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 3 y ago
Responses: 5
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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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SrA John Monette
LTC David Brown - i would treat the white supremacist threat more seriously. wasn't there a problem in the late 70's and early 80's with gang members enlisting?
i certainly hope social media sites are being looked at for every potential recruit too. people don't realize that whatever they post is going to be there forever.
i certainly hope social media sites are being looked at for every potential recruit too. people don't realize that whatever they post is going to be there forever.
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MSgt Steve Sweeney
LTC David Brown - Sergeant is spelled S-E-R-G-E-A-N-T. How does a LTC not know this?
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SrA John Monette
MSgt Steve Sweeney - things that make you go "hmmmmm". both of his responses were rife with misspellings.
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SrA John Monette
LTC David Brown - yes, it is less of a treat to be a gang member. they usually have to get "jumped in" whereas all a white supremacist has to do is hate anyone who isn't white. so there's that
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White supremacy today radical Islam yesterday and tomorrow who knows? Possibly spook supremacy.
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MSgt Steve Sweeney
PFC (Join to see) - I understand chip was an intel "spook" and will refer to himself as such. I am simply saying that the word has other connotations and to be aware of those connotations especially relative to the context of the conversation. Situational Awareness
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PFC (Join to see)
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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