Gang Members Get Trained in the Army

New American Media ^ | March 9, 2008 | Claudia Núñez

[Clintonfatigued]

While hundreds of Mexican soldiers are deserting the army to join drug trafficking gangs, California is facing the opposite problem: A growing number of gang members here have infiltrated the U.S. Armed Forces in order to receive military training.

The numbers speak for themselves: In 2003 there were just 16 incidents of gang members in the U.S. Armed Forces, while in 2006 the total was 10,309, according to the study, "Gang-Related Activity in the U.S. Armed Forces Increasing," released in 2007 by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Twenty-two official entities, including the Los Angeles Police Department, participated in the report.

This study, classified as sensitive and meant for use by official agencies, reveals the presence of street gangs like the Mexican Mafia (EME), the Mara Salvatrucha, Hells Angels, The 18th Street Gang, the Norteños, the Sureños, as well as various supremacist groups on military bases.

[MSF BU]

You are correct: this guy was destined to be a punk before a judge sent him on a date with the Marine Corps:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R._Lee_Ermey

[SoCal Pubbie]

"It is just that most of the societal collapse stories coincide with california."

You're joking, right? All those naughty teachers screwing their students, those are all in California. All the shootings at colleges lately, those were all in California? The crazy mom who drove her kids into the lake, that was in California? Mike Nifong, John Murtha, CindySheehan, they're all from California. Riiight! BTW, here's my little slice of the cesspool:



High today of 76, sunny, good visibility with gentle breezes cooling things off in the afternoon. I was out yesterday in a friend's power boat off Dana Point. Grilling ribs right now for dinner.

How was your day?

[Cicero]

Good story. I wonder how many judges these days would have enough sense to offer military service as an alternative.

[BamaGirl]

You’re in Dana Point? I visited there 2 weekends ago! You’re right, it is gorgeous there. And yall have the biggest Mercedes dealership I have ever seen! :)

I told my liberal friends at work about going there and they warned me about going behind the “Orange Curtain.” They said it was a place where “rich conservative Republicans live and nothing happens.” They were shocked when I told them how much I enjoyed my visit.

I’ve lived in the bay area for ten years. I honestly can’t believe that the OC is part of California. It is so much nicer, cleaner and well-kept than any other region I’ve visited.

[SoCal Pubbie]

No, I live in Mission Viejo. About 10 -12 miles inland.

[SwinneySwitch]

Fall of Rome ping!

If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.

[DaGman]

This is what has happened because the military has dropped it’s recruiting standards so low in order to meet recruiting goals.

[Sawdring]

I think you might have to find out when the episode is playing again. I have that Gangland series Tivo’ed. It is pretty good and I hope they get into the Russian mob at some point.