FBI: US gangs using the military to spread globally

I came across this today in the paper version of Stars & Stripes and a few things have urged me to post for your thoughts.
One of them being the dismay I feel at seeing signs around demanding "NO Gang Sign Inside this club" and things of the like. Is this what we, not to mention the citizens of our host countries, are to become accustomed to ?

GRAFENWÖHR, Germany — U.S. criminal gangs have gained a foothold in the U.S. military and are using overseas deployments to spread tentacles around the globe, according to the FBI.

FBI gang investigator Jennifer Simon said in an e-mail to Stars and Stripes this week that gang members have been documented on or near U.S. military bases in Germany, Italy, Japan, South Korea and Iraq.

I knew this was going on in Germany and here in Japan and the like but Iraq also ?

In Iraq, armored vehicles, concrete barricades and bathroom walls have served as canvasses for spray-painted gang art. At Camp Cedar II, about 185 miles southeast of Baghdad, a guard shack was recently defaced with “GDN” for Gangster Disciple Nation, along with the gang’s six-pointed star and the word “Chitown,” according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

I thought they were over there fighting the hard fight yet they still have time to "tag" turf ? I mean the home movies coming out of there were enough to raise an eyebrow and cause some concern but this ? Perhaps I am naive.

In Germany, a soldier is being prosecuted this week for the murder of Sgt. Juwan Johnson, beaten to death on July 4, 2005, allegedly during a Gangster Disciple initiation in Kaiserslautern.

Killing their own too

In September, Department of Defense Dependents Schools in Europe warned teachers and parents to watch out for signs of gang activity, including the deadly MS-13 gang.

Ahhh and let's not forget the kids!

Earlier this year, Kadena Air Base on Okinawa established a joint service task force to investigate gang-related activity involving high school teens linked through the Web site MySpace.com

Myspace.com at it again, will I ever hear anything good about that site ? smh.

There are no official statistics on gang membership in the military, but some experts have estimated that 1 percent to 2 percent of the U.S. military are gang members, Simon (FBI investigator) said. That compares with just 0.02 percent of the U.S. population believed to be gang members, she wrote.

“Gang membership in the U.S. armed forces is disproportional to the U.S. population,” she added.

Well yes Jennifer but I'd still say that the US Armed forces is quite big and 1 - 2 percent of them being gang affiliated is just too much and it's just going to get worse, wouldn't you agree ?

Although there are no numbers to back it up, Simon believes gang member presence in the U.S. military is increasing.

Ok.

So ....

Gangs gaining knowledge of weapons, military training and who knows what information they may have access to doesn't sit well with me as I am sure it doesn't you reading this, but I also wonder what it will do the the opinon people have of the good servicemen of the armed forces.

Who is going to feel safe or proud knowing there are gang members infiltrating the military with the specific intent of recruiting members both on and off base, worldwide ?

“It’s often in the military’s best interest to keep these incidents quiet, given low recruitment numbers and recent negative publicity. The relaxation of recruiting standards, recruiter misconduct and the military’s lack of enforcement (gang membership is not prohibited in the Army) have compounded the problem and allowed gang member presence in the military to proliferate,” Simon said.

Well of course it is. This paragraph alone speaks volumes and only heightens my concern about what is actually going to be done about it.

FBI says U.S. criminal gangs are using military to spread their reach


Then, under this main article there was another stating that Affiliation with a gang isn't a crime under military law

Uhhh errr ?
isn't this kind of a redundant policy to have ? Especially when ...

The Pentagon mandates that “military personnel must reject participation in organizations that espouse supremacist causes; attempt to create illegal discrimination based on race, creed, color, sex, religion or national origin; advocate the use of force or violence; or otherwise engage in efforts to deprive individuals of their civil rights”

So you CAN be affiliated with a gang, but aren't exactly allowed to ... well, do anything ?

“But it is considered in the context of the whole person. Of course, engagement in criminal activity, whether or not it is associated with a gang, directly compromises one’s eligibility to serve in the military,”

Errr right. Why not just make it a condition of enlistment and take a zero-tolerance approach to it ?

Anyway, the article basically states that there is virtually no gang-affiliated type crime or activity on the Navy/Marine bases in the same areas that it is rampant in the Army and that

“The type of sailor or Marine who comes overseas is a better quality sailor or Marine. … We’re keeping our eyes open. We’re sensitive to the possibility.”

... so what's that say for the Army ? They don't care as much or it doesn't matter as much ? Personally I think it matters a whole lot, especially for the future of the US military.


