Episode 19: Combating Extremism in the Ranks, Part 1 of 3

Since the revelation that dozens of military veterans were part of the violent mob that stormed the Capitol on January 6, the problem of extremism in the Army has been the subject of concern across the country. It’s also been the source of considerable news interest. It’s also the driver of a 60-day stand-down across all services directed by the Secretary of Defense. As that stand-down period, and the associated mandatory training has just culminated, it’s time to take stock of what we’ve learned about the scope and source of this problem as well as its solution. Episode 19 of the 18th Airborne Corps Podcast begins a 3-part series focusing on the issue of radicalism within the Army. We’re releasing this series over the course of three days, Tuesday through Thursday, April 13 through 15, with a new episode published each morning. In Episode 19, this episode, part 1 of the series, host Joe Buccino talks to Soldiers who completed the mandatory extremism stand-down training. The men and women offer their thoughts on what they learned, how big they believe the problem of extremism in the ranks to be, and what they believe should be done about it. Episode 20, part 2 of 3, out April 14, will feature the Acting Secretary of the Army, the Honorable John Whitley. Mr. Whitley is the senior civilian in charge of the U.S. Army and he’ll give his thoughts on this problem. Finally, Episode 21, part 3, out April 15, will feature an Army lawyer who describes the surprisingly opaque regulations governing participation in political groups by American Soldiers, as well as Rob Payne, an FBI agent who has been investigating this problem for years. The 18th Airborne Corps Podcast is the official podcast of the US Army’s 18th Airborne Corps. Recorded on Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the program highlights news items, current events, new initiatives, and the history of the 18th Airborne Corps. If you have a question for the show’s host, please send a note to [email protected].