NCJ Number
171197
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 21 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1997) Pages: 56-58
Date Published
1997
Length
3 pages
Annotation
It is evident that the drugs and violence associated with the street-gang subculture and the white supremacist movement have impacted and continue to impact all branches of the Nation's military forces.
Abstract
There are many instances in which ex-gang members, gang members, and gang associates join the armed forces to improve their lives. For the most part, almost all succeed in adapting to the discipline and military way of life. For others, however, the street-gang mentality is still part of the person. These enlisted men and women continue with their gang activities on a limited basis. Understanding that if caught they will lose their jobs, these gang members have kept their gang membership and activities secret. These gang members can and have recruited new members while on base. The types of military gang crime have included murder, attempted murder, drive-by shootings, hate crimes, vandalism, assault with a deadly weapon, simple assault, rape, robbery, burglary, weapons violations, and vehicle theft. Further, there have been numerous documented instances in which active military personnel have been involved in gang-related crimes off base. Some of these adult gang members have access to all types of military munitions. Within the last 6 years, the military has experienced and documented an increase in the theft of these items. Hate groups have also manifested themselves in the military. White supremacist and neo-Nazi groups have been identified within the military ranks. Some have been suspected of selling stolen military weapons to local extremists.