Posted on May 22, 2015
Why do many Outlaw biker gangs have former military members?
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After seeing the deaths of the biker shootout in Waco Texas I have noticed a lot of articles and media attention on how many of these bikers are former military. One was a Vietnam Veteran that received the Purple Heart. I was wondering what causes a Veteran to want to join up with actual "Outlaw" Biker gangs? Is it the thrill of adventure the calls them or what? Please answer in the comments.
https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/05/22/atf-report-warned-military-government-membership-outlaw-motorcycle-gangs/
https://firstlook.org/theintercept/2015/05/22/atf-report-warned-military-government-membership-outlaw-motorcycle-gangs/
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 79
Maj Joseph Osborne
If they had asses, they'd be called pants...I always have to remind folks of that fact. I know you're joking, but I'll back up the others, keeping legs warm and safe. Wind chill frozen knees are no joke.
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SrA Marc Haynes
MSG (Join to see) have you been hanging out with the bikers at that Blue Oyster Bar again! LOL
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PO3 John Jeter
With a grin like that on his profile pic, I'm amazed more of y'all didn't feel that "tug on the leg" and that sly chuckle........"assless chaps!" I'm still laughing!
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Major problem with the shape of the question. One of the so-called "biker gangs" arrested in the Waco fracas was a group of bike riders who restore classic bikes and had simply arrived at that location as the action began. There are all sorts of motorcycle clubs out there, the overwhelming majority are no more "gang members" or "outlaws" than VFW or Legion members. What you should be referring to is what is called "the one percenters". In actual motorcycle parlance, there is a vast difference between a "Club", an "Organization", an "Association", and the aforementioned "one-percenters". A "Club" exists because the members dedicate themselves to fellow members. An "Organization" such as the Patriot Guard Riders" serves a function, primarily but not exclusively on motorcycles. An "Association" is a loose group of people who get together just to ride together.
On top of that, there is a major sour smell coming from the entire Waco event. Far too many facts and stories are not tallying up. These COC (Confederation of Clubs and independents) meetings have been held annually for years without incident.
Is anyone besides me curious about the fact that with 9 dead and 18 or 19 wounded, there was not a single Officer injured in the least, and no "innocent bystanders" hurt? There is a great deal that is NOT being told here.
On top of that, there is a major sour smell coming from the entire Waco event. Far too many facts and stories are not tallying up. These COC (Confederation of Clubs and independents) meetings have been held annually for years without incident.
Is anyone besides me curious about the fact that with 9 dead and 18 or 19 wounded, there was not a single Officer injured in the least, and no "innocent bystanders" hurt? There is a great deal that is NOT being told here.
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SFC Joseph James
As I asked in the original question. I'm taking about the outlaw clubs. Nothing more. the US government had a list of the some of them and on top of that list were some involved in the shooting. Within those groups Veterans were involved and even killed.
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one of the original biker gangs the Hells Angels we're pilots from World War 2. after the war they started hanging out together and start up a gang called Hell's Angels using the same symbol was on the the bomber they were flying. and just evolve 20 days now. have a friend that is a vet and he also works for NASA and he belongs to the Hells Angels.
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SSgt Marshall Franklin
I either need to start proofreading before I post or they need to add an Edit button on this.
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SSgt Marshall Franklin
that was supposed to say they evolved to what they are today. I was using voice to text
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The underlying issue is that the attention the media is giving to the notion that many of these bikers are military vets, is merely the everpresent attempt to steer the "official" narrative toward demonizing veterans as enemies of the state, a threat posed by what the state deams liklely domestic terrorists.
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MSgt Carl Christner
Through the interviews that I have seen it seems to me that the common thread is that it replaces the brotherhood that they experienced while in the military. I don't understand why these men cannot join an organization like the VFW or American Legion.
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Capt Michael Berry
You got it brother. And their agenda is whatever they are told it is. They are mindless empty suits and skirts that barely have enough cognitive ability to read a teleprompter. They are fed a script; they are nothing more than a mouthpiece...useful idiots.
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That's a hard one. You have to know most vets are pretty much institutional guys. They like the sense of mission and belonging. I was just talking about this with another retired buddy (we both ride) and he believed it was mainly for the sense of camaraderie and order. Some want the additional elan of being in a "bad ass" outfit. Some want to revel in the memory of days gone by and wars long past done. Clubs don't have to be criminal organizations, but for those wishing to become outlaws there are clubs for that. There are combat vet clubs, "iron butt" endurance clubs - just tons of stuff. Find your happy space and join if you need to. There is also an awful lot of pleasure in riding alone.
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As a VSO I see a lot of Vietnam vets. Many, in my opinion, are trying to regain their stolen youth or innocence. Perpetual youth.
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PO3 John Jeter
I would be inclined to respectfully disagree with you on that. Service in Viet Nam was probably the most intense event in their lives. I think it's more a matter of associating with others who have gone through many of the same experiences and traumas. I recently heard one member say that he liked to talk about old times with fellow riders without having to spend hug amounts of time explaining terminology. More often though, it's the support of fellow vets who really understand how the past has impacted their present. It's a complex issue at best. I'm probably not expressing myself too well either. If you were to say that one of the attractions was to reclaim the sense of unity and purpose from their youth, I could go with that...... I want to thank you double though. Thanks for your service to our country, and thanks again for your service to veterans. God Bless!
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Many people join the military, because ironic as it seems, they are really rebels at heart. Either they wanted to do something 'different', they wanted the thrill of something out of the box, or they have serious beliefs and can't be told to not express them. Biker gangs, at least as what I've seen of them, allow these sort of individuals to express themselves in that fashion.
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So they can make money! Nobody wants to hire a grumpy, PTSD having, bacon loving, flag waving asshole vet!
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