Gang Members Get Trained in the Army

New American Media ^ | March 9, 2008 | Claudia Núñez

[Clintonfatigued]

While hundreds of Mexican soldiers are deserting the army to join drug trafficking gangs, California is facing the opposite problem: A growing number of gang members here have infiltrated the U.S. Armed Forces in order to receive military training.

The numbers speak for themselves: In 2003 there were just 16 incidents of gang members in the U.S. Armed Forces, while in 2006 the total was 10,309, according to the study, "Gang-Related Activity in the U.S. Armed Forces Increasing," released in 2007 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Twenty-two official entities, including the Los Angeles Police Department, participated in the report.

This study, classified as sensitive and meant for use by official agencies, reveals the presence of street gangs like the Mexican Mafia (EME), the Mara Salvatrucha, Hells Angels, The 18th Street Gang, the Norteños, the Sureños, as well as various supremacist groups on military bases.

[Clintonfatigued]

Veterans are best qualified to comment on this.

[Commander8]

A serious problem for the security of the country and the safety of our streets.

[Obadiah]

Okay, I’ll comment. When I served drugs were a big problem in the military. They came down hard on drug use. They had better swiftly crack down hard on gang activity, or suspected gang activity!

[JerseyHighlander]

This happened quite often Roman territories in the 2nd and 3rd century AD.
Legion veterans would either become lawmen/security or brigands/bandits. Most were predisposed to one life or the other by situations prior to their induction into the legions.

[Cicero]

Worrying. It seems to me that it depends on where their final loyalties are: to their gangs, or to their new country and their fellow soldiers.

There is a tradition of taking juvenile delinquents or some kinds of criminals into the military and making men of them, at least there used to be. The Foreign Legion was most famous for that, but the US Military has done it, at least in the past.

What the present situation is, I have no idea.

[stompk]

I think chances are higher of them coming right, than returning “combat trained” thugs. chances are a little self pride and a little recognition for what a work ethic can do, and they might just get out. At least they’ll get away. for some, it might be their first view of another life. a little cash, a little self respect, could be a good thing for them.

I really have a hard time seeing them going back and gunning down rival gangs with “Fallujah tactics” - personally.

[longtermmemmory]

seems california is becoming the gutter of the USA.

[Clintonfatigued]

“seems california is becoming the gutter of the USA.”

If homeschooling does become illegal, is there any chance of a mass exodous from the state?

[do not press 2 for spanish]

“The game’s afoot, Watson...” - Sherlock Holmes

[Michael Barnes]

Back when I joined in 1989, the Corps had its share of gang bangers within its ranks. There were only a few that I witnessed that did not shed their "ways". I think part of that was due to those Marines serving in relative proximity to where they came from (In this case, Pendleton, they were close to L.A, Long Beach and San Diego). They should have been shipped off to Lejeune.

At any rate, I don't believe it is the propensity to use ones training after getting out, it should be better screening prior to letting assholes who have no intentions of changing their ways into our ranks (I tend to believe I was an asshole who ran across kind, compassionate and caring Drill Instructors who cultivated my self being into being a productive human being with a size 11 boot up my ass; but that's just me.)

[BenLurkin]

Barbarians are as barbarians do.

[The KG9 Kid]

Guns should only be in the hands of law enforcement and the military.

--- A liberal idiot.

[Cicero]

As long as they don’t put a number of gang members in the same unit, I think you’re right. Gangs are a way of proving your manhood, but in the military you can learn another, better way.

I had a PhD student who was the warlord of a Hispanic gang in the South Bronx before he became principal of a high school in the South Bronx and then went back to get his PhD.

His earlier career qualified him well to educate tough kids.

[Loud Mime]

seems california is becoming the gutter of the USA.

Graffiti is on the rise and is not being covered like it used to be. Reelect Villarigosa!

[max americana]

I read one article 2 years ago that highlighted a Marine sargeant who had gang ties with a local L.A. Crip affiliate, and his subordinate was a Mexican gang leader as well.

Together, they fought in the Al Anbar province when it was still lawless, and they used their gang “experience/tactics” to subdue the insurgents. Eventually, both of them got bronze stars and even though there was a blood feud between their gangs back in L.A, they were able to co-exist.

But then again, you could compare this situation to ex- Air Force pilots from WW2 who eventually formed Hells Angels when they were discharged.

