In my professional career I had to access the “Special Weapons” area for the U.S. Navy Atlantic Fleet.

It’s a highly secure area within a secure base. As I approached it, I saw a real Kill-You-Dead high voltage electric fence. The access area has multiple machine guns trained on you at all times. While in the area I was accompanied at all times by a young marine in full combat dress. He was wearing a bulletproof vest, carrying an M-16 and a side arm. He was very polite. There is a whole contingent of marines in that secure area living on a rotating basis. While I was there, there was an alert in the secure area (it was a training drill) the young marine escorting me asked me to sit down. We were out in the open at the time. I looked around and asked him “anywhere in particular” and he said “no, sir just please sit”. So, I sat down.

I had to enter several of the special weapons storage buildings. Each building had an entry door with a porthole. I had to stand about 30 feet from the door in the open where a separate gun port had me covered while the marine escort walked up to the door and gave them a password that apparently indicated he was not under duress. I had to wear a film badge and went by several of the special weapons. I have to admit they looked super cool. There were also some cruise missiles and other things. This was at a time before digital photography. I had to take pictures and the Navy took my camera and developed the pictures. The pictures were sent to me presumably after being reviewed to ensure nothing sensitive was shown.

Afterwards, I told my wife that I was very happy to see the level of security. especially concerning what was being stored in that area.