Military trained gang members in the volunteer state- four year follow-up with the investigators
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The presence of military-trained gang members (MTGMs) in the community increases the threat of violence to citizens. The problem addressed was the growing presence of military-trained gang members in civilian communities in Tennessee. We examined the perceived presence of military-trained gang members of gang investigators at the annual conference and whether there had been changes since the previous survey. Many respondents reported gang members in their jurisdictions were increasingly using military-type weapons or explosives (51%), as well as military-type equipment like body armor, night-vision devices, etc. (30%). Although few (24%) agreed that gang members were using military-type tactics, a majority (over 90%) reported gang members committed home invasions and armed robberies. Many (46%) reported that there were gang members in their jurisdiction currently serving in the military, while 64% reported they had gang members who had served. Most of the respondents (66%) did not believe that military representatives advised their department when gang members were discharged from the military. More of the 2014 respondents than those in 2010 reported gang member use of military weapons, explosives, and equipment. More also reported gang members committed home invasions and armed robberies, and gang members currently in the military in their jurisdictions. Fewer thought their organization had a working relationship with military investigative authorities.
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Semelhante a Military trained gang members in the volunteer state- four year follow-up with the investigators
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Mais de Carter F. Smith, J.D., Ph.D.
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Military trained gang members in the volunteer state- four year follow-up with the investigators
- 1. Military-trained gang members in the Volunteer State: Four year follow-up with the investigators Smith, C.F., Middle Tennessee State University Choo, T., University of North Georgia 2015 Meeting - Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences https://www.academia.edu/11186031 http://goo.gl/xw2YPH #ACJS2015
- 2. Abstract The presence of military-trained gang members (MTGMs) in the community increases the threat of violence to citizens. The problem addressed was the growing presence of military-trained gang members in civilian communities in Tennessee. We examined the perceived presence of military-trained gang members of gang investigators at the annual conference and whether there had been changes since the previous survey. Many respondents reported gang members in their jurisdictions were increasingly using military-type weapons or explosives (51%), as well as military-type equipment like body armor, night- vision devices, etc. (30%). Although few (24%) agreed that gang members were using military-type tactics, a majority (over 90%) reported gang members committed home invasions and armed robberies. Many (46%) reported that there were gang members in their jurisdiction currently serving in the military, while 64% reported they had gang members who had served. Most of the respondents (66%) did not believe that military representatives advised their department when gang members were discharged from the military. More of the 2014 respondents than those in 2010 reported gang member use of military weapons, explosives, and equipment. More also reported gang members committed home invasions and armed robberies, and gang members currently in the military in their jurisdictions. Fewer thought their organization had a working relationship with military investigative authorities.
- 3. Introduction Military personnel with gang membership or affiliation in every military branch. Street Gangs, Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs), and Domestic Extremist groups all have members who have enlisted. join to get away from the lifestyle and criminal temptations trying to acquire military training and access to weapons and sensitive
- 4. Gang Members in the Military Military members with simultaneous membership in street gang agreed to support and defend leaders require a sworn oath Differential association includes premise that criminal behavior is learned with others in intimate personal groups. A modification resulted in differential identification. a person pursues criminal behavior to the extent that he identifies himself with persons from whose perspective criminal behavior seems acceptable individuals model behavior on basis of how others see them gives ability to associate with multiple groups whose values and norms oppose each other
- 5. Gang Members in the Military Military must insist upon respect for duty and a discipline without counterpart in civilian life. Laws and traditions governing military discipline were “founded on unique military exigencies as powerful now as in the past.” Military needs commitment from its service members. Commitment depends on a sequence of variables: a) job expectations and values b) a desire or intention to stay or leave c) an intention to leave that leads to leaving
- 6. Gang Members in the Military Loyalty within gang - little academic attention. Service members in finance, personnel & logistics exploit positions for gang's benefit. Indoctrination phase of military not accurately compared to gangs. Individuals with positions in both threaten security of military and community. Some become members of gangs after joining, others join specifically for certain training.
- 7. Gang Members in the Military Exploratory 1992 study of 91 members of an Illinois National Guard unit. Survey respondents estimated gang membership in military ranged from a low of zero to a high of 75% with a mean of 21.5%.
- 8. Gang Members in the Military 1996 task force members evaluating extremists reported gangs more pervasive. No prohibitions against gang membership by U.S. service members. Both Army and DoD prohibited active membership in extremist groups. Consider street gangs extremist groups although no specific mention.
