{"id":58153,"date":"2021-10-25T20:56:05","date_gmt":"2021-10-25T20:56:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/10\/25\/a-pentagon-definition-for-extremism-is-imminent\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T10:04:12","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T10:04:12","slug":"a-pentagon-definition-for-extremism-is-imminent","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/pentagon-congress\/2021\/10\/25\/a-pentagon-definition-for-extremism-is-imminent\/","title":{"rendered":"A Pentagon definition for extremism is imminent"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A progress report<\/a> from the Defense Department\u2019s Countering Extremism Working Group<\/a> is about three months late, but it\u2019s nearly done, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby told Military Times on Monday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The report, originally due in July, is supposed to include a list of mid- and long-term efforts for the working group, as well as an update on their first three tasks, as laid out by Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin back in April.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe report is nearing completion,\u201d Kirby said, though there is no date nailed down for briefing the secretary and then announcing the results publicly, adding, \u201cAnd it will, as we\u2019ve talked about, it will include a new definition set of what extremist activity comprises.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previously, the DoD definition of extremist activity focused on planning, fundraising or other \u201cactive\u201d participation in extremism groups, though membership was not banned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new definition is expected to more specifically identify extremist behaviors, outside of a group setting, as several recent examples of extremist service members have been unaffiliated with an organization<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Though the report is running behind, Kirby said that the working group has continued ahead with its tasks in the meantime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThey have set up processes, interdepartmental processes, to continue to work on this, Kirby said. \u201cAnd one of the things that they already said they were going to try to do was another study on extremism, so the work continues.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t