Combat veteran Bishop Garrison raises urgent alarms over the growing threat of extremism within the U.S. military, spotlighting recent fatal incidents and calling for decisive action.
At a Glance
- Pentagon issues guidelines targeting extremism in military ranks.
- Capitol riot involvement prompts a 60-day military “stand down”.
- Increasing extremist activity causes concern among former soldiers.
- Bishop Garrison advocates for comprehensive anti-extremism strategies.
New Guidelines Address Military Extremism
The Pentagon has rolled out new measures aimed at rooting out extremism within its ranks. The guidelines, introduced after the Capitol attack involving former and active military personnel, mandate possible disciplinary actions for soldiers engaging with extremist content online. Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III called for a 60-day stand down to discuss these issues, emphasizing the need for awareness and intervention strategies.
A working group focuses on enhancing the vetting process and educating service members about the risks of radicalization. Recommendations submitted to Pentagon leadership aim at equipping commanders with tools to identify and eliminate extremist threats within their units. This comes as confirmed cases of extremist activities within the military involving approximately 100 service members were reported over the last year.
Analyzing the Extremism Report
A comprehensive report ordered by Secretary Austin and conducted by the Institute for Defense Analyses has surfaced, consolidating existing data on extremist tendencies within the military. While finding incidents of extremism rare, the report raises alarms about an uptick in participation among former service members. Criticisms point to the outdated security clearance process, focusing on international rather than domestic threats.
“The participation in violent extremist activities of even a small number of individuals with military connections and military training could present a risk to the military and to the country as a whole” – Defense Department report
Bishop Garrison, a key figure in the Biden administration’s counter-extremism efforts, highlights the urgency of addressing military and veteran radicalization. He vehemently warns about the rising threat of domestic attacks orchestrated by those with military experience, especially following tragic New Year’s Day incidents involving military personnel in New Orleans and Las Vegas.
Advocacy for Robust Interventions
Garrison reinforces the need for sustained anti-extremism programs, warning of further tragic events without vigorous action. He is critical of cultural dynamics within the military that deter personnel from seeking mental health support. Garrison underscores the critical need for comprehensive support systems to prevent acts of violence inspired by extremist ideologies.
“Both incidents demonstrate the sleeping danger that we have failed to deal with as a country.” – Bishop Garrison
This advocacy aligns with Defense Department critiques on the current processes, urging updates to security questionnaires to more directly address and mitigate extremist activities. While facing staunch opposition from some political factions, Garrison’s resilience reflects a steadfast commitment to safeguarding both military communities and the broader American public from these mounting threats.
Sources:
- After USA TODAY investigation, military finally releases internal extremism report
- Extremism in US military is ‘sleeping danger’ says author of Pentagon report