- 9. Gang Members in the Military 2006 Gang Activity Threat Assessment (GATA) reported increase in gang- related investigations and incidents. Drug trafficking most common - 31% Assaults, homicides, and robberies Recent assessments - same results. The DoD started distinguishing Street Gangs from Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMG) and Domestic Terrorist Extremist (DE) groups in their annual reports.
- 10. DoDI 1325.6, Change 1, February 22, 2012, said: Commanders should remain alert for signs of future prohibited activities. . . . intervene early . . . . minimize risk of future prohibited activities. Commanders usually don't see what someone does off-duty as something that falls into those categories.
- 11. Military-trained Street Gang Members (MTGMs) and the Community In U.S. Army CID Assessment FY 2012: 37 criminal reports of investigation involved street gangs. 3 investigations involved gang-motivated crimes. 34 reports gang member was subject, offender, or victim with no apparent gang-related motivation. 19 were drug-related. 5 were homicide-related. 7 were sex crime-related. Remaining cases were assault, larceny, and failure to obey. 38 subjects, 31 soldiers, 28 active duty.
- 12. MTGMs and the Community 37 Criminal Intelligence (CRIMINT) reports associated with street gangs. 51 individuals identified. 21 Soldiers, 18 active duty. 29 individuals with no DoD affiliation and 1 dependent Family member. Majority of subjects were black, male, 20- 24 years of age, junior enlisted Soldiers.
- 13. Outlaw Motorcycle Gang (OMG) Members in the Military 5 felony investigations. 8 subjects, all active duty. 59 CRIMINT reports. 135 individuals suspected affiliation with OMGs and support clubs. 113 Soldiers, 91 active duty. Offenses of murder, wrongful distribution of drugs, assault, fraud, and failure to obey. Majority of subjects white, male, 20-24 years of age, senior enlisted.
- 14. Domestic Terrorist Extremists (DEs) in the Military 7 DE investigations. 4 investigations involved DE motivated crimes. 25 CRIMINT reports associated with DEs. 30 individuals, 22 Soldiers, 17 active duty Drug related offenses, murder, assault, communicating a threat, provoking speech or gesture, threats, and failure to obey. 4 members of white supremacist groups 2 members of militia groups 1 member of anti-government group 15 subjects identified, 12 Soldiers, all active duty. Majority of subjects white, male, 20-24 years of age, junior enlisted.
- 15. Methodology Aug 2014, survey of attendees at Tennessee Gang Investigators' Association (TNGIA) conference. Modified Military Gang Perception Questionnaire, presence of Military-Trained Gang Members (MTGMs), use of military weapons, equipment, and tactics, indicators of military training, and MTGMs in respondents’ jurisdictions. Limited demographic questions.
- 16. Methodology 164 members attending 2014 conference. Final sample N = 70 participants. Response rate provided a 95% confidence level and 8.9% margin of error. Tennessee considered a mature gang state. Gangs and related groups have a significant presence and acknowledgement and official counter-response by most law enforcement. 2010 TNGIA membership administered MGPQ, most of the same primary questions used. This survey served as a follow-up, but no measures to ensure same respondents surveyed.
- 17. Survey Results 1) Gang members in my jurisdiction are increasingly using military-type weapons or explosives. 51% A-SA (13% more) 2) Gang members in my jurisdiction use military-type equipment (body armor, night- vision, etc.). 30% A-SA (12% more) 3) Gang members in my jurisdiction use military-type tactics. 24% D-SD AND A-SA (2% more) 4) Gang members in my jurisdiction commit
- 18. Survey Results 5) Gang members in my jurisdiction commit armed robberies. 93% A-SA (15% more) 6) There are gang members in my jurisdiction that currently serve in the military. 46% A-SA (17% more) 7) There are gang members in my jurisdiction that have served in the military in the past. 64% A-SA (15% more) 8) Military representatives advise our department when gang members are
- 19. Presence of Gangs in the Military Street gangs represented by MTGMs in respondents' jurisdictions: Bloods 64% Crips 67% Gangster Disciples 61% Vice Lords 50% Mara Salvatrucha 17% OMGs represented by the MTGMs in respondents' jurisdictions included: Outlaws 88% Hells Angels 20% Black Pistons 16% DEs represented by the MTGMs in respondents' jurisdictions included: White Supremacists 87% Sovereign Citizen 71% Racist Skinhead 26% Black Supremacists 11%
- 20. Presence of Gangs in the Military Criminal investigations of MTGMs: Drugs, Sexual Assaults, Assaults, Weapon Smuggling, Homicides, and Robberies. Most (43%) respondents reported 1-10% of the gang members in their jurisdictions were military- trained gang members. Some (9%) respondents estimated number as high as 20%. 2010 survey respondents reported mean of 11% gang members MTGMs. Most (44%) respondents reported the MTGMs received military training directly, from U.S. military. Some (10%) reported the MTGMs in their jurisdiction received military training indirectly. One (1%) reported the MTGM they identified received training directly, from another military.
