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Gangs in the Military…Zero

Tolerance

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“Are there members of the military that belong to gangs? No doubt about it. But the military is not rampant with gang members.”

- Provost Marshal Maj. Robert Ray, USA

How Big is the Problem?

Though the number of active duty military gang members is not large, members of nearly every major street gang, and some prison and outlaw motorcycle gangs, have been identified on both domestic and international military installations

Exact numbers are difficult to determine since many enlisted gang members conceal their gang affiliation and military authorities may not recognize gang affiliation

How Big is the Problem?

Gang members are found among all branches and most ranks, but are most common among the junior enlisted ranks

Military transfers have resulted in gang members, both service members and dependents, moving to new areas and establishing a gang presence

Dependent Children

Dependent children are at particular risk for gang recruitment, in part, because the frequent transfers and transient nature of their families often makes them feel isolated, vulnerable and in need of companionship

What is a Gang?

A group composed of three or more members Members share an identity, often linked to a

name, signs, symbols or territory Collectively engage in criminal activity that

creates an atmosphere of fear and intimidation

Although gangs vary extensively regarding membership, structure, age, and ethnicity, three basic types have emerged:

Street GangsPrison GangsOutlaw Motorcycle Gangs

Street Gangs

Of the three gang types, street gangs pose a significant threat because they are the largest and control the greatest geographical area

National level street gangs have been associated with drug trafficking and other criminal organizations in foreign countries

Prison Gangs Prison gangs originated within

the penal system, but continue to expand into the community as members are released. They are typically structured around racial or ethnic lines

They pose a serious domestic threat, as they are affiliated with foreign drug trafficking organizations and often maintain substantial influence over street gangs

Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs)

OMGs use their motorcycle clubs as conduits for criminal activity. They are highly structured and known for their violence and trafficking in weapons and drugs

The Military Misfits is an active-duty military motorcycle club with USN and USMC members. It is not an OMG, but it serves as a support club for OMG’s.

Extremist Hate Groups

Unlike gangs that tend to be linked to a name, signs, symbols or territory, extremist groups advocate supremacist causes and attempt to create illegal discrimination

Extremist groups advocate the use of force and are associated with hate crimes motivated by racial bias or racial/ethnic prejudice

Extremist Hate Groups

In January of 2004, an extremist group was addressed by its leader with the following statements:

"Don't operate like a battleship!" he shouted. "Operate like a Nazi submarine! Use your periscope! We have to infiltrate! Infiltrate the military! Infiltrate your local governments! Infiltrate your school board! Infiltrate law enforcement!"

Gang Identifiers

Graffiti One of the first indicators of a gang’s active

presence in the community Marks territorial boundaries Warns rival gangs and law enforcement of

their presence Can also be used to threaten or challenge

rivals, as an advertisement the sale of drugs, or as a memorial for a fallen gang member

Graffiti Interpretation

            

                          

Numbers rather than letters may appear in graffiti. Usually, this is a fairly easy code to break; gangs generally use the number which corresponds to the place the letter falls in the alphabet as in:

12.12.12 = L.L.L. = Love, Life, Loyalty

Additional Gang Graffiti

Gang Identifiers

Gang graffiti is now being seen in Iraq

Gang Identifiers Hand Signs

Used by street gangs and prison gangs as a silent language to communicate with others

Frequently used as a means of identifying gang members or as a way of showing allegiance to their gang and disrespect to rival gangs

Gang Identifiers Hand Signs

Gang Identifiers Language

Like graffiti and hand signs, gang members use a unique writing system to communicate

