Extremism among military, veterans subject of MTSU panel discussion [+VIDEO]

Experts analyzed disturbing information revealed following the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol during a recent special virtual panel discussion sponsored by MTSU.

Dr. Carter Smith

Carter Smith, senior lecturer in the Department of Criminal Justice Administration, led “A Historic Perspective on Domestic Extremists in the U.S. Military” Friday, Feb. 12, at https://mtsu.zoom.us/j/82507909655.

Joining Smith were:

• George Reed, dean of the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs and the former director of command and leadership studies at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

• Jonathan Dean, a former Fort Bragg, North Carolina, military police investigator who has taught classes at the Army post on gangs and extremist groups.

• Hunter Glass, a private investigator, consultant and military-trained expert on security threat groups in the military and their threat to national security.

The complete hourlong discussion is available to watch above and at the university’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/ymP3ZSkGboo.

George Reed, dean of the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and former director of Command and Leadership Studies at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania (photo submitted)

Dr. George Reed

Hunter Glass

Jonathan Dean

“As a foundation for the discussion, they will analyze the investigation of extremism in the military historically, focusing on the issues that have developed in the last few decades,” Smith said. “They will examine the way extremists enter the military and the threat they pose to the civilian community after they depart the military ranks.”

According to a Jan. 21 report by National Public Radio, nearly 20% of defendants in cases stemming from the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol are either active-duty military personnel or retired from the military.

By comparison, the U.S. Census Bureau states that only about 7% of American adults are veterans of the armed forces.

This is the second in a series of web panels discussing fallout from the events of Jan. 6 at the U.S. Capitol. Dr. Mary Evins, research professor of history and coordinator of the American Democracy Project‘s MTSU chapter, moderated a Feb. 8 virtual panel titled “The Trump Impeachment: Round 2.”

For more information, contact Cathy Sgambati, public relations specialist, at 615-202-0991 or cathy.sgambati@mtsu.edu.

— Gina K. Logue (gina.logue@mtsu.edu)