We were down there (North Fort Hood) in January for a weekend "Campout" on the base with our Scout troop. We got to sleep in a couple of barracks One for Scouts, one for Male Adults and one for Female adults - BSA policy - Youth and adults are not mixed in sleeping quarters, and of course males and females never are unless they're married and in their own tent. We were host by the 181st Chemical Company 2nd Platoon. We got to eat with the Platoon at the dining halls (on South Ft Hood where the shooting occurred) on the base, tour an Apache helicopter maintenance hanger (with Apache helicopters in the hanger), tour the First Cav Museum, participate in a night vision exercise, be woken up at 5:30am and watch the Lt, and Spc assign to stay with us all weekend, roust the boys out of their racks (by walking down the barracks banging on the metal foot lockers at the end of the bed), and having them fall out for PT, and watching and helping the Platoon make smoke (one of their reasons for existing). Other than the early morning PT on Sat, and Sun the boys (and Adults) had a blast. It is still being talked about as one the best campouts the troop has had in many years.

We were in Howze theater (which was used after the shooting to treat victims) for a presentation from the then III Corps and Ft Hood Deputy Command Brig. Gen. McDonald. Gen. McDonald came in and eschewing the flag draped podium that the staff went to all the trouble to setup, all the ceremony they had planned for his arrival, and stayed down on the floor with us and talked directly to the Scouts, about the Army life and took questions directly from the Scouts. He extended his stay long enough to allow many many pictures to be taken with him and the Scouts.

When we were at North Fort Hood, and the soldiers there were carrying their weapons (M16's) with them every where the would go. When we asked about this the Lt, told us they were reservists training for deployment and had to carry them with them at all times as they did their training during the day. We didn't see this at South Fort Hood, and I have no idea if they were also loaded or carrying ammunition with them.