A recent study by the RAND Corporation has found that negative experiences during military service are a significant factor in driving extremist beliefs among veterans. The study, which surveyed 21 veterans, identified one or more negative experiences in the military as the most consistent attribute for those expressing extremist views on the right or left wing. The study also highlighted various extremist movements supported by the sample group, including QAnon, the Proud Boys, and Antifa.
According to the study, many veterans reported experiencing negative and traumatic events during their time in the military and while transitioning to civilian life. While the sample size was small, the study emphasized the need for further research to explore the correlation between military service and radicalization.
Another study conducted by the University of Maryland found that veterans who plotted or carried out mass casualty extremist attacks were more likely to have served in the military. While the study noted that service members and veterans are not inherently more likely to radicalize, it highlighted the impact they have when they do engage in extremist activities.
Previous reports from the Department of Justice have also identified prior military service as a risk factor for violent extremism, along with other factors such as social isolation and being male.
The findings of the RAND study have prompted calls from Pentagon leadership and members of Congress to address extremism within the military. Efforts to combat extremism have been intensified following the events of January 6, with initiatives aimed at rooting out extremist behavior and providing training to address the threat.
While both liberal and conservative lawmakers have expressed concerns about extremism within the military, the RAND report emphasizes that veterans with negative military experiences are at a higher risk for radicalization. This suggests that extremism may stem from military service itself rather than external influences infiltrating the ranks.
The study also highlights the challenges faced by the military in recruiting qualified individuals, as negative experiences during service contribute to a recruiting crisis. As the Defense Department faces pressure to implement de-radicalization programs, the focus on addressing the hardships faced by soldiers during and after their service is seen as a crucial step forward.
Overall, the findings of the RAND report underscore the need for programs that support soldiers in coping with the challenges of military service and transitioning to civilian life, in order to prevent radicalization and promote a healthy military culture.
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