Militia in the military?

The media's buzzing over reports of a so-called anarchist militia among soldiers at Fort Stewart. The allegations of the militia came to light as investigators probed two murders that happened near the military instillation late last year. Prosecutors contend the murders were intended to prevent disclosure of the terror-bent cell.

According to reports by the Associated Press and other news organisations, the cell described by prosecutors as militia was plotting to overthrow the U.S. government and assassinate the president. But it was a pair of murders that led to arrests, and justice appears to be taking its course for the crimes on record.

Remains to be seen how the allegations of militia play out. Or what capabilities this group actually possessed. So far, it appears it might better be described as a gang. And, based on disclosures so far, a tiny one at that.

For years, we've had warning of various gangs and gang ideology infiltrating parts of the military:

As of April 2011, the NGIC (National Gang Intelligence Center) has identified members of at least 53 gangs whose members have served in or are affiliated with US military. Among the identified gangs with military-trained members are street gangs such as the Asian Boyz, Bloods, Crips, Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings, MS-13, Sureños, Tiny Rascal Gangsters, and the Juggalos; the Aryan Brotherhood, Barrio Azteca, and Texas Syndicate prison gangs; and OMGs including the Bandidos, Hells Angels, Mongols, Outlaws, and Vagos. Some gangs, particularly OMGs, actively recruit members with military training or advise members without criminal records to join the military for necessary weapons and combat training.
- 2011 FBI National Gang Threat Assessment

The problem of gangs in the military received some media attention in 2006 when an AWOL Marine and gang member went on a killing spree targeting cops. Surveillance video of the rampage was included in a report done at the time by the Fox station in LA.

It'll be interesting to see if the government can make the case the Fort Stewart militia (or what ever it is) presented any greater threat to homeland security than many of the other gang elements circulating in military circles, or if it had members or other alliances outside the tiny Fort Stewart core alleged today.