- 21. Analysis Chi square analysis showed statistically significant association on use equipment, use tactics, gang members currently serving in the military, gang members served in military in past, and military advising on discharged gang members from the military. Some statistically significant differences on MTGM presence variables (use weapons, use equipment, use tactics, commit home invasion, commit armed robberies, gang members currently serving in the military, gang members served in the military in the past, and military advising on discharged gang members from the military). No statistically significant difference on existence of gang group with military training and military branch with gang members. No statistically significant difference on MTGM presence 2010-2014.
- 22. Gangs in Today’s Military
- 23. Gangs in Today’s Military 2012 Assessment suggested commanders should continue to enforce DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1325.06, 22 Feb 12. DoDI 1325.06 states military personnel must reject active participation in criminal gangs and other organizations that advocate supremacist, extremist, or criminal gang doctrine, ideology, or causes. Presence of gang members in the military should be aggressively examined, questioned, and reported. Goal should be to limit opportunities to join and be retained and subsequently released to the civilian community. More significant than gang members in the military is increasing presence of MTGMs in civilian communities, and ability to increase dangerousness and avoid detection by law enforcement because of their skills.
- 24. Significant changes 2010- 2014: 13% more - gang members used military-type weapons 12% more - gang members used military equipment. 16% more - gang members committed home invasions. 15% more - gang members committed armed robberies. 17% more - gang members currently in the military. 5% fewer - military not advise when gang members released.
- 25. Said another way 2012 survey - 30,116 gang members in TN 14,000 law enforcement officers 6.4 million residents .5% of the population in gangs and If 10% of the gang members had military training, that means there are 3000 MTGMs in Tennessee. x 100 for U.S.?
- 26. References Chávez, A.C. (2013, February 26). El Paso drug cartel killing: Victim was stalked. El Paso Times (online0. Retrieved from http://www.elpasotimes.com/newupdated/ci_22671616/accused-shooter-may- testify-east-el-paso-cartel Gade, P. A. (2003). Organizational commitment in the Military: An overview. Military Psychology, 15(3), 163-166. doi :10.1207/S15327876MP1503_01 Glaser, D. (1956). Theories and behavioral images. The American Journal of Sociology. 61(5) 433-444. doi:10.1086/221802 Greig, A. (2013, August 4). Mexican drug cartels are using U.S. military personnel as guns-for-hire. Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article- 2384325/Mexican-drug-cartels-use-U-S-military-guns-hire.html Knox, G. W. (2006). An introduction to gangs (6th ed.). Peotone, IL: New Chicago School Press. Lee, T. W. & Mowday, R. T. (1987). Voluntarily leaving an organization: An empirical investigation of Steers and Mowday’s model of turnover. Academy of Management Journal. 30(4) 721-743. doi: 10.2307/256157 National Gang Intelligence Center [NGIC]. (2007). Intelligence assessment: Gang- related activity in the US armed forces increasing. Crystal City, VA: National Gang Intelligence Center. National Gang Intelligence Center [NGIC]. (2013). National gang report - 2013. Washington, DC: National Gang Intelligence Center. Smith, C.F. (2012). Gang Investigators' Perceptions of Military-Trained Gang Members in the Southern U.S. Submitted to American Society of Criminology
- 27. References Smith, C. F. (2015). Military-Trained Gang Members – Two different perspectives. Journal of Gang Research, forthcoming (2015). Sutherland, E. H. (1940). White-Collar Criminality. American Sociological Review, 5(1) 1. doi: 10.2307/2083937 U.S. Army (1993). Close Quarters Combat Techniques. Appendix K, Field Manual (FM) 19-10. (Change 1, 1995). http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/ policy/ army/fm/90-10/90- 10apg.htm U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Command. (2006). Summary report gang activity threat assessment fiscal year 2006: A review of gang activity affecting the Army. U.S. Army Criminal Investigations Command. (2013). Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12) Gang and Domestic Extremist Activity Threat Assessment (GDEATA). U. S. Department of Defense (2007). Enlistment/reenlistment document. Armed Forces of the United States: DD Form 4/1. Retrieved from http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/infomgt/forms/eforms/dd0004.pdf Valdez, A. (2009). Gangs Across America: History and Sociology. San Clemente, CA: LawTech.
