[TChris]

Islam and Islamic extremism are one and the same

How do you reconcile the fact that we have nearly 6000 Muslims serving in the US military, fighting terrorists?

[arthurus]

That is dangerous. Major Hassan. The fragger in Iraq, etc. What is there to "reconcile?" Some rare minor sects are no problem, such as the Druses and even Alewites. One or two ethnic versions are no problem like the Circassians, but all of these are regarded as illegitimate sects in Islam- apostates. That takes them out of the requirement for Jihad and Shariah. They are a very tiny portion of Islam, however.
Moslems, soldiers or citizens don't suddenly radicalize. The potential is always there. Their belief is radical from the time they memorize their first suras as small children. At some point some get a call and do their thing for Jihad. Who gets that call is only predictable for a small part of those who go out to kill. Who gets the call and when depends on what the umma needs for the propagation of Islam.