The Pentagon Press Briefing Room seal as seen March 27, 2020, Washington, D.C. (DoDo photo by Lisa Ferdinando)

By Gary  Raynaldo   DIPLOMATIC  TIMES

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has ordered a  DOD-wide “stand down” to discuss the problem of extremism in the ranks, Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said today.  The January 6 insurrection at the nation’s Capital ripped open raw the  disturbing fact that extremist elements are within the ranks the U.S. military.  Austin and Army Gen. Mark A, Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, met with service civilian leaders and service chiefs to discuss the problem of extremism.  Kirby acknowledged that some of the extremists who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6 were active duty service members and others were military veterans. At least 25 people either formerly or currently associated with the military were charged in connection with the riot.  The stand down will occur over the next 60 days.

12 Army National Guard Members Removed from Inauguration Duty 

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III speaks with National Guardsmen during a visit to the Capitol building in Washington, D.C., Jan. 29, 2021. (credit:  DOD)

Twelve Army National Guardsmen were removed  from  last month’s Presidential Inauguration after extra screening for potential extremists in the ranks. Two were taken off for possible links to extremists groups.  The Pentagon’s spokesperson pointed out that  “the vast majority of men and women who serve in uniform and the military are doing so with honor, integrity and character, and do not espouse the sorts of beliefs that lead to the kind of conduct that can be so detrimental to good order and discipline and in fact is criminal.”