[edit on 9-12-2006 by ImJaded]

[edit on 9-12-2006 by ImJaded]

Good post..

My grandfater is retired Navy,then he retired as a 'Base Cop' at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

There is a somewhat large section of my town that is Navy housing (Jackson Park).He told me years ago,at least 15 or longer that he refused to work in this housing area as a patrolman due to the fact that there are large amounts of 'gang members' that live there, in the active duty military.I asked him how come this problem is not known on a wider scale in our community,he said that since this is technically government property,that the crimes and activities that go on there will not make the mainstream press.Otherwords,hush hush.

Here is an interesting read KKK and the military

Neo-nazis, KKK, gangs, and who know how many others, sounds typical. Cant wait for those gang members to get back on the streets, military training anymore sucks but it gives them one HECK of an edge over police, swat, FBI, and other police like units.
You need to realize this though, the fed DOES NOT CARE AT ALL. If they did, they would have done something about it a LONG time ago. Frankly I would have all the gang members put out in a big open field with only their skivies on and no weapons and bomb the area so they will not bring what little military training they got back to their gang hideouts.

Given that the US military needs more recruits than ever, and less people are willing to enlist becasue of the wars, should it be a surprise that less wholesome segments of society are in the military?

Good job ImJaded.

All new info to me - BUT - I remember noticing back in 2001 that military recruitment efforts were focusing on the barrios and slums - and on gang type gamer sites.

So it's all kinda predictable. Maybe even planned?

Or are they that stupid?

Perhaps the military underestimated the intelligence of street gangs, thinking that the military would exploit the street gangs and not the other way around. Perhaps the military is willing to tolerate gang infiltration so they can have more boots.

Originally posted by Bootyac
Good post..

My grandfater is retired Navy,then he retired as a 'Base Cop' at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard.

There is a somewhat large section of my town that is Navy housing (Jackson Park).He told me years ago,at least 15 or longer that he refused to work in this housing area as a patrolman due to the fact that there are large amounts of 'gang members' that live there, in the active duty military.I asked him how come this problem is not known on a wider scale in our community,he said that since this is technically government property,that the crimes and activities that go on there will not make the mainstream press.Otherwords,hush hush.

Here is an interesting read KKK and the military

I'm not surprised at all with your grandpa's assertions.

When i worked Shore Patrol in Japan (early-mid 90's), it was well known if you picked up a gang member or responded to a call involving a gang member, that you made the problem go away, disappear.

Otherwise you would become their target.

It was especially prevelant on the USS Kitty Hawk and the USS Blue Ridge to a degree.

The military has always been a microcosm of society. You'll have your perv's, thieves, whack jobs, and gang members, like anywhere else.

It is time for every human being who values their community to declare open season on gangs. Gangs proliferate because they are untouchable by the law. They have access to cash which buys off the police. Black powder weapons shooting ball ammunition cannot be traced ballistically back to the individual weapon that fired it and should be used to take out as many gang members as possible. It is the duty of patriotic Americans to declare war on gangs before they drag us down into the abyss. Anyone flashing gang signs, having gang tattoos, or who has a rap sheet for gang activity should be considered fair game for "community sanctions". At this point it is a case of "us or them". To eliminate gang members should be considered self defense.

Originally posted by hotpinkurinalmint

Perhaps the military underestimated the intelligence of street gangs, thinking that the military would exploit the street gangs and not the other way around. Perhaps the military is willing to tolerate gang infiltration so they can have more boots.

The US Military has a history of training terrorists - and making 'marriages of convenience and power.'

I'm thinkin' South and Central America, Afghanistan, Iran - and our military propping up dictators like Noriega and Saddam Hussein, for example. The list is long.

www.soaw.org...

About the School of the Americas / Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation

The US Army School of Americas (SOA), based in Fort Benning, Georgia, trains Latin American security personnel in combat, counter-insurgency, and counter-narcotics. SOA graduates are responsible for some of the worst human rights abuses in Latin America. In 1996 the Pentagon was forced to release training manuals used at the school that advocated torture, extortion and execution. Among the SOA's nearly 60,000 graduates are notorious dictators Manuel Noriega and Omar Torrijos of Panama, Leopoldo Galtieri and Roberto Viola of Argentina, Juan Velasco Alvarado of Peru, Guillermo Rodriguez of Ecuador, and Hugo Banzer Suarez of Bolivia. Lower-level SOA graduates have participated in human rights abuses that include the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero and the El Mozote Massacre of 900 civilians. (See Grads in the News).

Usually though, the USA does not promote this kind of violence so overtly on American soil.

