One would have to know a soldier or associate on the streets. They would then become associates after being recruited, then initiated in a ceremony. They would usually have to prove themselves by making a hit or scoring some serious money or drugs. They would pay up tribute to whoever was the current boss. People with skills like forgery, computer hacking, stocks, cat burglary can get in so long as they pay tribute and can earn for the family. Organized crime makes money from many different sources so you could get in if you can make money in gambling, prostitution, drugs, arms deals, identity theft, murder for hire, labor unions, controlling garbage territories, grand larceny, embezzlement, extortion. They are involved in many legitimate businesses as well to launder their money. If you are strong, can fight well, and are a marksman with a weapon that would help you join a gang as well. Most gangs are race dependent. You could never be a "made" man in "La Cosa Nostra" if your blood is not 100% Italian or Sicilian. But these days, any race can work for any gang so long as they earn. Most recruits are murdered young and never work their way up the ladder or they wind up in prison. Most mafia bosses wind up in prison or are murdered as well. A lot of people are recruited in prison, some people build up trust by committing serious crimes for the organization. Today the Mafia is rife, but keeping a lower profile by avoiding the use of guns & so being allowed to thrive without as much interferance.
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