An extensive investigation has delved into the presence of extremism among current U.S. military members and veterans, highlighting some significant findings.
The data suggests that while the rate of radicalization among service members and veterans is concerning, the total number involved remains minimal compared to the millions who have served honorably. This investigation utilized exclusive information from the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) at the University of Maryland, which reported that over 480 individuals with military ties were implicated in extremist activities between 2017 and 2023. A notable portion of these incidents was connected to the events of January 6, with more than 230 arrests tied directly to the insurrection. Interestingly, most of those documented in this data were veterans rather than individuals currently on active duty.
The analysis revealed a quicker radicalization trend within the military community compared to the overall population. START’s research indicated that more than 80% of extremists with military backgrounds aligned themselves with far-right ideologies, including anti-government sentiments and white supremacy, with a smaller percentage leaning towards far-left or jihadist motivations.
One significant area of concern is the heightened risks posed by extremists with military experience. Research indicated that extremist plans involving individuals from a military background were more likely to feature elements such as firearms training, thereby increasing the potential for significant harm or mass casualty events. It was highlighted that when individuals with military backgrounds radicalize, they often do so to a level that leads to major acts of violence. The data indicated that possessing a military background was the foremost predictor of someone being classified as a mass casualty offender, surpassing other factors such as mental health status or previous criminal records.
The data tracked various individuals linked to violent plots aimed at achieving political, social, economic, or religious objectives. Although many of these plans failed, those that came to fruition resulted in numerous casualties. Since 2017, nearly 100 individuals have lost their lives or suffered injuries due to these extremist acts, most driven by far-right or anti-government agendas. Notable incidents include the murders of a federal security officer and a sheriff’s deputy in California in 2020, committed by an active-duty Air Force staff sergeant, and a shooting in a Florida yoga studio in 2018 carried out by a former Army soldier.
The Pentagon has taken steps to address extremism within its ranks, especially following the events of January 6. Shortly after the Capitol was stormed, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin mandated a force-wide “stand down” to allow military leaders to engage with their personnel on the topic of extremism. Additionally, a working group was formed to assess the situation and propose recommendations. Among these recommendations was a revised policy clarifying actions considered violations under military law, emphasizing that anti-government or anti-democratic behaviors are prohibited.
Furthermore, there are emerging strategies aimed at confronting extremism in the military. The Pentagon developed an approach for detecting extremist incidents across military branches and among defense contractors but has yet to implement it. A memo, which surfaced recently, detailed efforts made in 2020 and 2021 to analyze data from a security clearance database to identify incidents of white supremacist and extremist activities. This research unearthed hundreds of incidents spanning two decades, which could potentially highlight internal concerns regarding personnel.
Despite the research’s promise, it failed to reach significant stakeholders, including the head of the Pentagon’s extremism working group. A defense official stated that while the department is dedicated to comprehending the origins of extremism and taking appropriate action, the methodology to track extremism allegations remains under development.