Gangs In US Military

[q4star]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dgwfVJIoBNM&feature=related

[NWCYNC]

That's crazy. So, should the military start doing backgrounds?

[jstru402]

i think the military should absolutely do backgrounds. i don't see why they shouldn't. i understand the military isn't in much of a position to be turning too many people away, but turning someone away for gang affiliation seems reasonable. and if someone is affiliated with a gang, maybe the military can provide some kind of organization that helps gang members get out of that lifestyle before they return to civilian life.

[IrishJoe]

That's crazy. So, should the military start doing backgrounds?

The Military DOES do background checks, and they are pretty exstensive. I am a six year veteran of the US Army and a Sergeant, and I can tell you that the US Military is not flooded with bloodthirsty, cop-hating gang bangers who are trying to get training to take back to the street.

[NWCYNC]

The Military DOES do background checks, and they are pretty exstensive. I am a six year veteran of the US Army and a Sergeant, and I can tell you that the US Military is not flooded with bloodthirsty, cop-hating gang bangers who are trying to get training to take back to the street.

Another dramatic story by the media...... you've got to love 'em! I have never been in the service. I had no idea they did background checks.

[HIPCHIP]

I watched "Gangland" one night and they talked about how gang bangers were enlisting in the Marines to learn offensive and defensive techniques, then they were taking them back to the gangs and training the gang members. This has been going on awhile. I imagine it's also going on in other branches of the service too.

They swear loyalty to the USA and the military, but only have loyalty to the gang.

[bplusmc]

Aside from checking with the local LE to see if you are wanted or have a felony the background checks are not that extensive. Or atleast they weren't when I came though. But then again that could have been a lie my recruiter told me :think:.............:smile:

[23109]

Unfortunately working near a large military base, this is sadly true. I'd say a small part of them are involved in gangs, but it does happen. We've had to put a few into jail for firearm possession and such.

[NWCYNC]

I do not want to try to act as if I know about the military, but when I think about it, I have never known anyone to be denied if they wanted to enlist. In anyone's opinion, is there anything that can be done to prevent this? It seems to me that if the military did extensive backgrounds, we would have a lot less soldiers (not good). It would also cost billions of dollars I'm sure. This may be a small problem, but that is how all big problems start.

I don't mean to offend any military personnel. I have a large amount of respect for all of them. These are just my thoughts, opinions, and observations.

[cg+fd2chp]

Backgrounds are definitely done. There are the basic ones, for entrance into the military, and there are more extensive background checks for people with access to classified material, etc.

People may even join squeaky clean and become involved in drugs or gangs while they are in


:noidea:

[Eagl5]

This stuff is old news, there are gang members and people affiliated with gangs every where. There are DMV employees who have gang ties, they raise the little ones to be drug and crime free so they can get them into the military and law enforcement. Nothing new. Can't go anywhere anymore.:think:

[Dark Knight]

employees who have gang ties, they raise the little ones to be drug and crime free so they can get them into the military and law enforcement.


This reminds me of a great movie "The Departed" where a crime lord raises a kid "Matt Damon" as a good ole boy from a young age to infiltrate a law enforcement agency so that the organized crime has roots with in to tip them off to anythin.:think:

[ResQ]

Wasn't it 2005 Ceres where the hispanic "ex" Marine used the kalashnikov to shoot that PD Officer...??

this is not new

[USMC8541]

As a former Marine recruiter I can tell you the military does do background checks and they are actually quite extensive. We go pretty far back into applicants history, including criminal records that have been "sealed or expunged". The problem is not everyone gets caught doing what they should not be doing. I have personally disqualified many for background reasons and seen many more turned around by other recruiters. The military IS hurting in recruiting, but believe me they have not resulted into letting random gang members in to meet the magic number.

[dakine]

Sometimes gang members get in, but it's nothing like the media says. Besides, I bet 90 percent of them along with general screw ups get kicked out anyway. Atleast that's how it was when I was in. I would be willing to bet as well that they are not going to join the military just to get training to go back to the streets. The marine that had shot at the cop probably did so because he has a few screws loose, not because he was in a gang.

[rklhughes]

Well I can tell you as a veteran that I never filled out anything as extensive to get my secret clearance.

CHP Background - 1

Military Background - 0

[Jeff Rhea]

I was a Marine recruiter. We did disqualify applicants and had to get waivers on others. However, since recruiters are not law enforcement they are denied access to criminal history records. Background checks are conducted only after recruits are at boot camp. The question isn't the background check, it's the thoroughness of it. My CHP background check was far more thorough than my Top Secret or Critical Nuclear Weapons Design Information security clearance background checks.

