Why do many Outlaw biker gangs have former military members?

Well said SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA

My friend is a member of Outlaws in Tampa... The characterization of the need for brotherhood does continue. That is not for me but I get it. Not all patched members are 1%ers also.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EzChkEzKa9I

This guy would come to my house if there is a big problem here.....

Indeed it is not the reason. It is a reason however.

Bad apples are everywhere. In the Armed Forces as well as in biker gangs/clubs.

The media is selling the word "biker" as the same meaning as thug. Not everyone on a motorcycle is in a gang, a criminal or even a biker especially if they ride "occasionally". Not all bikers are thugs or criminals.

There are only a select group considered 1%ers such as the Mongrels, Bandidos, Hells Angels etc that are involved with organized crime and violence. They could chose outfits like the Patroit Riders, Rolling Thunder etc.

The training I have had is that most people join "gangs" for a sense of belonging to something and having a brotherly or family relationship. I can't remember the name of the book, but it was about a DEA agent that infiltrated the Mongols. His mother died during the time period he was undercover. His fellow DEA agents didn't say anything to him about it, but the Mongols were the only ones in his life to express any sympathy. I don't know much more about it than that.

The press always look for the worst and over expose it, I go on a lot of rides in the summer all for charity's with all different kinds of bikers, and yes most of us are Veterans just pride to be Americans and give. Just like we all gave to our great country.

Not born of, they were WWII vets.

I didn't mean that the individual bikers were born to WWII vets. I meant "Outlaw Bikers" as a group were made up OF WWII vets.

OK, I see what you were going for now.

Cpl George Randitsas, that is SFC Daniel Faires's point. In his organization they earn their back patch whereas in CVMA you buy your back patch.

I think there is a misconception about the "three piece" patch.

Not every Motorcycle Club has a three piece patch. Ask any patch holder in the Gallaping Goose MC, El Forastero MC or Vagos MC.

That does not mean they are not an Outlaw MC.

So... SFC Daniel Faires Cpl George Randitsas SrA Jay Strauser First, I understand on the patches, as know not all MC have the 3 piece patch; Galloping Goose for example; I suspect the others since you listed them. But, is there also a difference between a MC and RC? Perhaps that is my point of confusion. I believe one of the roots is earning your patch vs. buying it? As an example, this is who we have (I have seen) in this local area.
American Legion Riders
Freedom of the Road Riders
Christian Motorcycle Riders
Combat Veterans Association
Veterans Motorcycle Club
Wingmen Motorcycle Club

I am sure there are more... As I know there are several sport bike clubs.

COL Charles Williams, the best way I can explain the difference between an MC and an RC, besides the way they're chartered, is this: an RC is a group of guys who get together once in a while to ride their motorcycles. When the ride is over they go their separate ways until the next ride.

Men in MC's are more than just casual riders. They live/breath/sleep motorcycles and they consider the other men in their club their brother. You mess with one guy in a club you mess with them all.

There's a lot more to it, but I myself am not in a club so I can't really speak on it. Perhaps someone who is in a club can elaborate, without giving away any "club secrets" of course.

Hey bro! Got Lasker in one of my posts above

COL Charles Williams, one of my former squadron members is in the ATF report.

We all need to connect with something that we feel apart of . In the military we became a big family of sorts . You feel you can trust your brothers in arms before any one else and without them you feel as you are missing a part of you're self .

It's a simple concept that's very difficult to explain clearly. I've tried to post a simple set of differences a couple of times, but I must be stepping on someones toes because the posts disappear without explanation or comment.

PO3 John Jeter
"However, if you disrespect one of them, if you speak badly of one of them, if you harm one of them, you must face ALL of them."
Still sounds like thugs.

Or a family?

So SFC Paul P., if you and your soldiers were at a bar for example, and a few loud mouths started trash talking them or the US Army, would you not step in and "do" something about it?