Fort Hood is the largest U.S. Army base in the world. And many across the country are concerned for people living and working on that base. Names of the shooting victims are being withheld until families are contacted first. But many are picking up the phone to find out what they can on their own.   
>> Sergeant first Class Dave Zerbe has been in the Army for 35 years. And has been deployed overseas 6 times. I sat down with him to find out what this massacre means for soldiers and him. 

>> REPORTER: As the SWAT team was reacting to the Soldier Readiness Center at Fort Hood soldiers were getting word of the horror from each other. And when Sgt. Zerbe found out fellow soldiers were being shot and killed he thought of his friend who is a guard at Fort Hood. 

>>SFC. DAVE ZERBE: So the first thing I did was pick up my cell phone and call him and thankfully he picked up the phone and answered it. 

>> REPORTER: That was the first indication his friend was okay. 

>> ZERBE: I'm on leave this week I said thank God you know that you're safe I'm glad you picked up the phone. I was extremely worried about him. 

>> REPORTER: Zerbe explained how the Army was checking on everyone including his friend. 

>> ZERBE: When something like this happens at a post like Fort Hood is they do a roll call they'll start calling their soldiers. 

>> REPORTER: The Soldier Readiness Center is not usually a place where soldiers go armed. Zerbe says soldiers go there before they are deployed for things like immunizations and life insurance. 

>> ZERBE: All those checks and balances to make sure the soldier is going to be okay when he or she goes overseas and that the family is being taken care of at home. 

>> REPORTER: Thursday afternoon a gunman took those soldiers before they went to war. 

>> ZERBE: They're feeling this ain't suppose to happen here this don't happen here. 

>> REPORTER: But it did and that shock is still sinking in. 

>> ZERBE: I'm just glad my friend is safe but I do put my heart out to the families that lost loved ones today.

>> REPORTER: The base is no longer on lockdown but is on a heightened level of security until they can be sure no threats remain. Federal agents have been brought in to help with the investigation. Friday will be an official day of mourning at Fort Hood.

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