Pope leaders educated about gangs Published May 3, 2007 By David L. Tijerina Staff writer POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Few people who were gang members prior to joining the military leave that lifestyle once they enter the armed services, the nation's foremost authority on the issue told commanders and Senior noncomissioned officers from Pope April 25. Hunter Glass, an Army veteran and former Fayetteville Police officer and detective of 15 years, who specialized in street gangs before becoming a national gang consultant, made his comments during a briefing titled, "Understanding Street Gangs." He presented his briefing at the request of Col. Timothy Zadalis, 43rd Airlift Wing Commander. "Our goal is to educate com.manders, chiefs, first sergeants, supervisors and especially parents about the warning signs," said Colonel Zadalis. A 2006 FBI report indicated an increase of gang activity in the military. Gang members from the Almighty Latin King and Queen Nation, Gangster Disciples, the Bloods, the Crips and other gangs have been identified among active duty personnel in the armed services. The FBI fears the weapons and tactics training those servicemembers have received will be used on city streets. Some ser vicemembers identified as gang members have held intelligence positions or been assigned to special operations units and others committed murder or tried to sell military equipment such as weapons and body armor they stole from their bases. Additionally, gang graffiti spread by U.S. military personnel has been found in Iraq. "I can name seven civilians that have been killed in the last 24 months by active duty personnel who were known gang members prior to joining the service, which means they have not changed whatsoever," Mr. Glass said. Mr. Glass told the audience once gang members are indoctrinated they become part of subcultures with their own attire, speech, lore, symbolism rituals and customs. "(The gang member) is what he believes," he said. "That's why basic training doesn't get it out of their system. That's why they still act like gang members after they join the military." And servicemembers with prior gang affiliations seek out local gang chapters after they reach their duty stations because of the comfort and companionship they offer, he said. Defining gangs Mr. Glass said he views gangs as religions -- complete with their own prayers and mantras -- comprised of male dominated societies which reward criminal, deviant and self-destructive behavior. Gangs also view women as subservient to men. "Gang members become fanatical about their beliefs," Mr. Glass said. He added gangs are a reflection of the society they reside in. Gangs in the military are a reflection of America and come from every racial, social and economic walk of life, Mr. Glass said. Who's at risk? "Any youth or young adult regardless of race, sex or financial status can be influenced to join a gang; recruitment age is from 12-25," Mr. Glass said. "That's why we have Airmen that get involved." Servicemembers aren't the only ones at risk, so are their dependents. Christine Walters, a former leader of a local Crips gang, told Mr. Glass that she looked for recruits from military families because they usually had two incomes and the children would be home alone. Ms. Walters was "jumped in" or physically beaten during her initiation into the Crips gang while her stepfather was stationed at Aviano Air Base, Italy. "She was jumped in by both dependents and some active duty personnel," Mr. Glass said. Later, she was convicted for the 1998 shooting deaths of two women and the attempted murder of a Bojangles manager during a gang initiation. At the age of 20, she was one of the youngest females to ever sit on death row. "The question you need to ask yourself is who's your child hanging out with? What do you know about their parents? "Who's your Airman hanging out with?" Mr. Glass said. "Children learn to make decisions and begin to join groups between the ages of 9 and 12 and need to be protected during that period," he said. When and where? Recruiting occurs any time there's a lack of responsible supervision such as in barracks, or where peer pressure is likely to occur. Military members and dependents are in danger of being recruited into gangs, Mr. Glass said. He added that any time youths' lack of confidence can be exploited they're in danger of being recruited into gangs. Gang recruitment can also occur anywhere there's a large gathering of youths such as at malls, dance clubs, school grounds, fairs, roller rinks, parks, dorms and abandoned homes. "Some of these guys don't have any real experience in the world," he said about young servicemembers. "And so they see a guy who's been around a little bit ... and they just jump in." Small cities and towns aren't immune from gang activity and offshoots of larger city gangs have been found in places with small populations. "There's no such thing as wannabes," Mr. Glass said. If neighborhood gangs have the lore, guns and act like gang members, then there's no difference between them and other gangs, he said. Why people join "People want to be a part of something, they really do," he said. "Once people join something they feel connected to it." "Gangs provide a replacement for the natural family," he added. Some youth have no choice but to join gangs because if they fail to, they or their loved ones may be in danger from the gang intimidating them or from rival groups. How gang members enter the military Gang members either lie on the forms they fill out to join the military, are allowed in by recruiters who suppress knowledge of their gang affiliation, or their juvenile records are sealed and their prior gang affiliation doesn't appear during records checks. One servicemember who joined a gang prior to joining the military, and was turned in by his roommate, told base authorities he was awaiting trial for the attempted stabbing of a police officer when a recruiter approached him at a court house. Music, games and clothing During a recent visit to the mall, Mr. Glass said he came across a pair of pants which had gun patches on each pant-leg. "Who needs to wear that kind of clothing?" he said. While some people may not think dress codes are good, Mr. Glass said they have value. A video he showed during the briefing depicted how people allowed to wear their shirts untucked and baggy pants could hide several weapons. Mr. Glass also recommended Airmen and youths not listen to gangster rap, which he said glorifies the gangster lifestyle and that parents not allow their children to play video games that glorify criminal acts. Mr. Glass stressed parents and military leaders should instill in their children and subordinates, that purchasing gangster lifestyle music and merchandise helps fund a destructive lifestyle. Asked for his impresssion of of the briefing, Chief Master Sgt. Herb Hanson, 43rd Airlift Wing Command Chief said, "It's a great awareness briefing. The information he gave can help us in our understanding of any gang activity in the area and in the schools." Gang activity at Pope "We don't nearly have the gang problem that Fort Bragg has," said Capt. James Serra, 43rd Security Forces Squadron operations officer. "Fort Bragg has its own gang task force." An incident of tagging or gang related graffiti did occur at the Pope Youth Center. And an incident of assault against a dependent was suspected of being a gang jump in, but security forces was unable to prove it was gang related, Captain Serra said. Security Forces deals with juvenile cases of gang activity, and the office of special investigations deals with active duty incidents of gang activity. Pope's smaller population is one reason more gang activity hasn't occurred, he said. "We have not had any cases in the last two years where gang affiliation was a factor," said Special Agent Dan Sevigny, Air Force Office of Special Investigations Det. 324. He added his detachment coordinates with Mr. Glass and local law enforcement agencies to maintain awareness of gang activity. "It's out there, and we know its out there, and we're going to be looking for (gang members). That's the message we want to get across. "We want to identify the issues early, before they become a problem, because its not compatible with service."