Posted on Apr 2, 2021
Military must do more to weed out white supremacists, extremists
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https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/todaysdebate/2021/03/30/our-view-military-must-do-more-weed-out-extremists/ [login to see] /
When a closet extremist named Brandon Russell joined the Florida Army National Guard in 2016, examiners took note of an odd tattoo on his right shoulder.
It looked like a radiation-warning symbol, but apparently didn't raise concerns. It should have. It was the emblem for a violent neo-Nazi organization Russell had founded. "I was 100% open about everything with the friends I made at training," Russell later boasted online about the acceptance of his views among other troops. "They know all about it. They love me too cause I'm a funny guy."
Extremism in the military is hardly a laughing matter, and evidence is mounting that it's long past time for the Pentagon to take it seriously.
When a closet extremist named Brandon Russell joined the Florida Army National Guard in 2016, examiners took note of an odd tattoo on his right shoulder.
It looked like a radiation-warning symbol, but apparently didn't raise concerns. It should have. It was the emblem for a violent neo-Nazi organization Russell had founded. "I was 100% open about everything with the friends I made at training," Russell later boasted online about the acceptance of his views among other troops. "They know all about it. They love me too cause I'm a funny guy."
Extremism in the military is hardly a laughing matter, and evidence is mounting that it's long past time for the Pentagon to take it seriously.
Military must do more to weed out white supremacists, extremists
Posted from usatoday.comPosted in these groups: Florida ARNG
Pentagon
Pentagon
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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Gee, I endured hours of lecture on discrimination. More hours of EEO training on computers. I never saw white supremest in the military. I did read about minorities creating hoaxes such as the incident at the Air Force Academy. The press is pushing an agenda. Funny how Asian discrimination agenda has stopped. Most of those committing attacks against Asian were from another minority. Can we give the BS a rest?
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White supremacy today radical Islam yesterday and tomorrow who knows? Possibly spook supremacy.
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MSgt Steve Sweeney I understand what other context and connotation that word means. Way to take a tongue to cheek moment out of hand. As the article states all extremism is a threat but white supremacy is the biggest now. Who knows what other extremism will form tomorrow or 100 years from now.
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I am guessing he is overstating how much people like him. I have served 37 years and never had someone boast like this. Not saying this hasn't happened and views like this aren't shared, but the by-line makes this sound like an epidemic and calling bullshit on the negative drama. One bad apple doesn't spoil the other one million serving. This is also a leadership issue, observing your people and identifying something like this should not be that hard. Also- where does the extremist line begin and who is the line drawer on that? Good information for leaders to think about.
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