Following the 2015 Chattanooga shootings at a strip mall military recruitment center and a Navy Operational Support Center in Tennessee , Oath Keepers and other militia groups began organizing armed gatherings outside of recruiting centers in several states , with the stated objective of providing protection to service members , who were barred from carrying weapons while on duty in civilian recruitment centers . In response , the Army Command Operations Center Security Division issued a letter ordering soldiers not to interact with or acknowledge armed civilians outside of recruitment centers , and that " If questioned by these alleged concerned citizens , be polite , professional and terminate the conversation immediately and report the incident to local law enforcement , " noting that while the issuing officer is " sure the citizens mean well , but we can not assume this in every case and we do not want to advocate this behavior "
2015 Chattanooga shootings
2015 Chattanooga shootings
Oath Keepers