Another downside to the Iraq venture

Gangs claim their turf in Iraq :
"'I have identified 320 soldiers as gang members from April 2002 to present,' said Scott Barfield, a Defense Department gang detective at Fort Lewis in Washington state. 'I think that's the tip of the iceberg.'"

It seems America's criminal gangs - Aryan Nation, Black Gangster Disciples, Latin Kings, etc. - have turned up in significant numbers in our all volunteer force and that means they are in Iraq as well.

Army higher-ups seem to have little concern about the phenomenon so long as gang members do not bring their turf wars on post. Civilian observers worry that a tactical truce while serving may give way to more sophisticated and bloody urban warfare when they return to civilian life.

The article quotes at least one source saying that Army recruiters are being encouraged to get criminal history waivers for gangbangers offering to enlist - anything to meet the quota. Another source says gangs are ordering members to enlist to learn valuable urban warfare skills they can teach to other members when they return.

Now, let me connect the dots a bit.

American police agencies, especially in major cities, have been learning urban warfare skills in joint training with the armed forces. Now, police have to worry that the gangbangers' drug dealing and other organized criminal activities - which were driving interest in this sort of training long before 9/11 - will be carried on in future by the same people who once trained, or trained with, their officers.