I sit down with Dr. Carter F. Smith to unpack a topic that doesn’t get nearly enough attention—military-trained gang members and the real-world impact they have on our communities, law enforcement, and national security. This is Part 1 of our conversation, where we start laying the foundation and breaking down how gangs intersect with military service, why this issue is often misunderstood or underreported, and what it really means for those working in the field.

We get into some hard questions right out of the gate: Are gang members using the military as a training ground? How are they slipping through the cracks? And what happens when highly trained individuals bring those skills back into criminal organizations? This first part sets the stage with real-world insight and context you won’t hear anywhere else—and it only gets deeper from here.

Episode Highlights

[0:55] - I introduce the episode’s focus: the intersection of gangs, military service, and criminal intelligence

[3:04] - Dr. Carter F. Smith shares his background and how his research into military-trained gang members began

[5:07] - We break down the historical roots—this problem has existed since the founding of the United States

[7:54] - Defining “military-trained gang members” and how training is transferred within criminal networks

[8:31] - We uncover a major intelligence gap: why law enforcement often misses military-style tactics used by gangs

[11:46] - The “small percentage” myth—why even a tiny number of trained gang members poses a serious threat

[16:33] - How gang members get into the military and the loopholes in the recruiting and background check process

[21:06] - We discuss how gang involvement spans all ranks—from junior enlisted to senior leadership

[25:24] - Are individuals joining the military to escape gangs… or to enhance them?

[29:01] - Real-world examples of organized gang activity involving military personnel and weapon trafficking

[31:35] - The structural differences between street gangs and highly organized groups like outlaw motorcycle gangs

[34:04] - Why law enforcement often targets low-level offenders while missing larger organized networks

Links & Resources

Dr. Carter F. Smith’s book: Gangs in the Military: Gangsters, Bikers, Terrorists with Military Training
https://www.amazon.com/Gangs-Military-Gangsters-Terrorists-Training/dp/1442275162

If you found this conversation valuable, make sure to follow, rate, and review the podcast, and share it with someone who needs to hear it. Stay tuned for Part 2 as we continue breaking this topic down even further.

Join the Conversation

Have a question or topic you’d like explored on the show? Know someone whose story belongs Behind the Thin Blue Line?

Share this episode with someone interested in real-world law enforcement stories

Contact us: mbridgeman@behindthethinblueline.org

Listener Advisory

This episode includes discussions of real-world violence, criminal activity, and emotionally intense subject matter. Listener discretion is advised.