- 28. Military-trained gang members in the Volunteer State: Four year follow-up with the investigators Smith, C.F., MTSU, carter.smith@mtsu.edu Choo, T., University of North Georgia 2015 Meeting - Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences 615-656-3505 https://www.academia.edu/11186031 http://goo.gl/xw2YPH #ACJS2015
Notas do Editor
- The presence of military-trained gang members (MTGMs) in the community increases the threat of violence to citizens. The problem addressed was the growing presence of military-trained gang members in civilian communities in Tennessee. We examined the perceived presence of military-trained gang members of gang investigators at the annual conference and whether there had been changes since the previous survey. Many respondents reported gang members in their jurisdictions were increasingly using military-type weapons or explosives (51%), as well as military-type equipment like body armor, night-vision devices, etc. (30%). Although few (24%) agreed that gang members were using military-type tactics, a majority (over 90%) reported gang members committed home invasions and armed robberies. Many (46%) reported that there were gang members in their jurisdiction currently serving in the military, while 64% reported they had gang members who had served. Most of the respondents (66%) did not believe that military representatives advised their department when gang members were discharged from the military. More of the 2014 respondents than those in 2010 reported gang member use of military weapons, explosives, and equipment. More also reported gang members committed home invasions and armed robberies, and gang members currently in the military in their jurisdictions. Fewer thought their organization had a working relationship with military investigative authorities.
- Military Criminal Investigative Organizations (MCIO) - the Army Criminal Investigation Command (CID), Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), and Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) - have identified military personnel with gang membership or affiliation in every branch of the Armed Forces (NGIC, 2013). While military laws prohibit active membership in such extremist groups, service members in street gangs, Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMGs), and Domestic Extremist groups all have service members who have enlisted. Gang members and associates who join the military may join in order to get away from the lifestyle and the criminal temptations associated with it. They may also be trying to acquire military training and access to weapons and sensitive information (NGIC, 2013).
- Military members with simultaneous membership in a street gang have a dilemma. On the one hand, they agreed to support and defend the Constitution of the U.S. and obey the orders of the President and officers appointed over them (U.S. Department of Defense, 2007). Simultaneously, street gang leaders require a sworn oath to the beliefs and laws of the members of their street gang (Knox, 2006). When trying to understand how gang members can have strong allegiance to two very different organizations, the theory of differential association provides a foundation. Sutherland (1940) proposed the theory in contradiction to the often-held contemporary notion that the commission of crime was limited to those in the lower social classes. The principles of differential association include the premise that criminal behavior is learned in communication with others within intimate personal groups. The process of learning criminal behavior by association with criminal and anti-criminal patterns involves all the mechanisms involved in any other learning process (Sutherland, 1940). A modification to Sutherland’s differential association theory resulted in the observation that individuals model their behavior on the basis of how others see them, rationalizing their behavior when role-conflicts exist. Glaser (1956) identified that as differential identification, which means “a person pursues criminal behavior to the extent that he identifies himself with real or imaginary persons from whose perspective his criminal behavior seems acceptable” (p. 440). Prior identification and present circumstances play key roles in the selection of people with whom we identify, and affect the ability to associate with one group (a criminal street gang), while maintaining employment by or membership in a second group (like the military) whose institutional values and norms oppose those of the first group.
- As Justice Powell wrote for a majority of Supreme Court Justices, “the military must insist upon a respect for duty and a discipline without counterpart in civilian life” (Schlesinger v. Councilman, 1975, majority opinion, p. 757). Military leadership expects commitment from subordinates because committed subordinates do their work better, stay in the military, and are good citizens (Gade, 2003). The laws and traditions governing military discipline were “founded on unique military exigencies as powerful now as in the past” (Schlesinger v. Councilman, majority opinion, p. 757). The military needs commitment from its service members (Gade, 2003). Commitment, as evidenced by an employee’s staying with or departing from an organization, depended on a sequence of variables: a) job expectations and values, b) a desire or intention to stay or leave, and c) an intention to leave that leads to leaving (Lee & Mowday, 1987).
