Pentagon focuses on extremists

WASHINGTON — The U.S. military is focusing on identifying extremist organizations in the United States that are trying to recruit members from within the armed forces. A top official compared the recruitment effort to that undertaken by international terrorist groups trying to lure the support of service members.

Senior Enlisted Adviser to the Chairman Ramon ColonLopez said the Defense Department is talking with federal law enforcement agencies as they develop databases on domestic extremist groups in the wake of the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S.

Capitol. Military leaders are intent on developing training for troops that makes clear they should not get involved with such groups.

“We do know that our force is being made aware of those organizations that are out there that are actively recruiting people,” said ColonLopez. “And we need to make sure that they stand clear from them. It’s not good for the department and it’s not good for the image of the military.”

The military has long been aware of small numbers of white supremacists and other extremists in its ranks. But Pentagon leaders opened an allout effort to root out extremism in the force after it became clear that a significant number of military veterans and some current military members were present at the January insurrection in Washington.

More than 300 people have been charged so far in the riot that resulted in the deaths of five people, and at least 100 more are expected to be charged. Of those, as many as 33 individuals had military backgrounds, including 31 veterans and a member of the National Guard and a member of the Army Reserves, according to the Program on Extremism at George Washington University.