Looks like a shift in policy to me.



Also see:

SOA/WHINSEC Grads in the News

.

Well, it might be good to have some of these gangstas on the front lines in places like Iraq. God knows we have enough Boy Scouts back home making their jobs tougher to do as it is.

Originally posted by jsobecky

Well, it might be good to have some of these gangstas on the front lines in places like Iraq.

And then they come back home, fully trained.

Think about it.

Originally posted by jsobecky
. God knows we have enough Boy Scouts back home making their jobs tougher to do as it is.

Attacking the Boy Scouts..........now thats a new low.
What's next becky, the Brownies, Campfire girls, Cub Scouts, YMCA, YWCA

ontopic.....Gangs have been in the Military for a long time but it was not tolerated by the Officers. Why the change?

[edit on 10-12-2006 by whaaa]

How about an Army triggered Gang War?

Law enforcement authorities fear that the planned relocation of thousands of Army soldiers in Texas could trigger a battle the military has not trained for - a turf war between violent criminal gangs.

Local police and FBI officials said they expect the transfer of between 10,000 and 20,000 troops to Fort Bliss near El Paso, Texas, to bring more members of the Folk Nation gang into contact with a criminal group that is already well-established in the area, Barrio Azteca.

Link

This has been trying to come out from under the covers for quite some time now, years in fact, and it's only a matter of time before the gang wars erupt on the streets of the USA. Nothing like military training for your gang recruits who will have more to gain after being in the military once they have returned to the streets.

Gang membership should be a Capital Offense, and known gang members should be executed as soon as the link is established. It's just another reason why so many people I know are stockpiling unregistered weapons, gangs, rogue police state and NWO.

I agree JS is nice to have them in Iraq front lines, but when they are back they come with a taste of blood and a reason to kill, perhaps enhance by psychological problems.

I remember many issues going on in the bases related to young soldiers and extra curricular military hobbies.

But back then it was kept quite quiet.

Originally posted by Bootyac
Good post..
Here is an interesting read KKK and the military

The ADL is a credible non-biased source on this subject? I doubt it based on their past witch hunts and desire to rid the world of anybody that dares question their agenda.

Schools of Americas?

Hey Soficrow, do you know if they are taking canadian graduates? Im looking for a place to do my studies right now

anyway, I don't believe the problem is the spreading of gangs around the globe

cause I honestly believe the guy from south central of Los Angeles is an innocent child compared to some "gangs" that are in Irak (between private security contractors and islamic militias... choice is yours :duh

The problem is, like many people said, the training we give them. Proceeding to arrest a guy who was never trained and one that was trained in urban warfare isnt really the same business is it?

Gangs were in the military, during my tour. '85-89.
The thing that leaps out in my mind isn't the weapons or tactics training, it's the leadership skills we are giving to these individuals.
They aren't going to be your run-of-the-mill thugs, they will be the leaders who are organizing and running the local groups.
Something to ponder.

Lex

i would rather have the gang members overseas and in the army as opposed to on our streets @ home. But what is all the hype about? What is the big deal with this? Big deal. I dont care if they spray paint some bathroom stalls and cement barriers in iraq, this doesnt affect me. Sure, they will learn many deadly skills, but they are recieving this training in return for serving their country and risking their lives. I say, let em all in!

Originally posted by groingrinder
It is time for every human being who values their community to declare open season on gangs. Gangs proliferate because they are untouchable by the law. They have access to cash which buys off the police. Black powder weapons shooting ball ammunition cannot be traced ballistically back to the individual weapon that fired it and should be used to take out as many gang members as possible. It is the duty of patriotic Americans to declare war on gangs before they drag us down into the abyss. Anyone flashing gang signs, having gang tattoos, or who has a rap sheet for gang activity should be considered fair game for "community sanctions". At this point it is a case of "us or them". To eliminate gang members should be considered self defense.

I guess this means that it would be okay for me to open fire on anyone wearing a blue uniform with a badge and gun. They operate like a gang where I live. Seriously. We have gangs too and I do have to say that they both are a bunch of criminals who do anything they please. I just don't think killing them is the answer.

Originally posted by Infra_red
I guess this means that it would be okay for me to open fire on anyone wearing a blue uniform with a badge and gun. They operate like a gang where I live.

Isn't the military the biggest gang going. Gangmemebers are probably an attractive recruit for them.

On the other side of that, the discipline and validation many gang recruits may garner from military service may have a rehabilitative effect.

I don't think the criminal acts being carried out by servicemen are limited to recruited gang members.

Seems to come with the territory of war.