WASHINGTON: Following Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's order to military leaders to identify and confront hate groups operating within the ranks, the Navy's top admiral says he's focused on not only rooting out extremists, but finding ways to keep them from joining in the first place. "We absolutely have to understand those within our ranks that are involved in those organized activities, as well as take further actions to stem the accession of people that belong to those kinds of groups," he told Breaking Defense in his first comments on Austin's new marching orders, which include a 60-day stand-down to discuss the issue across the services.

Breaking News: Exclusive: Navy CNO On Rooting Out Extremists WASHINGTON: The Navy's top admiral says he's focused on not only rooting out extremists, but finding ways to keep them from joining in the first place. "We absolutely have to understand those within our ranks that are involved in those organized activities, as well as take further actions to stem the accession of people that belong to those kinds of groups," he told Breaking Defense in his first comments on Defense Secretary LlAustin's new marching orders, which include a 60-day stand-down to discuss the issue across the services. Read more » Breaking Defense 611 Broadway • New York, New York • 10012 unsubscribe