An active-duty soldier in the U.S. Army is following a neo-Nazi group on social media. This group, known as the Base, has made headlines for its violent ideology and recruitment efforts targeted at military personnel. Experts are concerned this highlights a larger issue of extremist views going unchecked within the military under current leadership.
For many, simply following a social media account might seem harmless. However, this particular soldier, part of the 1st Infantry Division, is linked to a group previously investigated by the FBI. There are also government guidelines that discourage such affiliations, which brings up questions about military oversight and accountability.
In February 2023, the Department of Defense suspended a key initiative meant to identify and eliminate extremist influences in the military. This decision stemmed from the Trump administration’s executive orders, leaving the Pentagon’s current approach to addressing these issues almost unclear. With the backdrop of the January 6 Capitol attack, it was revealed that over 150 participants had military connections, prompting a historic response from military leaders. They established a working group to tackle extremism and issued new policies regarding soldiers’ social media behavior.
Despite the Pentagon’s previous commitments, troubling developments continue. For instance, the Base operates a covert TikTok account that promotes its violent agenda, including threats against Ukraine and plans for recruiting soldiers. An investigation into this soldier’s social media activity is currently underway, but skeptics doubt the military will take significant action.
Experts like Heidi Beirich, co-founder of the Global Project Against Hate and Extremism, warn that dismissing far-right extremism in the military is dangerous. Historical precedents, such as the Oklahoma City bombing orchestrated by Timothy McVeigh—a veteran of the Gulf War—highlight the potential consequences of allowing these views to fester.
Moreover, the Base, designated a terrorist organization by several governments, is known to attract current and former servicemen. Its recruitment efforts aim to capitalize on individuals with military training, raising alarms about the culture within military ranks under the current administration.
Beirich notes that cases of former military personnel being involved in extremist activities are not isolated. For instance, recent events have seen former soldiers implicated in plots to attack infrastructure, such as power grids. These examples point to a worrying trend: the allure of extremist ideologies among those with military backgrounds continues to pose a significant risk.
As the military navigates how to confront these issues, experts argue that timely and decisive action is crucial. Soldiers’ associations with extremist groups should not be overlooked; the safety and integrity of the armed forces depend on accountability and transparency in combating these dangerous ideologies.
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