This article (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/07/washington/07recruit.html?ex=1309924800&en=18e0e7dce2b8c8d3&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss) in the NYT reports the assertion that hate groups are making headway into joining the military.
A decade after the Pentagon declared a zero-tolerance policy for racist hate groups, recruiting shortfalls caused by the war in Iraq have allowed "large numbers of neo-Nazis and skinhead extremists" to infiltrate the military, according to a watchdog organization.
The "watchdog organization" is the Southern Poverty Law Center.
"We've got Aryan Nations graffiti in Baghdad," the group quoted a Defense Department investigator as saying in a report to be posted today on its Web site, www.splcenter.org (http://www.splcenter.org/). "That's a problem."
A Defense Department spokeswoman said officials there could not comment on the report because they had not yet seen it.
...
The report quotes Scott Barfield, a Defense Department investigator, saying, "Recruiters are knowingly allowing neo-Nazis and white supremacists to join the armed forces, and commanders don't remove them from the military even after we positively identify them as extremists or gang members."
Anyone seen/heard anything about this?

Its always been there. Was there when I was in, it was just kept underground. The stuff they are seeing in Iraq is just them letting out in an enviroment where they are less likely to get caught.

There has always been a problem with gangs, but they have been esculating long before this war. For the last 10 years I have been in, many gangs have been sending members into the military to get training in tactics and discipline that can be brought back and used against rivals. I seen a great report on a marine that went out and got stoned and killed 2 cops and injured others. He used tactics that he was taught in the military and kicked the hell out of them. Military memebers are now starting to outwardly show gang symbols and shit. Even though the article focused on skin-heads, they are a lesser evil right now, but one that needs to be dealt with.

*Warning sarcasm ahead*
Because Skinheads are the only ones that would willingly join the military.
We all know that actually joining the Military to better your life is a fairytale.

Well, I wouldnt be where I'm at today in my civilian career if it weren't for my military training, so I guess I'm living the fairy tale!

Woo!!

Amen Giena..The military has allowed me to progress quite good in my career, and when I finally do retire.. I will be setup pretty well. Besides.. not many professions allow you to see the world.. even if you are ducking

Can't complain, the military set me up real nice for a great civilian career.


Fandros

The Marines set up my brother in law great for a law enforcement career (he's still in the reserves and could potentially be sent back to Iraq for his third tour shortly).