{"id":17927,"date":"2021-12-20T18:16:33","date_gmt":"2021-12-20T18:16:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/12\/20\/pentagon-issues-rules-aimed-at-stopping-rise-of-extremism\/"},"modified":"2026-08-18T20:49:47","modified_gmt":"2026-08-18T20:49:47","slug":"pentagon-issues-rules-aimed-at-stopping-rise-of-extremism","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2021\/12\/20\/pentagon-issues-rules-aimed-at-stopping-rise-of-extremism\/","title":{"rendered":"Pentagon issues rules aimed at stopping rise of extremism"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Warning that extremism in the ranks is increasing, Pentagon officials are issuing detailed new rules prohibiting service members from actively engaging in extremist activities. The new guidelines come nearly a year after some current and former service members participated in the riot at the U.S. Capitol<\/a>, triggering a broad department review<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Senior defense officials tell The Associated Press that fewer than 100 military members are known to have been involved in substantiated cases of extremist activity in the past year, but they warn that the number may grow given recent spikes in domestic violent extremism, particularly among veterans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Officials said the new policy doesn\u2019t largely change what is prohibited, but is more of an effort to make sure troops are clear on what they can and can\u2019t do, while still protecting their First Amendment free speech rights. And for the first time, it is far more specific about social media.<\/p>\n\n\n\t