- When scholars have examined the various aspects of gang life, loyalty within the gang organization has received little or no attention. Service members who trained to fight in battle were not the only positions in which the loyalty of a gang member would be an issue (Valdez, 2009). Service members who controlled the finances and personnel assignments, as well as those who oversee logistics shipments can exploit their positions for the gang's benefit. The indoctrination phase of the military cannot be accurately compared to those used by gangs. Individuals who hold positions in both present a threat to the security of the military unit and community (NGIC, 2007). Some soldiers become members of or affiliate with gangs after joining the Army, while others join the military specifically for certain training.
- In 1992, Knox conducted an exploratory study of a sample of convenience comprised of 91 members of an Illinois National Guard unit. An incident involving the death of a child had occurred in a large public housing complex that was known for gang violence. The shooter, a gang member, had served in the military, and public officials had suggested the possibility that the National Guard could have been called to assist in suppressing the gang problem (Knox). Survey respondents estimated that gang membership in the military ranged from a low of zero to a high of 75% with a mean of 21.5% (Knox, 2006). The responses indicated that the Army National Guard was thought to have the highest percentage of former or current gang members in its ranks (a mean of 21.5%). The Coast Guard was thought to have the lowest percentage, with a mean of 6.3%. Gang Members in the Military In 1996, in response to racially-motivated homicide of a civilian couple by soldiers, members of a Department of the Army task force evaluated the effects of extremist groups and reported that, "gang-related activities appear to be more pervasive than extremist activities as defined in Army Regulation (AR) 600-20" (U.S. Department of Defense [DoD], 1996, para. 16). At the time there was no prohibition against gang membership by U.S. service members. Both AR 600-20 and DoD Directive 1325.6 (later changed to DoD Instruction (DoDI) – Guidelines for Handling Dissident and Protest Activities Among Members of the Armed Forces) prohibited active membership in extremist groups, and many leaders and investigators considered street gangs to be extremist groups although neither of the documents specifically mentioned street gangs.
- The authors of the 2006 U.S. Army Gang Activity Threat Assessment (GATA) reported an increase in both gang-related investigations and incidents in 2006 over previous years. The most common gang-related crime was drug trafficking, which encompassed 31% of the gang-related offenses reported for the year (CID, 2006). Although drug-related criminal activity often exists where violent crime exists, that was not all that was learned from the survey. Three assaults, two homicides, and two robberies were also reported as gang-related crimes in 2006 (CID). More recent internal investigations have yielded much the same results. The Department of Defense recently started distinguishing Street Gangs from Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs (OMG) and Domestic Terrorist Extremist (DE) groups in their annual reports.
- An update to DoDI 1325.6, Change 1, February 22, 2012, included this guidance: a. Commanders should remain alert for signs of future prohibited activities. They should intervene early, primarily through counseling, when observing such signs even though the signs may not rise to active advocacy or active participation or may not threaten good order and discipline, but only suggest such potential. The goal of early intervention is to minimize the risk of future prohibited activities. The reality was that Commanders (and other unit leaders) remained alert for signs of bad morale and things that affect the unit mission (Smith, 2012). They usually don't see what someone does off-duty as something that falls into those categories. The military was not designed to engage in early intervention or minimizing the risk of future prohibited activities. Those are activities for communities where there are youth gangs who can be deterred from crime. All military members are adults, and those who are both gang members and military service members are often far past intervention time (Smith, 2012).
- In the most recently available U.S. Army CID Assessment, that of fiscal year (FY) 2012, 37 criminal reports of investigation involved members of street gangs. Of those, 3 investigations involved gang-motivated crimes. The gang-motivated crimes involved gang-related incidents whose motivation, interest, or circumstances enhanced the status or function of the gang. The remaining 34 reports involved crimes in which a gang member was the subject, offender, or victim with no apparent gang-related motivation. Of the investigations, 19 were drug-related; 5 were homicide-related; and 7 were sex crime-related. The remaining six cases were comprised of various offenses such as assault, larceny, and failure to obey. There were 38 subjects identified, 31 of whom were soldiers, 28 of which were active duty.
