The discussion revolves around the recent accusations against a Navy intelligence specialist for attempting to sell classified military documents. Participants explore the implications of leaking classified information, motivations behind such actions, and the changing perceptions of security and punishment related to espionage.
Participants generally express multiple competing views on the motivations and implications of leaking classified information, with no clear consensus on the factors influencing such decisions or the appropriate responses to them.
Participants note that the classification of documents can vary significantly, and there is a suggestion that the media may sensationalize the issue, potentially complicating public understanding of the situation.
This discussion may be of interest to individuals studying military ethics, intelligence operations, or the legal implications of espionage and classified information leaks.
Could be a good system, simply replace 'regiments' with 'gangs', 'colors' with 'colors', and set them fighting the enemy.WhoWee said:Members of nearly every major street gang, including the Bloods, Crips, Black Disciples, Gangster Disciples, Hells Angels, Latin Kings, The 18th Street Gang, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Mexican Mafia, Nortenos, Surenos, Vice Lords, and various white supremacist groups,
WhoWee said:From your link, I found this:
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/justicelawlegislation/a/gangs.htm
"Gang Activity in the U.S. Military"
"According to a recently released FBI report, Gang-related activity in the US military is increasing and poses a threat to law enforcement officials and national security.
The report, Gang Activity in the U.S. Armed Forces Increasing, dated January 12, states that members of nearly every major street gang have been identified on both domestic and international military installations. Members of nearly every major street gang, including the Bloods, Crips, Black Disciples, Gangster Disciples, Hells Angels, Latin Kings, The 18th Street Gang, Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13), Mexican Mafia, Nortenos, Surenos, Vice Lords, and various white supremacist groups, have been documented on military installations. Although most prevalent in the Army, the Army Reserves, and the National Guard, gang activity is pervasive throughout all branches of the military and across most ranks, but is most common among the junior enlisted ranks, according to the report.
"
_Tully said:Well yes, the military is a cross section of America. Of course there are gang members. 'Gang activity' being 'pervasive' on the other hand, I would question. I have never seen anything that would make it seem common at all, and I've lived in the most grim part of Camp Lejeune for four years.
I have seen brutal violence (stabbings, beatings, etc), drug sale/use, etc. All varieties of illegal activities, but nothing would suggest that these events where connected to a greater organisation. Perhaps their criteria is simply, 'if a gang member/former gang member commits a crime, it is gang activity'?
WhoWee said:It would demonstrate a lack of discipline and disregard of military rules - never a good thing and quite on-point with the thread.
_Tully said:The military (Marine Corps Infantry is my only experience) is far beyond anything you can imagine. We are violent warriors who go into combat zones with little to nothing for months at a time, watch our friends die, retaliate with full force, return home to horrible living conditions and complete lack of respect from anyone in our command, forced to do insanely degrading things, and are put into living areas with hundreds of other men in the same situation.
We are HIGHLY disciplined, but we are still fighters, still young men. Not everyone engages in these activities, but if one of my brothers was to engage an agressor and it escalates into a fist fight, I would not ridicule him. The things he carries with him everyday would be mind blowing to the average person, often before his 19th birthday. A breakdown in discipline do to emotions is human. We are humans, not machines. These situations are nothing like the ones being discussed here, as the men I am talking about are patriots who would sooner slit their own throat than speak against their brothers.
This applies to drug use as well.
Sorry for the rant, but these are two very very different things.
EDIT: Also, this was written from my phone so pardon any ridiculous mistakes, haha.
_Tully said:I agree, and my post came across way harsher than I meant it to, I'm sorry for that. Also the events (besides fighting) I mentioned are not common, just things I've seen over the years.
WhoWee said:I'll venture a guess that anyone as involved with his "brothers" as you've described - would most likely never engage in un-patriotic activities (like the Wikileaks theft or the Fort Hood shootings) - my guess is the loner that doesn't fit in or joined for the wrong reasons is the one most likely to go bad (yes - I agree that smacks of profiling).
MATLABdude said:This is somewhat tangential, but gang members (and, although it's not mentioned militia / white supremacist types) going into the military for the express purpose of military training is probably more moral panic than anything. I'm told there was similar panic about the (then-newly) integrated armed forces producing legions of combat-veteran Black Panthers (or the likes) during Vietnam, but a cursory search didn't turn up anything (perhaps some of the older forum members will weigh in?)
Every so often, you read about guys who were given the choice of going to jail, or joining the army (don't know if that's acceptable these days)--I'd like to think that at least some of them ended up turning their lives around, instead of just becoming more dangerous criminals. Same deal with kids who were in (or around) gangs or 'militias'.