[The_Republican]

Wow! So much motivation, yet only ambition is to be a low-life thug.

[Michael Barnes]

Grrr...to quick to hit post twice..

Wanted to note, met a few "bangers" in boot who became Sergeant within four in the Corps. Completely changed outlooks. Quite a few more were E4's (quite easy to do in four if you keep your act straight and are squared away). Bottom line, their may be bangers in the services, but I doubt they all can actively flaunt it. As well, there are some serious "white power" Aryans within the ranks; don't hear many stories about them.

[jude24]

There have been confirmed sightings of MS-13 graffiti in Iraq, which suggests gang infiltration into the military. It’s a problem the Army, at least, is taking very seriously.

[beericus]

When i was in the Navy, on board the BIG E. I served with more then a comfortable amount of gang members, with the tattoos to prove it. That is half the reason i got out!! And drugs were a problem then too. 94-97

[Eagles6]

"The National Gang Task Force reports that from 2003 to 2006, the Army investigated more than 100 cases of crimes that involved soldiers related to the most dangerous gangs in the country."

Probably a fraction of what occurs weekly in any LA high school or neighborhood. This article is a liberal hack job not worth commenting on.

[Anti-Bubba182]

Look for Gang Tattoos and don’t let them in.

[Clintonfatigued]

Drugs were a major problem throughout the country during the 1990’s, more so than now.

[levotb]

Rumsfeld (who signed this order) should be drawn and quartered for allowing this to happen. And I believe this is an impeachable offense for Bush.

I saw this coming years ago when I first heard about it. Gang members, illegals most of them, being promised citizenship if they go thru the Armed Forces...Unbelievable.

[levotb]

Where is the Congress? Where is Congressional oversight? Too busy running for re-election...

[levotb]

The Pentagon—our military leaders—care not one iota for the safety and well being of U.S. citizens in the U.S.? Why? Because training gang bangers in the military and making them citizens where they will return to “civilian life” when they’re finished their prescribed terms puts us ALL in peril! It’s like a trojan horse—only Bush and Rumsfeld and likely others in the Pentagon dreamed this insanity up, and they should be held accountable for the consequences.

[Sawdring]

You need to watch Gangland : Basic Training on the History Channel. It was all about gangs in the military.

[Clemenza]

Nothing new. Many "made men" earned their bones via distributing booze, dope, and broads while wearing a uniform back in the day.

Still, we need to cut down on this BS pronto. Problem is, you can't just bounce somebody out unless they are caught engaging in criminal activity.

[Clemenza]

Really? The meth epidemic is an '00s phenomenon.

Recreational drug use was at its highest in the 1970s. It has ebbed and flowed since then.

BTW: Unless you homeschool, there ARE DRUGS AT YOUR CHILD's SCHOOL! Yes, even at my Catholic high school, we had the stoner and "beautiful people" types who scored the best sh-t. Of course, my weakness is for cigars and single malt, not Bolivian dancing dust.

[levotb]

Clemenza

Maybe it seems as if nothing’s new...Remember how famed fighter/criminal Rocky Graziano was booted out of the Army for punching out his sergeant, etc.? Well, there’s a difference between that and illegal alien gang members. Rocky was an American citizen...these thugs are not...or I should say, “were not”...

[Clemenza]

All fine and dandy, but many noncitizens have served in the US Army, many with distinction, others with more nefarious intents, since day one.

[levotb]

I tried that link to Gangland, but it involves RSS and I don’t understand “how” to get to see those two episodes on gangs in our military.

[levotb]

No, NOT “fine and dandy”!! People have been murderers “since Day 1”, so does that excuse or relieve Bush and Rumsfeld of their responsibility over this? Two of our American servicemen have been killed by gangs in the Army/Marines. That’s blood on both their hands.

[Ramius]

Nonsense. What happened... You get lost on your way to KOS?

Gang members joining the military isn’t exactly new. Further... A military trained gangbanger isn’t necessarily more of a risk than he was before. They already know how to shoot guns and they already have the willingness to do so. The tactics learned in the military may be helpful but only in really, really limited circumstances.

Just as likely the gangbanger is going to see what else there is in the world to aspire to. He’ll meet people that are a life-changing influence. Often as not I would bet the military will have a very positive influence. Some of these bangers will get out of gangs because of their service. Otherwise none of them will.