- In addition to the investigations, there were 37 Criminal Intelligence (CRIMINT) reports associated with street gangs. Within the CRIMINT reporting, 51 individuals were identified as having suspected affiliation with street gangs. There were 21 Soldiers, of whom 18 were active duty. The remaining individuals included 29 individuals with no DoD affiliation and 1 DoD affiliated person who was a dependent Family member. The majority of the 38 subjects were black, male, 20-24 years of age, single, and junior enlisted Soldiers (E1-E4).
- In the most recently available U.S. Army CID Assessment (FY 2012), 5 were felony investigations involved OMGs with eight subjects, all active duty soldiers. In addition, there were 59 CRIMINT reports associated with OMGs, with 135 individuals identified as having suspected affiliation with OMGs and support clubs. There were 113 Soldiers, of which 91 were active duty Soldiers. The investigations involved the offenses of murder, wrongful distribution of drugs, assault, fraud, and failure to obey. The majority of the 8 subjects in the felony OMG investigations were white, male, 20-24 years of age, and senior enlisted Soldiers (E5-E9).
- In the FY2012 Assessment, there were seven DE investigations; with four investigations involved DE motivated crimes. In addition to those, there were 25 CRIMINT reports associated with DEs. Within the CRIMINT reporting, 30 individuals were identified as having suspected affiliation with DEs. There were 22 Soldiers, of which 17 were active duty Soldiers. The remaining eight individuals had no DoD affiliation. The DE investigations involved drug related offenses, murder, assault, communicating a threat, provoking speech or gesture, threats, and failure to obey. Four investigations involved members of white supremacist groups, two involved militia groups, and one involved an anti-government group. There were 15 subjects identified, 12 of whom were Soldiers, all were active duty. The majority of the subjects were white, male, 20-24 years of age, single, and junior enlisted Soldiers (E1-E4).
- On 25 Aug 2014, a survey was conducted of attendees at the Tennessee Gang Investigators' Association (TNGIA) annual training conference in Chattanooga, TN. The survey instrument, the Modified Military Gang Perception Questionnaire, contained questions designed to identify the respondents’ perceptions of the presence of Military-Trained Gang Members (MTGMs) in their jurisdictions. The survey asked for responses to questions using a Likert scale to assess the level of agreement with the statement/question (Strongly Disagree, Disagree, No Opinion, Agree, and Strongly Agree). The survey questions specifically referred to the respondents’ perception of use of military weapons, equipment, and tactics by gang members in the respondents’ jurisdictions. Questions were asked to assess indicators of MTGMs, whether they directly obtained the training or training was passed on by someone else who received the training directly, and the knowledge and sources of knowledge regarding MTGMs in the respondents’ jurisdictions. Limited demographic and employment-related questions were asked.
- Data were sought from the population of 164 members of the TNGIA attending the 2014 Association conference. The final sample consisted of N = 70 participants who answered all or almost all of the questions on the survey. The response rate provided a 95% confidence level and an 8.9% margin of error. For the purpose of this survey, Tennessee was considered a mature gang state. That means that gangs and related groups have a significant presence in the state and that there has been acknowledgement of their presence and an official counter-response by most law enforcement jurisdictions. In 2010, the TNGIA membership was administered the MGPQ, and most of the same primary questions were used. This survey served as a follow-up survey of the TNGIA membership, although no measures were taken to determine if or ensure that the same respondents were surveyed.
