are expected to follow as the military adapts to the new directive.