Why in the world would a gang member join the Army? (Not to say it’s not happening,I just don’t get the concept of a gang member joining the military)
Training - hand to hand combat - tactics.
Son served overseas. Some bases were notorious for their gang activity.
sigh..........the officer corps is filled with the dregs left behind after bubba promoted by race and gender.
I know a Marine MP and he has said that gang-bangers join the Marines to learn how to be better killers when they get out.
You get lots of training, plus access to lots of "stuff" that has incredible value on the street. (What would be the street value of a crate of full-auto M-4's?)
“Why in the world would a gang member join the Army? (Not to say it’s not happening,I just don’t get the concept of a gang member joining the military)”
They want to learn how to fight and handle weapons more effectively so when they get back to their gang bangin’ they will be the best they can be!
Some gang members are joining the military, particularly Army and Marine infantry, in order to get real, live combat training. It gives them "street cred", as well as a genuine tactical advantage, when the get out and return home to their gang.
Access to and ability to steal weapons and ammunition.
They get free weapons training and lots of good tactical information... and get paid to learn it all!
To get weapons training and combat experience.
Now ask yourself why they would do that.
L
Also it is out of necessity, the necessity of being the best disciplined gang with the most advanced tactics for regional domination when warring with other gangs. For instance in the following video, a gang member in the military was able to send back vital information for fire placement, and the construction of an effective ambush for rival gang members.
Those who advance up to the upper tier (which is generally found within maximum security holding facilities) see a veil lifted. They soon find out, when inducted that they shall serve a boss, but... he will be even more tyrannical and apathetic to their conditions than a real boss of a corporation or a drill sergeant could hope to envision. There will be no tolerance of mistakes, if you fail, you will be squashed, like cockroach. Failure to kill friends, or sell drugs to children will incur immediate termination, but there will be no severance pay.
In reality the Army or any other Armed force fits quite well with higher tier gang lifestyle. It is extremely regimented and you receive orders daily. Gerald Rubalcaba is a Ex-Marine, which I think you may use ex here very aptly. He is one of the leading members of the Prison gang, La Nuestra Familia. Many prison gangs have a reading list for those who wish to advance, they must read and master works by Mao, Machiavelli and a whole gamut of others. It is this elite Gang Echelon who encourage military enlistment, they know it will enhance the lethality of this organization (or as it is called in NF, "the O").
Those in the prison send out orders much like those in Washington send out orders to those commanders on the field. Also much like those in Washington, they have unrealistic expectations and really haven't a clue as to those who are actually on the ground.
Mind you I am not comparing soldiers of class and character to thugs, I am just bestowing some understanding with this analogy.
The Armed forces are plagued by these self serving parasites, however more is being done to deal with this malady. None of this in anyway diminishes the accomplishments of those serving honorably. Once again, this is simply for illumination on this matter.
They do try to get in. At basic training they are checked for tattoos. If they find any gang related markings they’re gone—out, no gos.