12/10/2023 0 Comments Australia lockdown 2021 militarySo, what duty of care does the Australian Defence Force owe to its members - and the community at large - to better prepare veterans for threats they may encounter when transitioning to civilian life? ![]() Many of these operations originate in Russia or China. Veterans are also ideal targets for international online influence operations encouraging promotion of particular political candidates, parties or ideologies. Veterans in Anglo democracies are being targeted by both overt and covert online influence campaigns using fake military profiles to connect with and deceive defence contractors and current and former military members. Not only are these “freedom defenders” anticipating a confrontation, they are prepared to fight their former brothers and sisters-in-arms to achieve their goals. Media reports suggest discussions on the platform even include awareness that currently serving military members may well become “enemy combatants” as a result of V4F’s actions. In discussions on the group’s private Telegram account, however, it appears to be planning to escalate its activities. ![]() This group claims to be around 200-strong and is focused on “anti-vaccine” offensives, such as organising marches. The newly established UK-based Veterans 4 Freedom (V4F) group even lists service in the military as a requirement for membership. One study suggests some veterans tend to affiliate with such groups as instructors, rather than undertaking extremist acts themselves. Those with military experience and training in combat, weaponry, or explosives are clear threats if radicalised by extremist groups. These extremist groups aim to gain an already trained cohort of members who cannot only be immediately activated, but are also able to train others. ![]() Nearly one in five defendants in the prosecutions undertaken in response to the January 6 US Capitol attack had served in the military.Įscalation from participation in online forums to physically violent acts can happen quickly and sometimes without clear warning signs. There’s a risk this may lead to well-meaning veterans being enticed into participating in groups whose ideals they would normally have considered to be questionable. Such groups often promote a mission-based approach, which may attract those lacking the feeling of purpose they valued in military service. This, unfortunately, can make these veterans more vulnerable to appeals and influence by extremist groups offering the mateship and camaraderie now missing in their lives. Well-designed prevention programs may help deter recruitment by extremist groups hoping to take advantage of military skill and knowledge.
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