HERE'S HOW THE ARMED FORCES ARE ELIMINATING EXTREMISM IN THE MILITARY
Each branch of the military may specialize in its respective fields, but the core values that keep the American Armed Forces going forward remain. This is why extremism in the military is a universal problem. While extremists have been a problem within the military for quite some time, the events that transpired during the January 6 United States Capitol attack have brought a new spotlight to this unfortunate issue. Now, the Pentagon is taking additional steps to stifle extremism, including the actions that troops may take online. Related read:Gun Charges Filed Against Marine Vet Allegedly Part of Neo Nazi Group
What Is Extremism in the Military?
Extremism can be found in many forms; however, it can be defined as holding views stemming from ideologies that are of an extreme nature. This usually comes from political or religious viewpoints that can inspire those who hold them to practice prejudice and even exhibit violent behavior. The world is a better place without extremists, as they only seek a narrow view of the world and place their own personal feelings above the lives and livelihoods of others. It’s no surprise, then, that the military is a dangerous place for such individuals. Military extremism has been found in the United States through various organizations, including the Ku Klux Klan, Proud Boys, and Oath Keepers. Additionally, extremism breached the U.S. military from foreign extremists during a joint training program during the NAS Pensacola shooting.
Forfeiting Freedom of Speech
Faced with a rise of extremism within its ranks, the U.S. military has clamped down on racist speech, including retweets and likes, sparking First Amendment concerns. But even though military members are protected by the First Amendment, things aren’t exactly the same. Members of the American Armed Forces must follow the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). This code is the military's criminal code, and while they are protected, they receive much less of it than ordinary civilians. Speech that's harmful to protecting the nation should be avoided. It’s difficult to pinpoint exact guidelines to follow here. There is a bit of discretion that has been used throughout time for these events, but if a branch finds that the speech or action goes against the UCMJ and/or hinders a branch’s ability to fight, consequences will likely be imposed. There have been cases in the past that have argued the importance of following orders and the purpose of the military that may come into play here. Overall, history tells us, such as in United States v. Priest, 21 C.M.A. 564, 45 C.M.R. 338, 21 USCMA 564 (1972), that the job of the military isn’t to debate things but to follow orders.
Extremism in the Military Is Sadly Nothing New
An extremist “liking” a “KKK symbol,” such as a picture of a frog, or retweeting a political meme may not be the end-all-be-all test of extremism in the U.S. military, but it’s a start. If hatred is your disgusting cup of tea, do it on your own time because it has no place in the American Armed Forces. Beyond the life or death situations our troops face on the battlefield, the ramifications are much deeper. For starters, no matter how you look at it, the military is an employer. Racism and extremism have no place at work where people can become uncomfortable and even marginalized. There are also the consequences of allowing extremism in the military that go well beyond the actual service. This includes war crimes and learning tactics that can be applied to domestic terrorism. Such is the case for groups like the KKK. A West Virginia Klan leader claimed returning military members would help them train for “the upcoming battle” back in 2014. The battle that they referred to was, of course, a proposed race war within the United States that they believed was destined to break out. This is but one example that showcases that, long before anything to do with the Capitol, extremism in the military was a problem. It’s important that the military takes trends and actions online seriously to eradicate extremism from the military while still maintaining the rights of those who defend ours. Read next:New Study Surfaces Detailing Racial Discrimination in the Military
Image: RAND Corporation | Reducing the Risk of Extremist Activity in the U.S. Military