The Department of Defense (DOD) issued updated and detailed policies prohibiting service members from actively engaging in “extremist activities,” warning that extremism in the ranks is on the rise and training service members on warning signs of extremism.
The new guidelines come after some current and former service members participated in the events at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. The DOD initiated a department-wide stand-down and review of current extremism policies.
According to DOD News, Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) Lloyd Austin stated, “The overwhelming majority of the men and women of the Department of Defense serve this country with honor and integrity. They respect the oath they took to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. We are grateful for that dedication. We owe the men and women of the Department of Defense an environment free of extremist activities, and we owe our country a military that reflects the founding values of our democracy.”
In November, Military.com reported at least five service members are suspected of being involved in the protests at the U.S. Capitol on January 6. These individuals were involved in the events that damaged government buildings and injured police.
The number represents just a fraction of the over 2 million people currently serving in the United States Military. Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said the “vast majority of men and women in our armed forces… serve honorably,” Fox News reports.
With military members involved in the U.S. Capitol events, Defense Secretary Austin and other leaders launched a broader campaign to root out extremism in the force and established working groups to review current DOD extremism policies.
In February, the SECDEF ordered a service-wide stand-down to discuss extremism in the ranks. He also established the Countering Extremism Working Group (CEWG) to address concerns, including how the military defines participation in an extremist group and review the extent of extremism within the DOD.
In a message to the U.S. Military, Defense Secretary Austin said that the department believes only a few service members break their oath to support and defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic, through their engagement in extremist activities.
“Even the actions of a few can have an outsized impact on unit cohesion, morale, and readiness – and the physical harm some of these activities can engender can undermine the safety of our people,” Austin said.
The updated policy, DODI 1325.06 “Handling Protest, Extremist, and Criminal Gang Activities Among Members of the Armed Forces,” sets rules on banned activities, ranging from advocating terrorism to supporting the overthrow of the government.
The policy does not outright prohibit participation in protests or in groups some consider extreme, but it does seek to prevent meaningful participation. The CEWG developed the latest guidelines. The SECDEF released an order for immediate action in the DOD addressing the results of the working group.
The updated policy does not provide a list of extremist organizations.
Instead, commanders must determine if a service member is actively conducting extremist activities. The new rules apply to all the military services, including the Coast Guard.