Role of a Soldier Today

[gohnjotti]

In recent years, it seems the recruiting pool for the mob is further diminished due to the fact that even longtime criminals and mob associates no longer have a desire to be made. It begs the question... What's the point anymore?
I was reading up on Joseph Petillo, a longtime Colombo associate, who rejected an offer to be made in the late 2000s. There isn't any information as to why, exactly, he chose not to be made, but it clearly didn't hurt him in any way. He did business directly with two capos, Big Anthony Russo & Reynold Maragni, and could (and would) call on them for help in collecting loanshark debts, among other things. He also talked directly with Vinny Badalamenti in prison, and got Vinny TV's support in collecting a $100,000 debt from a guy in Florida. So it's clear the chain-of-command in the mob, where it goes associate-soldier-capo-boss is all but dead, especially when there's no buffer zone between associate and capo.
This isn't even the worst of it. In the 1990s, Colombo associate Francis Guerra was a high-ranking associate. In the 1980s, he was the right-hand-man of then-solder Teddy Persico Jr., and then, after helping out in murdering Orena faction underboss Joe Scopo, he ended up being direct with the family's acting boss, Little Allie Boy. He was practically Allie's right-hand-man, and arranged meetings and sitdowns for the boss. Just before the books were opened for the Colombos, Guerra did a seven year stretch for drug dealing, but when he came out and was proposed to be made, he said to the wired-up Tommy McLaughlin: "I don't know. Sometimes I scratch my head and say, 'I wonder if it's even fucking worth it.' But what I am gonna do?" This is what FBI agent Scott Curtis said about Guerra's situation:
“Everybody knows his reputation and all the criminal activities he’s done in the past. He doesn’t need a title to carry that reputation around,” Curtis said.
“It depends who they were and their reputation.’’

So it begs the question that what does the title of 'soldier' get you anymore? Is it simply a stepping stone if a wiseguy wants to get to the rank of capo or higher?
Thanks in advance.

[eboli]

"If I knew what I know today, they would've never had gotten me into any organization cause all I did was make money for everybody else. I was a good hustler. I widn't know what I was getting into... it's something, that after thinking about it all these years I'm sorry I ever belonged to. If I wasn't involved I'd have been a millionaire today."

As Fratianno describes it was always a ponzi scheme. Heightened risk and diminishing returns for decades now. Even if you're ambitious enough to rise through the ranks to become a millionaire you have to be prepared to spend a lof time in prison. If you're good making money on your own why put a target on your back?

[slimshady_007]

It rlly all depends on the family. The colombos are a mess so it explains thier lack of structure. U would never see frank cali meetin with a family associate or even a capo. Thats why he assigned a ruling panel. Also, theres always gunna be a group of guys dyin to be made. That’ll never change. A big difference between a made guy and an associate is usually that a made man has protection. Look at what happened with nick cirillo. He got into a fight with an acting capo in the bonannos and got clipped cuz of it even tho his dad was a leading figure in the genoveses. Made guys still get protected, which is a huge motivation for some guys to get made.

[Pogo The Clown]

U would never see frank cali meetin with a family associate or even a capo. Thats why he assigned a ruling panel.

Yes you would. All these guy's do.


Pogo

[slimshady_007]

U would never see frank cali meetin with a family associate or even a capo. Thats why he assigned a ruling panel.

Yes you would. All these guy's do.


Pogo

Give me a pic of frank havin a meeting with an associate within the past 5 years

[Pogo The Clown]

How the hell am I going to have pictures of who Cali is or isn't meeting? I'm just stating facts. All adminitration members deal with Capos and associates. That is how they operate. You can look at every indictment and informant testimony in all 5 families going back to forever.


Seems that over the last few years Cali, Cefalu and the Gambinos in general have been greatly inflated on the forums to where people have an unrealistic view of their power and the way they operate.


Pogo

[Fughedaboutit]

U would never see frank cali meetin with a family associate or even a capo. Thats why he assigned a ruling panel.

Yes you would. All these guy's do.