- The primary questions were designed to determine the perception of the respondents regarding the presence of MTGMs in his or her community. The questions were as follows: 1) Gang members in my jurisdiction are increasingly using military-type weapons or explosives. Fifty-one percent of the respondents reported agreement regarding the use of military weapons and explosives by gang members in their jurisdiction. This was consistent with responses from the previous 5 years. Typical responses in other surveys ranged between 18-55%. Thirty-eight percent of survey respondents in the 2010 MGPQ survey of TNGIA members reported gang members in their jurisdiction were increasingly using military or military-type weapons, while 18% reported their gang members were increasingly using military equipment (explosives, body armor, night-vision, etc.). Although the questions were slightly different, it appears that 13% more of the respondents in 2014 than in 2010 reported an increase in the use of military or military-type weapons by gang members in their jurisdictions. Strongly Disagree 9% Disagree 16% No Opinion 17% Agree 37% Strongly Agree 14% A follow-up question asked about the source of the weapons or explosives, if known. Responses ranged from pawn shops to thefts from residences. Less than 20% of the respondents provided an answer to the question. 2) Gang members in my jurisdiction use military-type equipment (body armor, night-vision, etc.). Many of the respondents (30%) reported agreement. That was consistent with responses to the survey from other GIAs in the previous 5 years, in which typical responses ranged from 13% to 34%. Eighteen percent of respondents in the 2010 survey reported their gang members were increasingly using military equipment (explosives, body armor, night-vision, etc.). An increase of 12% was identified. Strongly Disagree 6% Disagree 21% No Opinion 34% Agree 23% Strongly Agree 7% A follow-up question asked about the source of the military-type equipment, if known. Responses ranged from pawn shops to thefts from residences to the blackmarket. Less than 20% of the respondents provided an answer to the question. 3) Gang members in my jurisdiction use military-type tactics. The responses indicated the same percentage of respondents disagreed (24%) as agreed (24%). The responses were consistent with surveys from the previous 5 years, which ranged from 13% to 37% in agreement. Respondents in the 2010 survey were 22% in agreement. Strongly Disagree 3% Disagree 21% No Opinion 40% Agree 21% Strongly Agree 3% 4) Gang members in my jurisdiction commit home invasions. The question was used to determine if respondents naturally consider the movements of participants in a home invasion as military tactics. In a classic home invasion robbery, two or more gang members forcefully enter a private home or apartment armed with weapons to control the actions of the occupants with the goal of stealing property and committing other opportunistic crimes (McGoey, 2014). A gang home invasion may appear similar to the action of police executing a no-knock warrant or raiding a drug house. It also has similarities to the military tactic of breaching and clearing a dwelling as part of close-quarters combat tactics (U.S. Army, 1993). Most (91%) reported agreement. Those responses were consistent with survey responses in the previous 5 years. Survey respondents in 2010 reported 75% agreement with the statement. More (16%) respondents in the follow-up (2014) survey reported the gang members in their jurisdiction were committing home invasions. Strongly Disagree 0% Disagree 6% No Opinion 3% Agree 51% Strongly Agree 40%
- 5) Gang members in my jurisdiction commit armed robberies. The question was also used to clarify the responses from the previous question, to determine if respondents naturally considered the actions of armed robbery as similar to a military tactic. A majority of respondents (93%) reported agreement, in line with previous survey responses. Survey respondents in 2010 reported 78% agreement. Fifteen percent more of the respondents in the 2014 survey reported armed robberies being committed by the gang members in their jurisdiction. Strongly Disagree 3% Disagree 4% No Opinion 0% Agree 47% Strongly Agree 46% 6) There are gang members in my jurisdiction that currently serve in the military. Most (46%) respondents agreed with this statement, although almost one-third (37%) had no opinion. Previous survey responses to this question typically ranged from 16% to 33% in agreement. Twenty-nine percent of survey respondents in the 2010 survey reported agreement. Seventeen percent more respondents reported gang members in their jurisdiction were currently in the military. Strongly Disagree 0% Disagree 16% No Opinion 37% Agree 29% Strongly Agree 17% Answers to a follow up question revealed 27% of those reporting the presence of active duty gang members had notified military authorities. The MCIOs have provided contact information via the NGIC and that information was included in the survey follow up. 7) There are gang members in my jurisdiction that have served in the military in the past. About two-thirds (64%) of the respondents agreed with the statement. That was similar to, though higher than, previous surveys, which have ranged from 13% to 59% in agreement. Survey respondents in 2010 reported 47% agreement. Strongly Disagree 1% Disagree 7% No Opinion 26% Agree 47% Strongly Agree 17% 8) Military representatives advise our department when gang members are discharged. Most respondents (66%) reported disagreement with this statement. Typical responses range from 60% to 94%. Survey respondents in 2010 reported 81% disagreement. There were 15% fewer respondents in the recent survey that thought the military did not advise their department when gang members were released. Strongly Disagree 20% Disagree 46% No Opinion 27% Agree 4% Strongly Agree 0% Question 8 was related to a follow-up question, which asked, Does your department/ organization have a working relationship with military investigative authorities? Most respondents to that question (59%) reported they did not while 26% reported they did. Thirty-seven percent of the respondents in 2010 reported they did have such a working relationship, while 61% reported they did not. Typical responses in previous surveys seemed to be affected by perception or awareness. It was possible that surveyed agency representatives were not aware of a working relationship. It was also possible that there was no such relationship. Regardless of the reason, 11% fewer reported a working relationship.
