Kurt Schlichter knows how to strike a chord and get the Left fired up. As a veteran, you bet he had opinions about the upcoming execution of the 2009 Fort Hood terrorist, Nidal Hasan. The man killed 13 people and wounded 32 others. It was an act of terrorism that the Obama folks chalked up to workplace violence. The man was radicalized by Anwar al-Awlaki — what are we even doing here? Hasan is set to be executed by a firing squad on December 3. It will be televised, and Col. Schlichter had a good explainer on how to proceed.
I’ll let him do the talking:
ARMY FIRING SQUAD EXPLAINER How will the Army shoot Nidal Hassan? Well, the current regulation doesn’t specify the process. The Provost Marshal General will have to come up with a plan. The plan will have to be approved and survive a court challenge; below is how it was done in the past. If I was advising @PeteHegseth, I would recommend that he direct the Provost Marshal to adapt the old plan with modifications (because that piece of garbage is in wheelchair). I would also do some deeper research to see if these procedures had ever been successfully challenged in court, or better yet, upheld. The plan will undoubtedly provide the basis for one of the frivolous flurry of last minute appeals and petitions designed to keep that trash breathing. Planning considerations will include the large number of witnesses, because victim and next of kin get to be there. I would probably do it out on a remote firing range with berms that would screen it off from outsiders, but where there would be plenty of room for witnesses – maybe even seating. I would be alert to the possibility of drones. I would also consider issuing M14s to the firing squad. A 5.56 mm round would probably do the job but why take any chances? Go with 7.62 mm. I would also see that the firing squad trained, trained and trained again. You want it like clockwork, and if somebody’s going to falter, you want find out before the big day. I would have at least five alternates and an assistant NCOIC. Another challenge would be selecting the firing squad. You’re going to have a lot of people volunteering for it. I would consider providing preferences to soldiers at Fort Hood on the day of the murders. You need to screen out nuts and weirdos, to the extent that @secwar’s policies haven’t already done that. You’re looking for squared away troops who are willing to take on the job because it’s a job that needs to be done; while people wanting a piece of this guy is understandable, this has to be done coldly and professionally. One final note – there’s no Christa Pike problem under the old procedures. If the volley doesn’t kill him, the squad sergeant shoots him in the head with his pistol. He should be issued an 1911A1 .45. Again, maximize the chances of success. I say we stick with tradition.
— Kurt Schlichter (@KurtSchlichter) October 7, 2026
How will the Army shoot Nidal Hassan? Well, the current regulation doesn’t specify the process. The Provost Marshal General will have to come up with a plan. The plan will have to be approved and survive a court challenge; below is how it was done in the past.
If I was advising Pete Hegseth, I would recommend that he direct the Provost Marshal to adapt the old plan with modifications (because that piece of garbage is in wheelchair). I would also do some deeper research to see if these procedures had ever been successfully challenged in court, or better yet, upheld. The plan will undoubtedly provide the basis for one of the frivolous flurry of last minute appeals and petitions designed to keep that trash breathing.
Planning considerations will include the large number of witnesses, because victim and next of kin get to be there. I would probably do it out on a remote firing range with berms that would screen it off from outsiders, but where there would be plenty of room for witnesses – maybe even seating. I would be alert to the possibility of drones.
I would also consider issuing M14s to the firing squad. A 5.56 mm round would probably do the job but why take any chances? Go with 7.62 mm. I would also see that the firing squad trained, trained and trained again. You want it like clockwork, and if somebody’s going to falter, you want find out before the big day. I would have at least five alternates and an assistant NCOIC.
Another challenge would be selecting the firing squad. You’re going to have a lot of people volunteering for it. I would consider providing preferences to soldiers at Fort Hood on the day of the murders. You need to screen out nuts and weirdos, to the extent that secretary of war’s policies haven’t already done that. You’re looking for squared away troops who are willing to take on the job because it’s a job that needs to be done; while people wanting a piece of this guy is understandable, this has to be done coldly and professionally.
One final note – there’s no Christa Pike problem under the old procedures. If the volley doesn’t kill him, the squad sergeant shoots him in the head with his pistol. He should be issued an 1911A1 .45. Again, maximize the chances of success.
I say we stick with tradition.
Well said.