Pogo

Give me a pic of frank havin a meeting with an associate within the past 5 years

Give you a pic? LMAO

[Wiseguy]

In recent years, it seems the recruiting pool for the mob is further diminished due to the fact that even longtime criminals and mob associates no longer have a desire to be made. It begs the question... What's the point anymore?
I was reading up on Joseph Petillo, a longtime Colombo associate, who rejected an offer to be made in the late 2000s. There isn't any information as to why, exactly, he chose not to be made, but it clearly didn't hurt him in any way. He did business directly with two capos, Big Anthony Russo & Reynold Maragni, and could (and would) call on them for help in collecting loanshark debts, among other things. He also talked directly with Vinny Badalamenti in prison, and got Vinny TV's support in collecting a $100,000 debt from a guy in Florida. So it's clear the chain-of-command in the mob, where it goes associate-soldier-capo-boss is all but dead, especially when there's no buffer zone between associate and capo.
This isn't even the worst of it. In the 1990s, Colombo associate Francis Guerra was a high-ranking associate. In the 1980s, he was the right-hand-man of then-solder Teddy Persico Jr., and then, after helping out in murdering Orena faction underboss Joe Scopo, he ended up being direct with the family's acting boss, Little Allie Boy. He was practically Allie's right-hand-man, and arranged meetings and sitdowns for the boss. Just before the books were opened for the Colombos, Guerra did a seven year stretch for drug dealing, but when he came out and was proposed to be made, he said to the wired-up Tommy McLaughlin: "I don't know. Sometimes I scratch my head and say, 'I wonder if it's even fucking worth it.' But what I am gonna do?" This is what FBI agent Scott Curtis said about Guerra's situation:
“Everybody knows his reputation and all the criminal activities he’s done in the past. He doesn’t need a title to carry that reputation around,” Curtis said.
“It depends who they were and their reputation.’’

So it begs the question that what does the title of 'soldier' get you anymore? Is it simply a stepping stone if a wiseguy wants to get to the rank of capo or higher?
Thanks in advance.

I think the number of guys who have turned down being made are still very small compared to the ones that want their button. Much like the members who flip are still few compared to those that don't.

Seems that over the last few years Cali, Cefalu and the Gambinos in general have been greatly inflated on the forums to where people have an unrealistic view of their power and the way they operate.


Pogo

Hey, somebody has to fill Nicky Corozzo's shoes.

[Lupara]

What you're doing here is using two possibly rare examples of guys refusing the button and making it seem as if it is the norm. I can see how there's no benefit to being officially inducted when you're already wealthy and close to top members. There are no obligations and it's easier to walk away as an associate. Once you're in there's no turning back.

[Cheech]

if you're a young kid getting it on the side, wanting your button would be retarded.
you need 10-20 guys to take action with. you get an online platform from costa rica. make a few g's a week. some kid cant pay, let it go. better to just turn him off.
some guys at work need money until pay day you lend it at 5%. no drugs, no card games.
if you need any partners/runners only use childhood friends.

some guy asks if you want to get made and you run like a deer.

[SonnyBlackstein]

The mafia is like any other organisation where people naturally wish to advance and climb the hierarchy. its seen as recognition of achievement and reward for service as well as respect among peers. Those that decline membership are still in the vast minority.

[Cheech]

The mafia is like any other organisation where people naturally wish to advance and climb the hierarchy. its seen as recognition of achievement and reward for service as well as respect among peers. Those that decline membership are still in the vast minority.

what are you basing this on, my friend?

[Cheech]

U would never see frank cali meetin with a family associate or even a capo. Thats why he assigned a ruling panel.

Yes you would. All these guy's do.


Pogo

Pogo is 10000% correct.

[Cheech]

U would never see frank cali meetin with a family associate or even a capo. Thats why he assigned a ruling panel.

Yes you would. All these guy's do.


Pogo

Give me a pic of frank havin a meeting with an associate within the past 5 years

I just saw this.

best post of 2018?

[slimshady_007]

U would never see frank cali meetin with a family associate or even a capo. Thats why he assigned a ruling panel.

Yes you would. All these guy's do.


Pogo

Give me a pic of frank havin a meeting with an associate within the past 5 years

I just saw this.

best post of 2018?

Im serious about what i said. Doubt frank would meet with a family associate so prove me wrong. But u cant.