I’ll take those odds.

[dragnet2]

seems california is becoming the gutter of the USA.

This is just another ignorant CS slam on California.

Do you understand that some of these gangs originated from Salvadorian illegal aliens and some other Central Americans countries? Members can be found in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Nevada, Miami Florida, Texas, California, Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, Maryland and many other states. Not to mention they are now in other countries.

For years Bush has stood down at the border rolling out the red carpet for tens of millions of illegal aliens, and while he was celebrating Cinco De Mayo up in the White House, he implied Americans are bigots and were too lazy to work...All this while his press spokesperson in an attempt to minimize this violent lawless invasion, suggested millions entering America illegally can be compared to a minor traffic violation.

Now would you suggest that the occupants of the White House have caused the White House to become the gutter of the USA? Or does that not fit into your agenda?

[TopQuark]

Veterans are best qualified to comment on this.

Why? It's not a military issue. When religion and morals are under attack in society at large, the immorality will eventually propagate everywhere --- the corporate boardroom, the governor's mansion, the White House, the military... We are not even allowed to call scum by its name: terrorists are "activists" (according to Reuters), hoodlums are "underprivileged," Muslim rioters are "youths." Is is any surprise that the "underprivileged," the "youths," the "activists" become more and more emboldened and sophisticated?

[longtermmemmory]

so the public schools have the who left wing politics and sexual agenda incorporated, the taxes are insane, the budget is a mess, illegals are pevasive, and now this.

I have not heard of illegals in any other part of the USA joining the military, just this california story.

It is just that most of the societal collapse stories coincide with california.

[KC_Conspirator]

They have had issues with gang members for many years in the armed forces, dating back decades. Hell, on some carriers old gang bangers would segregate themselves in parts of the ship until some senior person would notice and break it up. It was an issue in the 90’s, and is becoming an issue again. Hell, we have gang graffiti in Iraq, for crying out loud.

[dragnet2]

Why don’t you answer the questions asked?

[MSF BU]

This would not be happening if there were more Republican families like the McCains and Hunters and fewer like the Romneys and Huckabees. I believe, peronally, that one of the greatest advantages of staying in the military is that you typically don’t have to deal with people like Schumer, Spitzer, Obama and (Mark) Warner because guys like them never join the service. It puzzles me that more young men out of conservative families don’t view military service not as an option but instead as an obligation. There are five active services and seven reserve components; young elibible men should do the right thing and join one.

[MSF BU]

You are correct: this guy was destined to be a punk before a judge sent him on a date with the Marine Corps:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._Lee_Ermey

[SoCal Pubbie]

"It is just that most of the societal collapse stories coincide with california."

You're joking, right? All those naughty teachers screwing their students, those are all in California. All the shootings at colleges lately, those were all in California? The crazy mom who drove her kids into the lake, that was in California? Mike Nifong, John Murtha, CindySheehan, they're all from California. Riiight! BTW, here's my little slice of the cesspool:



High today of 76, sunny, good visibility with gentle breezes cooling things off in the afternoon. I was out yesterday in a friend's power boat off Dana Point. Grilling ribs right now for dinner.

How was your day?

[Cicero]

Good story. I wonder how many judges these days would have enough sense to offer military service as an alternative.

[BamaGirl]

You’re in Dana Point? I visited there 2 weekends ago! You’re right, it is gorgeous there. And yall have the biggest Mercedes dealership I have ever seen! :)

I told my liberal friends at work about going there and they warned me about going behind the “Orange Curtain.” They said it was a place where “rich conservative Republicans live and nothing happens.” They were shocked when I told them how much I enjoyed my visit.

I’ve lived in the bay area for ten years. I honestly can’t believe that the OC is part of California. It is so much nicer, cleaner and well-kept than any other region I’ve visited.

[SoCal Pubbie]

No, I live in Mission Viejo. About 10 -12 miles inland.

[SwinneySwitch]

Fall of Rome ping!

If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.

[DaGman]

This is what has happened because the military has dropped it’s recruiting standards so low in order to meet recruiting goals.

[Sawdring]

I think you might have to find out when the episode is playing again. I have that Gangland series Tivo’ed. It is pretty good and I hope they get into the Russian mob at some point.