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New defense bill prohibits gang membership

Membership in a criminal street gang must be included on the list of prohibited activities for service members, according to a provision in the 2008 defense authorization bill.

The provision directs the defense secretary to revise one of the department’s directives to disallow gang membership.

Directive 1325.6 already bans service members from participating in groups that promote supremacist causes, attempt to create illegal discrimination, advocate the use of force or violence, or engage in efforts to deprive others of their civil rights.

Commanders have the authority to apply the full range of administrative procedures, including separation or disciplinary action, against service members who actively participate in such groups.

In recent years, analysts have said there is a growing gang problem in the military. A Jan. 12 FBI report said gang-related activity in the military is increasing and poses a threat to law enforcement officials and national security.

Currently, gang affiliation alone doesn’t prevent a person from serving in the Army, officials have said. But if an applicant also has a criminal record, that will be considered before he is allowed into the Army.

Army officials have said they recognize and are concerned about gangs infiltrating the ranks. But they added that the problem is not a major threat and that leaders and criminal investigators are trained to monitor and identify possible gang activity.