The system can include pictures or a coded alphabet to write encrypted messages

The alphabets often vary from gang to gang and set to set

Example of a gang Alphabet

Gang Identifiers

Tattoos Have long been used by gang members for a variety of

reasons, to include: Identification of gang membership Intimidation Record of the wearer’s personal history (such as skills,

specialties, accomplishments and convictions) Personal expression

Certain tattoo designs have developed recognized coded meanings Double lightning bolts are used by white supremacists to

indicate the number of stabbings they’ve committed

Gang Identifiers

Tattoos

Gang Identifiers

Tattoos

Gang Identifiers

Clothing/Accessories Sports teams, logos, brand names are often

worn by gang members, not in support of a particular product or team, but because the letters or symbols have a special meaning to a gang

Sports apparel logos can either represent a gang or relay a specific message

Gang Identifiers

Clothing/Accessories Accessories can also indicate gang membership Common accessories include:

Bandanas Jewelry – necklaces, bracelets, rings Pins

One problem today is that much of the street gang attire has crossed over into youth culture and is worn by kids with no gang affiliation

Gang Identifiers

Clothing and Military Uniforms

One side starched and the other iron pressed only (gang alignment side is starched)

One boot is highly shined and the other is brush shined (gang alignment side is highly shined)

What is the Effect of Gangs in the Navy and Marine Corps

If there aren’t a lot of gang members in the DON, then why are we concerned?

The spread of gang culture within the ranks disrupts good order and discipline increases criminal activity on or near installations threatens base security undermines the professionalism of the Department

of Navy

How are Gang Members Getting into the Navy and Marine Corps?

Falsifying criminal histories Concealing gang affiliations Recruiters turning a blind eye Lack of recognition of tattoos/signs

Why Would a Gang Member Join the Military?

Pros: To escape their current environment or gang lifestyle As an alternative to incarcerationCons: Encouraged by gang leadership to join in order to

receive training in weapons, combat, tactics, and other related fields

Learn, and pass on to other members, urban warfare skills to wage war against law enforcement, rival gangs and ordinary civilians

Gain access to weapons, explosives, gas masks, and other materials

DoD Policy DoD Instruction 1325.06, 27Nov09

Military personnel must not actively advocate supremacist doctrine, ideology, or causes that deprive individuals of their civil rights

Military personnel must reject active participation in criminal gangs and organizations that advocate supremacist doctrine Active participation includes, but is not limited to,

fundraising, rallying, recruiting, training, organizing, distributing material – including posting on-line – or any activity in furtherance of gang objectives that is contrary to good order, discipline or mission accomplishment.

The Cost of Gang Life In July 2005, 25-year old Army Sgt. Juwan Johnson died

in his barracks room in Kaiserslautern, Germany, following injuries sustained during a “jump in” – an initiation ceremony for a gang – which lasted 6 minutes and involved 9 soldiers and airmen dealing over 200 blows

After the assault, his fellow soldiers -- his new “family” -- left Johnson in his barracks room, where he subsequently died

His “family” partied at a local club while Sgt Johnson languished in his room

Juwan Johnson’s life as a gang member lasted 12 hours

Sgt Juwan Johnson

UCMJ Articles When a military gang member commits a crime, the primary

charges are connected to that crime (i.e. Narcotics, Aggravated Assault, Homicide, etc…), however the UCMJ allows for additional charges to increase judicial and/or non-judicial punishments:

Article 81 – Conspiracy Article 83 – Fraudulent Enlistment, Appointment or

Separation Article 107 – False Official Statements Article 116 – Riot or Breach of Peace Article 117 – Provoking Speeches or Gestures Article 134 – General Article related to conduct to bring

discredit to the armed services

Gang-Related Investigations NCIS has investigated a number of cases involving known

or suspected gang members. The investigations concern a wide range of criminal activity, to include the following:

Murder Narcotics (possession, transportation, distribution) Assault Armed Robbery Communicating a Threat Active Participation in a White Supremacist Hate Group

Caution

Be wary of stereotyping and prejudice:

People who disagree with you or have different beliefs are not, by virtue of that fact, extremists

A sailor wearing gang or extremist tattoos may be trying to leave gang life behind

Gang gestures, attitudes, and slang may only reflect young people being “cool”

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Questions?