ep 48: Extremely Unserious

In early February, in the aftermath of the January 6th Capitol “riot,” Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, ordered a 60-day stand-down within all the military branches in order to address extremism in the ranks. Despite an October 2020 Pentagon report commissioned by Congress that concluded extremist views were not widespread and identified “a low number of cases in absolute terms,” this was an urgent matter that needed to be addressed immediately.

In the weeks following, the Pentagon released training materials to guide military units in conducting their stand-down events. Appropriately, within this guidance were examples of unacceptable and impermissible extremist activities. The only problem? All were examples of white supremacy as if that’s the only form extremism takes. There was no mention of ANTIFA anarchists who assaulted federal facilities, from ICE facilities to courthouses for a year. And the subject of Black Lives Matter (BLM) was described as an acceptable discussion of a social policy issue although BLM was responsible for 90% of the “protest” violence that occurred during the summer of 2020. And let’s not forget Major Nidal Hasan, the Islamic extremist who killed 13 people and wounded 30 others in a Fort Hood killing spree.

Are there people serving or who have served in the military who hold extremist views? Certainly. We’re an all-volunteer force, so the military is a reflection of society. However, narrowing the definition of extremism to that of white nationalism without including or ignoring outright its other manifestations, demonstrates the Pentagon’s and Secretary Austin’s lack of seriousness in truly addressing this issue.

Pictured in the cover art: Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin

NOTES:

Pentagon releases training materials to address extremism
https://thehill.com/policy/defense/540788-pentagon-releases-training-materials-to-address-extremism

Leadership Stand-Down Framework
https://media.defense.gov/2021/Feb/26/2002589872/-1/-1/1/LEADERSHIP-STAND-DOWN-FRAMEWORK.PDF

Pentagon looks to root out extremists aiming to recruit service members https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/03/19/pentagon-looks-to-root-out-extremists-aiming-to-recruit-service-members/

Some Troops See Capitol Riot, BLM Protests as Similar Threats, Top Enlisted Leader Says
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2021/03/19/some-troops-see-capitol-riot-blm-protests-similar-threats-top-enlisted-leader-says.html

Report: Woke Pentagon Worried Troops View BLM/Antifa and Capitol Hill Riots Equally
https://legalinsurrection.com/2021/03/report-woke-pentagon-worried-troops-view-blm-antifa-and-capitol-hill-riots-equally/

Some troops disappointed by check-the-block extremism stand-downs, others laud commanders
https://www.militarytimes.com/news/your-military/2021/03/22/some-troops-disappointed-by-check-the-block-extremism-stand-downs-others-laud-commanders/

‘What does wrong look like?’ Air Force slides aim to clarify extremism for troops
https://www.airforcetimes.com/news/your-air-force/2021/03/18/what-does-wrong-look-like-air-force-slides-aim-to-clarify-extremism-for-troops/

Navy Discussion Guide Extremism in the Ranks Stand-Down
https://media.defense.gov/2021/Feb/19/2002585964/-1/-1/0/NAVY%20DISCUSSION%20GUIDE_EXTREMISM%20IN%20THE%20RANKS%20STAND-DOWN.PDF/NAVY%20DISCUSSION%20GUIDE_EXTREMISM%20IN%20THE%20RANKS%20STAND-DOWN.PDF

BLM Demands
https://blacklivesmatter.com/blm-demands/

Black Lives Matter Linked to 91% of Riots Over 3 Months, Study Finds
https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/09/18/black-lives-matter-linked-to-91-of-riots-over-3-months-study-finds/

(U//FOUO) Black Identity Extremists Likely Motivated to Target Law Enforcement Officers 3 Aug 2017
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/4067711-BIE-Redacted.html

Chris and Jody are Air Force vets who enjoy military history and folklore. They have a podcast. They tell stories. They digress. A lot.

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