Lawfare Archive: Countering Extremism Within the Military
Jan 4, 2025
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Andrew Mines, a research fellow at George Washington University’s Program on Extremism, delves into the persistent challenge of extremism within the U.S. military. He discusses historical incidents and the Defense Department’s efforts to counteract radicalization, particularly since the January 6th Capitol insurrection. Mines highlights the need for better reporting mechanisms and innovative strategies to manage insider threats. He emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive culture to prevent extremist ideologies from taking root among service members.
The emergence of right-wing extremist groups within the U.S. military marks a significant shift from previous concerns about jihadist ideologies.
Historical events like the Fort Hood shooting have prompted the Department of Defense to update its guidelines on countering extremism among military personnel.
Addressing extremism effectively requires collaborative efforts to encompass both active service members and vulnerable veterans through preventive and punitive measures.
Deep dives
The Rise of Extremism in the Military
In recent years, there has been a growing concern about the prevalence of right-wing extremist groups within the U.S. military. This shift in focus marks a departure from earlier concerns that centered more on ideologies associated with groups like Al-Qaeda and ISIS. Specific organizations, such as the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys, have emerged as notable threats following events like the January 6 riots, prompting a renewed investigation into the military's relationship with extremism. Statistical data indicates a significant percentage of individuals involved in extremist-related offenses have military experience, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue within military ranks.
Historical Context and Policy Development
The history of addressing extremism within the military has evolved over several decades, with critical turning points influencing current policies. Historically, there have been instances, such as the Fort Hood shooting, that prompted the Department of Defense (DOD) to implement guidelines to counter extremism. The DOD instruction, which started in 2009 and was updated in subsequent years, dictates that military personnel must refrain from engaging with extremist groups. Recent policy updates following the January 6 events emphasize a stricter control on social media activities and clearer consequences for those involved in extremist movements.
Participation in the January 6 Events
The January 6 Capitol riot raised significant alarms regarding military involvement in extremist actions, revealing that a notable percentage of participants had military backgrounds. Approximately 12 to 15 percent of those arrested were linked to the military, significantly higher than the national average of veterans in the population. This raises pertinent questions regarding the recruitment dynamics and the cultural factors within military environments that might facilitate pathways to extremism. Research suggests that veterans are particularly vulnerable to extremist ideologies, furthering the need for proactive measures to prevent recruitment into such groups.
Preventive Measures and Insider Threat Approaches
The DOD has recognized the necessity of not only punitive responses but also preventive measures to combat extremism. This includes implementing primary prevention strategies aimed at educating service members about the risks posed by extremist groups. The establishment of insider threat programs emphasizes the importance of identifying early-warning signs and offering avenues for reporting suspicious activity. With a focus on behavioral analysis and community engagement, these measures seek to build resilience within military ranks against extremist influences.
Challenges and Future Directions
Despite advancements, significant challenges remain in effectively addressing extremism within both active military and veteran populations. The policies enacted primarily target those currently serving, leaving former service members more vulnerable without similar oversight. Collaborative efforts between various stakeholders—both governmental and civilian—are crucial in extending counter-extremism strategies to the veteran community. Ongoing research and data gathering initiatives will help inform future policy adaptations and strengthen the resilience of both active duty and veteran populations against extremist ideologies.
From April 8, 2022: Last week on Lawfare Live, Jacob Schulz sat down with Andrew Mines, a research fellow at George Washington University’s Program on Extremism. Mines helps lead the Program on Extremism's efforts to keep track of criminal charges resulting from the Jan. 6 Capitol Hill siege. They talked about the U.S military’s efforts to counter extremism within its ranks. Mines is the recent author of a Lawfare piece on the subject, and they talked through the history of the problem, the history of Defense Department efforts to fix it and where the department is still coming up short.
