Lower Providence Aikido

This is a terrible idea, that a gang member could learn martial arts by joining the military. The unfortunate fact, however, is that gang enrollment is up, drastically, and these gangs are actually using the military for training in martial arts, weapons, and all manner of combat skills. This is absolutely frightening, when you think about it, a gang member being trained as an actual soldier and then being turned loose on the streets of America.

That the number of gangsters joining the military is up is without a doubt. According to the FBI there has been a whopping 40% increase in gang membership since 2009. These are people raised in the gang culture, don't have jobs, and the military has become a viable option for earning a living.

To be truthful, many gang members join the military with the desire to get out of the gang life. Once in the military, however, they find a culture of gangsters in the armed services. These gangsters go about enlisting new gang members, and picking up any 'strays' that are attempting to leave the gang life.

The FBI further says that they have evidence that over fifty different gangs, representing all the major gangs, have presence in the armed forces. These gangsters come from 100 different areas of the country. This is a rather large segment of the population.

The report details that only are gang members joining the military, but other equally undesirable elements are finding a home there. Also enlisting in the military are members of Outlaw Motorcycle gangs. There have even been reports of members of prison gangs joining up.

It goes without saying that this criminal element is posing a serious threat to homeland harmony. These potential felons have access to military hardware, such as machine guns, and even grenades and other explosive devices. All too often these criminal personalities join the army reserve, then go home and share the training they have received.

One rather sobering potential behind this rise in gang enlistment is the ability to use military resources to actually enhance criminal activity. Apparently gang members have been able to access military computers to 'scope out' potential areas to expand their activities. Gang members have been able to use the military database and communication systems to actually deal in drugs.

To summarize, it is hard to know what to do about this situation. The military needs intelligent men, and a clever gang member fits the need. At any rate, that bad people could learn martial arts, and actually use other facets of military training is something the federal government may have to meet.