Posted on 03/10/2008 5:44:22 PM PDT by 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.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.newamericamedia.org ...
Veterans are best qualified to comment on this.
A serious problem for the security of the country and the safety of our streets.
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!
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.
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.
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.
seems california is becoming the gutter of the USA.
“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?
“The game’s afoot, Watson...” - Sherlock Holmes
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.)
Barbarians are as barbarians do.
--- A liberal idiot.
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.
Graffiti is on the rise and is not being covered like it used to be. Reelect Villarigosa!
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.
Wow! So much motivation, yet only ambition is to be a low-life thug.
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.
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.
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
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