White supremacy extremist groups increasing recruitment efforts Published May 19, 2009 By Special Agent John Palmer Air Force Office of Special Investigation PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- Open source intelligence sources indicate unidentified white supremacy extremist groups have stepped-up recruitment efforts within law enforcement and military communities to increase intelligence, access background checks and take advantage of the prestige associated with military and law enforcement personnel. Recruitment of law enforcement and military personnel into these groups can significantly increase their intelligence gathering, logistical, and tactical capabilities for later use during a perceived "imminent race war." What does this mean to military personnel? "Commanders have inherent authority to ensure the mission is performed and to maintain good order and discipline," said Capt. Brant Whipple, chief of ethics, environmental and labor law for the 21st Space Wing Legal Office. "Military members who violate this prohibition are subject to disciplinary action under Article 92 of the UCMJ, in addition to other potentially appropriate articles." In the interest of maintaining good order and discipline, Air Force instruction 51-903 and Department of Defense Directive 1325.6 impose restrictions on involvement with hate groups. In particular, "military personnel must reject participation in organizations that espouse supremacist causes; attempt to create illegal discrimination based on race, creed, color, sex, religion, or national origin; advocate the use of force or violence; or otherwise deprive individuals of their civil rights." This instruction also states "Active participation, such as publicly demonstrating or rallying, fund raising, recruiting and training members, organizing or leading such organizations, or otherwise engaging in activities in relation to such organizations or in furtherance of the objectives of such organizations that are viewed by command to be detrimental to the good order, discipline or mission accomplishment of the unit, is incompatible with military service, and is, therefore, prohibited." "There is no room in today's Air Force or society hate groups," said Col. Jay Raymond, 21st Space Wing commander. "Our military equal opportunity office and local OSI team have done a terrific job of educating our folks, but there are those rare individuals who refuse to abstain from participation in these groups. I have no doubt these people will be caught and effectively dealt with according to the UCMJ."