"The sentiment across the board right now is that deploying military force against our own communities isn't the kind of national security we signed up for," said Sarah Streyder of the Secure Families Initiative, which represents the interests of military spouses, children and veterans.

"Families are scared not just for their loved ones' safety, although that's a big concern, but also for what their service is being used to justify."

"At a Senate hearing Wednesday, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman retired Lt. Gen. Dan Caine acknowledged that the United States isn't currently facing such a threat.

"I think at this point in time, I don't see any foreign state-sponsored folks invading," Caine said in response to Democratic questioning."