- Street gangs represented by MTGMs in respondents' jurisdictions: Bloods 64% Crips 67% Gangster Disciples 61% Vice Lords 50% Mara Salvatrucha 17% OMGs represented by the MTGMs in respondents' jurisdictions included: Outlaws 88% Hells Angels 20% Black Pistons 16% DEs represented by the MTGMs in respondents' jurisdictions included: White Supremacists 87% Sovereign Citizen 71% Racist Skinhead 26% Black Supremacists 11%
- Criminal investigations that military-trained gang members reportedly had some level of involvement with included: Drugs, Sexual Assaults, Assaults, Weapon Smuggling, Homicides, and Robberies. Like their civilian counterparts, MTGMs typically commit crimes including drug trafficking, assaults, threats, intimidation, weapons trafficking, robberies, thefts, burglaries, fencing stolen goods, vandalism, and homicides. Most (43%) respondents reported 1-10% of the gang members in their jurisdictions were military-trained gang members. Some (9%) respondents estimated the number was as high as 20%, and many (23%) reported none (0%) of their gang members were MTGMs. Survey respondents in 2010 reported a mean of 11% of their gang members were MTGMs. In response to a follow up question, most (44%) respondents reported the MTGMs in their jurisdiction received military training directly, as a member of the U.S. military. Some (10%) reported the MTGMs in their jurisdiction received military training indirectly, from a member or former member of the U.S. military. One (1%) reported the MTGM they identified received training directly, from another military.
- Chi square analysis showed a statistically significant association on use equipment, use tactics, gang members currently serving in the military, gang members served in the military in the past, and military advising on discharged gang members from the military. There was some statistically significant differences on MTGM presence variables (use weapons, use equipment, use tactics, commit home invasion, commit armed robberies, gang members currently serving in the military, gang members served in the military in the past, and military advising on discharged gang members from the military). There was no statistically significant difference on existence of gang group with military training and military branch with gang members. Mann-Whitney U test and t-test to compare means between 2010 survey and 2014 survey revealed no statistically significant difference on MTGM presence.
- Figure 7-X. Gangs and Groups Identified in FY12. Source: U.S. Army. (2013). US Army Criminal Investigation Command’s Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12) Gang and Domestic Extremist Activity Threat Assessment (GDEATA).
- In the 2012 Assessment, the authors suggested that commanders should continue to enforce DoD Instruction (DoDI) 1325.06, 22 Feb 12. The DoDI 1325.06 states military personnel must reject active participation in criminal gangs and other organizations that advocate supremacist, extremist, or criminal gang doctrine, ideology, or causes. Examples of active participation include fundraising, recruiting, wearing colors or clothing, or having tattoos or body markings associated with gangs or DE groups. Thus, the presence of gang members in the military should be aggressively examined, questioned, and reported. Instead of accepting the existence of gang members in the military community, the goal should be to limit opportunities to join and be retained and subsequently released to the civilian community (Smith, 2015). Although the MCIOs do well to identify the gang-related crimes committed in their ranks, the larger problem is not the presence, with or without criminal activity, of gang members in the military (Smith, 2015). More significant than gang members in the military is the increasing presence of MTGMs in the civilian communities, and their ability to increase the dangerousness of the organized criminal element and avoid detection by law enforcement because of their skills.
- Significant (more than 5%) changes between the 2010 survey and the 2014 survey included: 13% more of 2014 respondents reported gang member use of military-type weapons 12% more respondents reported gang members increasingly used military equipment. 16% more 2014 respondents reported gang members committed home invasions. 15% more respondents in 2014 reported gang members committed armed robberies. 17% more respondents reported gang members were currently in the military. 5% fewer respondents thought the military did not advise their department when gang members were released. 11% fewer respondents thought their organization had a working relationship with military investigative authorities.
- A recent (2012) survey of local law enforcement agencies by the Tennessee Governor’s Public Safety Forum identified an estimated 30,116 gang members in the state , with approximately half of the jurisdictions reporting a gang presence. In contrast, there were an estimated 14,000 law enforcement officers in the state. There were an estimated 6.4 million residents in the state at the time, so it approximately .5% of the population was involved in gang activity. If 10% of the gang members in Tennessee had military training, that means there are 3000 MTGMs in Tennessee.