Update on U.S. Military in Presidio County and responses to a very good letter to my email from a constituent

Hello, everyone

I apologize for the lack of new information here regarding the U.S. Army presence here in Presidio County.

The truth of the matter is that there’s very little, if any, new information to share at this point. I and others have witnessed troops in fatigues around town and a few military vehicles, particularly in Presidio, but with regard to occupation of the airports, ground leases with the County, or really much of anything else I’ve received zero new documents or proposals. It appears as if, at least for the near future, that troops will continue to be housed in local hotels (mostly in Alpine) and there aren’t imminent plans to build base camps at either the Presidio Lely airport or the Marfa Airport.

That being said, I received an email from an active constituent with experience in governmental policy and I’m attaching his email with my best responses to his comments/questions included. My responses are in Italics.

David,

 Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend the County Commissioners meeting tomorrow in Presidio.

 However, below are some of my thoughts, questions and comments that might be helpful as you discuss the issue tomorrow and in the future:

If the type of troops proposed to be stationed here, are actual support troops, they probably do not violate the Posse Comitatus Act. But it dances very close to a violation. A court should probably make that decision. 

This has been brought up by several people; I would hope that if there is a question about this that a party with standing would bring this to the proper venue. Who has standing in a case like this? I don’t know. Also, which court would decide this?

 Based on what I have read and the contacts I have with Border law enforcement officials and Border Patrol agents, no one is aware that a request for assistance has been made.  

I am also not aware of a request but it has been communicated to me that this deployment comes from orders by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and is consistent with President Trump’s border security agenda.

 As we all know, this is a purely political move, troops are not needed here and it a complete waste of taxpayer dollars. As one Border Sheriff told me personally, he has accomplished more with inexpensive game cameras his department purchased than he would have with all the equipment Homeland Security has offered him. Also, I have had Border Patrol agents tell me there are days with limited patrols due to the lack of traffic in this area. 

 If additional land is needed, will the military alert the landowners to the required septic tank permits? And if the military needs the use of private land, will they notify the landowner that non-agriculture use of land could jeopardize their agriculture production valuation exemption and subject the landowner to a 5-year tax rollback penalty?

One thing that was communicated to me, and that I was somewhat shocked by, is that if camps/barracks were/are to be set up all water and sewer services would be trucked in and out; no water or septic systems would be constructed. Additionally, all power would come from portable generators; they would not hook into the electric grid. All services for these facilities are provided to the military from outside private contractors. I have not heard any discussion for the need of land beyond five acres in the Marfa area and three acres in the Presidio area (with regard to Presidio County).

 Will the troops stationed here have background checks performed before being sent here? For example, do any troops have complaints on file against them for sexual harassment, for discrimination against women, racist/antisemitic tattoos or memberships in white nationalist or racist hate groups?

I do not know any answers to these questions. All I know is that the military has its own internal justice system.

 Tattoos are probably a sensitive issue, since our new Secretary of Defense has a tattoo “God’s Will” in Latin on his body. That phrase was one of the chants used at the Virginia riots and is one of the mottos of many of the white nationalist and racist hate groups across the US and worldwide. 

Will soldiers that are stationed here be allowed to have racist or gang tattoos, and if so, are they allowed to display the tattoos while on duty or in public while off duty?  

I am unaware of (but have extremely limited knowledge of all things US military) any restrictions on tattoos.

 If a soldier commits a crime while stationed here, will he/she be transferred  back to their previous base?

My best guess is that if a crime is committed in a public place during off-duty hours most likely that would be handled in the local justice system by the Sheriff’s Office, Texas DPS or City of Marfa/Presidio police. I am unaware of any exemptions military troops have with regard to following civilian laws.

 Military suicide rates and severe depression have increased dramatically the past few years, will mental health treatments be available to soldiers stationed here? 

I certainly would hope that mental health assistance would be provided to any batallion stationed anywhere resources could be provided. 

 Are the soldiers that will be stationed here required to be bilingual?

I can’t imagine that would be a requirement.

 If I remember correctly, Border Counties have been declared a disaster emergency area. If that declaration is still in place, do anti-gouging laws still apply? And if a lodging business charges more than market rates for housing soldiers, would they be subject to the anti-gouging law?

That’s an interesting question. I know that in Presidio County we are still under a local disaster area, as recommended by the Governor’s Office, in order to help facilitate with receiving border security funding for our local law enforcement agencies. Note to the community: the wording using the term “invasion” is no longer part of this order.

 Will a RFP be issued for lodging based on the current DOGE policies or will private contractors or businesses be offered a no-bid contract? And who would approve these contracts? 

I can’t imagine anyone has any idea what the DOGE factor would or could be in this or pretty much any other case…

 Hopefully, some of my questions and comments will be helpful as you work on an agreement for a military occupation of Presidio County.

Thank you! I think about it every single day and I promise once again to post any confirmable updated information here on this notebook. - David Beebe