The other problem we see with these idiots is the psycology at play. The military recruits 18 -24 year olds for the same reasons gangs do. And the military uses many of the same psycological indocrination techniques as gangs (everybody is "the best", just ask anybody). We even use these techniques in law enforcement. The real problem lies in education. We do not educate young people about the psycology of group identity and tribalism. But that's because most teachers don't have a clue about these issues. If we educated kids about the psycological factors at play in group dynamics, they would be much less likely to get sucked into group identities. Tattoo artists would have fewer customers as well. Everybody wants to belong, even if it is to the group that doesn't belong.

Message to wannabe bad asses: If you're really that bad and that much of an individual, stop behaving just like all those other bad ass individuals! Try being original for a change. If you flash a gang sign, your not tough, you're just another lost sheople.

[IrishJoe]

Try being original for a change. If you flash a gang sign, your not tough, you're just another lost sheople.


LOL :biggrin:

[CTR man]

Wasn't it 2005 Ceres where the hispanic "ex" Marine used the kalashnikov to shoot that PD Officer...??

this is not new

Sure was. I know the family of the Ceres PD officer that was killed.

[CTCI08Wife]

Sure was. I know the family of the Ceres PD officer that was killed.

The officer was a family friend of my parents... The suspect was AWOL, if I recall correctly.

[CTR man]

The officer was a family friend of my parents... The suspect was AWOL, if I recall correctly.

You are absolutely right, out of Camp Pendleton. I know the family through them being newspaper subscribers on a route that I used to have. Wonderful people. I have commented on his reflection page several times at www.odmp.org .

I have this video clip link in my signature that I post in other forums.

[CTR man]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=dgwfVJIoBNM&feature=related

For those of you that don't know, the editor of this video clip has the pics of the officers involved in the Ceres shooting reversed. The names are correct. A very sad time in Ceres then.

[CTR man]

I was a Marine recruiter. We did disqualify applicants and had to get waivers on others.

The suspect that did the shooting got in on one of these waivers.

[TheForceCHP]

CTR please learn to use the edit button and not post three times in a couple of minutes.

[CTR man]

Oops, thanks for the reminder.

[rusty57]

Not "everyone" that wants to join the military can. You must meet minimum academic and physical standards. The academics will usually weed out most gang members. Applicants will typically deny any gang affiliation knowing they will be disqualified. If they don't have gang tattoos or a criminal record, they will more than likely make it through the initial screening. The background checks are not too in-depth at the onset of the recruiting process. Military jobs that require clearances will be first to get an extensive check. Most get a single scope background check. The initial basic training (boot camp) will usually identify and process most criminals out. They usually "fail to adapt" to the military lifestyle. Those that slip through the cracks are eventually separated for one reason or another. What they do after their separation (either honorably or not) has nothing to do with the military standards or training. Some people are just not good enough for any society. I have been serving for almost 20 years and can honestly tell you that most military personnel are honorable people. Negative actions are sometimes pointed out more than the positive contributions made on a daily basis by the men and women in the service. This leads to a perception that the military tolerates or creates this behavior. As for the background checks, I just completed another Top Secret and SCI background check and they found some stuff that did not come up in my LE background checks. I was not even aware that some of those things were out there to be found. Have faith in our military services and judicial system, eventually those that take the lesser road will be discovered and dealt with to the fullest extent of the law. Be safe out there.

[IrishJoe]

Not "everyone" that wants to join the military can. You must meet minimum academic and physical standards. The academics will usually weed out most gang members. Applicants will typically deny any gang affiliation knowing they will be disqualified. If they don't have gang tattoos or a criminal record, they will more than likely make it through the initial screening. The background checks are not too in-depth at the onset of the recruiting process. Military jobs that require clearances will be first to get an extensive check. Most get a single scope background check. The initial basic training (boot camp) will usually identify and process most criminals out. They usually "fail to adapt" to the military lifestyle. Those that slip through the cracks are eventually separated for one reason or another. What they do after their separation (either honorably or not) has nothing to do with the military standards or training. Some people are just not good enough for any society. I have been serving for almost 20 years and can honestly tell you that most military personnel are honorable people. Negative actions are sometimes pointed out more than the positive contributions made on a daily basis by the men and women in the service. This leads to a perception that the military tolerates or creates this behavior. As for the background checks, I just completed another Top Secret and SCI background check and they found some stuff that did not come up in my LE background checks. I was not even aware that some of those things were out there to be found. Have faith in our military services and judicial system, eventually those that take the lesser road will be discovered and dealt with to the fullest extent of the law. Be safe out there.

Well said.

[Mac]

....Negative actions are sometimes pointed out more than the positive contributions made on a daily basis by the men and women in the service. This leads to a perception that the military tolerates or creates this behavior...
Believe me, law enforcement is VERY familiar with this phenomenon!