This is but one of the problems we see due to having overstretched the military. Was it wise to lower enlistment standards? I think this is just the tip of the iceberg. Time will tell if the military can handle the problems they’ve created for themselves.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/07/washingt...nyt&emc=rss
A decade after the Pentagon declared a zero-tolerance policy for racist hate groups, recruiting shortfalls caused by the war in Iraq have allowed "large numbers of neo-Nazis and skinhead extremists" to infiltrate the military, according to a watchdog organization.

http://www.army.com/blog/item/491
'm sure no system is perfect and that gang members probably do make it into the military. But I think it's probably more likely that gangs recruit people who've been in the military rather than try to send gang members to the military. Gangs have been around for ages and they get more sophisticated all the time. With the War on Terrorism raging, its no wonder that gangs will adopt some of the techniques used by terrorists because, that's what they are.

http://www.libertypost.org/cgi-bin/readart...94&Disp=All
Foreign citizens serving in the US military is a highly charged issue, which could expose the Pentagon to criticism that it is essentially using mercenaries to defend the country. Other analysts voice concern that a large contingent of noncitizens under arms could jeopardize national security or reflect badly on Americans' willingness to serve in uniform.

http://www.blairwatch.co.uk/node/1189
Ayran Nation spotted in Baghdad as are the Crips and the Bloods

http://gatesofvienna.blogspot.com/2006/05/...rs-in-iraq.html
this site loaded slow, quality photos of gang tags in Iraq

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...;type=printable
more info on gangs in military

http://stripes.com/article.asp?section=104...mp;archive=true
FBI says U.S. criminal gangs are using military to spread their reach

http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0711/p02s01-usmi.html
lower its standards, letting in less-qualified recruits as well as gang members and extremists.

http://www.streetgangs.com/topics/1995/072795cpblmil.html
LA street gangs infiltrate US army: The Crips
and the Bloods have been. uncovered within
the US military,

We actually had a discussion on this very topic this summer.
It starts here in this thread and is part of a larger thread. I haven't seen of any follow up stories on how this was addressed other than what was posted in the original stories - have you seen anything new?
http://www.commongroundcommonsense.org/for...st&p=575456

Like I said in the cited thread above; racism will not be tolerated in any form or fashion in the Marine Corps I served in. Anyone who believes they can practise racism best ask out now because if it happens while in a combat zone I would not like to have the responsibility of keeping that person in a healthy condition.

You are entirely right gunny, racism should never be tolerated. This whole mater is disgusting, how any gang bangers or supremacists got in the military in the first place is beyond me. Seems some recruiters may need some retraining and maybe a little discretion might be in order. Certainly the services are not that desperate for recruits are they?

Vaughn, military service is a pretty good place for a youngster to become a man, I can't fault someone for trying to better themselves. If they don't have a criminal convictions and are there to escape a dead end life they deserve a chance don't you think?

No vf, it's not the recruiters, it's the groups themselves who are counseling the younger ones in how to get in the service . Why? Because it's an opportune place to get all the weapons training they need without arousing suspicion. It's openly discussed on their forums.

If that be the case whoa be to the poor S.O.B. who is discovered in the Marine Corps there for that reason.

I can think of ways to screw over someone y'all would never dream of if I found someone under my charge there for alterior motives. I can make the phrase Hell on Earth sound like it's a garden party and someone messing up my Marine Corps WILL incur my wrath.

You’re an old f_rt, how much wrath have you got left in you?

Like a fine wine, it improves with age.