White House Security

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue

Washington, D. C.

I know that the above picture is not of the White House. It is the current U. S. Navy Ship which bears the name USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53). During my U. S. Navy Career I served on the USS John Paul Jones (DDG 32). During that period of time I often stood Inport Quarterdeck Watches. In addition to maintaining a proper and safe mooring of the ship to the pier, the Officer of the Deck and the Petty Officer of the Watch were charged with insuring the Security of the Ship and the Crew.

To that end we knew when we were expecting visitors and their names. If a visitor approached us at the end of the brow (the walkway from the pier to the ship) that was not on any list we would ascertain who they desired to see/visit. The Messenger of the Watch would then accompany them to the appropriate individual.

Sounds simple enough. Every day, thousands of dedicated Sailors still protect our U. S. Navy Ships as they stand watch while they are in port throughout the World.

Now, reflect back a few days ago when a couple crashed a gala State Dinner at our Nation's White House. I get the impression that the party crashers were not on any guest list. No one was assigned to accompany them to the White House interior. Of course, in the course of protecting our President and the First Family as well as the Honored Guest from India it would appear to me that if one was not on the approved guest list that they should have been refused admittance to the State Dinner. Simple enough. Yet the party crashers suceeded in gaining entry into the White House. Certainly a break down in the security system. I am also sure that there were more than two people who were vetting the guest list and checking out the attendees.

What a tragic, senseless loss. Here we possibly have the most important House Party in the World and too many people dropped the ball so to speak. The crafty party crashers were properly dressed and even wore "India style garb" to gain access to this State Dinner.

Now our U. S. Congress will waste far too much time investigating this Party Crasher Event when they should be focused on the problems that face our Country. The White House Security situation can quickly be solved by requiring that the Guest List Czar provide an accurate list to the Staff who are vetting the attendees prior to their admission to the Party/White House.

Sounds very simple to me, yet an effective way to resolve the problem/issue.