To begin, those entering the service need to be screened for extremist views so that the services do not provide military training to those intent on harming their fellow Americans.Ĭommanders need to be made aware of extremist behavior so that they might recognize it and learn to confront it. These leaders need the tools and training to spot and deal with extremism in the ranks. Ultimately, the war to root out extremism is going to be fought in the trenches by individual military commanders and against specific bad apples. But establishing policies and enforcing them are two different things. And extremism is intrinsically contrary to good order and discipline of military units: effective military leaders should naturally be opposed to individuals who seek to subjugate classes of people, disrespect the rule of law, espouse hatred, and isolate themselves from their communities. DoD-wide and service-specific policies in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps already prohibit extremist activity.
A DoD plan of action with specific milestones is expected at the end of June.ĭefense leaders say there is zero tolerance for extremism in the military.
ROOT OUT FARRIGHT EXTREMISM RANKS CODE
In December, a Defense Department report on diversity issues called for more effectively prohibiting extremist and hate group activity and expanding the Uniform Code of Military Justice to address it. After a Military Times survey of active-duty troops suggested that white supremacy and extremism on the rise, respected former leaders - among them, Marine commandant-turned-national security adviser James Jones - called on the Pentagon to do more. There are hints the military is starting to pay attention again. Like sexual harassment, extremism among the troops may not be reported its pervasiveness may not be evident until one goes looking. Only two studies have been commissioned to look at this problem specifically - one in the active-duty Army and one in the Air National Guard - and both are more than two decades old. But the military also has to tackle the underlying issues at play and do more to understand and address extremism in the service.Īt a strategic level, the military is fighting this battle blind.
The Justice Department is working to hold these individuals accountable, and those actively in the service may face military prosecution. 6, when people serving in the military and veterans were among those who stormed the U.S. The long-simmering problem of extremists among U.S.
0 kommentar(er)
