The US Army is launching anti-extremism campaign in its ranks

Defence Redefined

Published on 04/03/2021 at 10:20

Two months after many active-duty military and retirees took part in the Congress attack, the US military is launching a campaign to combat extremism in its ranks. However, this ‘fight’ is believed to be difficult, as the military leadership itself admits.

The new Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, the first African-American to hold the post, has ordered all units to hold a day of discussions on extremism.

“I am concerned that a person wearing the uniform of a soldier, a sailor, an aviator, a marine, a national guard or a port officer may adopt such views or, even more, act based on them,” said the Pentagon Chief in a video. “But this is the case. Some people do it even now,” he added.

All unit commanders were instructed on how to develop the discussion without offending the civil rights of all 1.3 million soldiers.

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If any of them raises this issue, his superiors will remind him that, given he has access to sensitive information and weapons, the government reserves the right to weigh his judgment and credibility.

“In case of doubt, national security is paramount,” the Pentagon said in a statement. Commanders are also advised to re-read the oath taken by each soldier when they join their units. All of them swear, among other things, “to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, local or foreign.”

The military has never assessed the extent of extremism in its ranks and reports from the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security have “ignored” the infiltration of “white supremacists” into the armed forces and security forces for more than a decade. “Extremism is a problem that is exacerbated in the military,” said Pentagon spokesman John Kirby.

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Source: CNA