US military faces growing extremism challenge, study finds
A recent study reveals over 480 people with military ties were linked to extremist crimes from 2017 to 2023 Veterans made up most cases Military-linked individuals are radicalizing faster than the general population‚ with 80% aligning with far-right ideologies
A recent investigation by the Associated Press (AP) has shed light on the issue of extremism among US military personnel and veterans. The study‚ conducted by the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) at the University of Maryland‚ provides some eye-opening insights
The data shows that from 2017 to 2023 more than 480 individuals with military backgrounds were accused of ideologically-driven extremist crimes. This number includes over 230 arrests related to the Capitol events of 01/06/21. Its important to note that the vast majority of these cases involved veterans‚ rather than active-duty servicemembers
Whats particularly concerning is that people with military ties are radicalizing at a faster rate than the general population. The research indicates that more than 80% of extremists with military backgrounds aligned themselves with far-right anti-government or white supremacist ideologies
The No. 1 predictor of being classified as a mass casualty offender was having a U.S. military background – that outranked mental health problems‚ that outranked being a loner‚ that outranked having a previous criminal history or substance abuse issues
The study also reveals that extremist plots involving individuals with military backgrounds were more likely to include weapons training or firearms. This factor significantly increases the potential for mass injury or death in such incidents
In response to these findings‚ the Pentagon has taken steps to address the issue. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin ordered a force-wide “stand down“ to discuss extremism and formed the Countering Extremist Activity Working Group. The military also revised its policy on extremist activity in late 2021
Interestingly‚ the Department of Defense (DoD) researchers developed a method to identify extremist incidents by mining data from security clearance databases. However this tool is not currently being utilized
While the number of service members and veterans involved in extremism remains a tiny fraction of those who have served honorably‚ the potential dangers posed by even a small number of radicalized individuals with military training cannot be ignored. The DoD has stated its commitment to understanding and addressing the root causes of extremism in its ranks
