Study: Recruits on waivers get promoted faster

[unhappycamper]

Study: Recruits on waivers get promoted faster
By Lolita C. Baldor - The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Apr 30, 2008 6:08:08 EDT

WASHINGTON — Soldiers who need special waivers to get into the Army because of bad behavior go AWOL more often and face more courts-martial. But they also get promoted faster and re-enlist at a higher rate, according to an internal military study obtained by The Associated Press.

The Army study late last year concluded that taking a chance on a well-screened applicant with a criminal, bad driving or drug record usually pays off. And both the Army and the Marines have been bringing in more recruits with blemished records. Still, senior leaders have called for additional studies, to help determine the impact of the waivers on the Army.

“We believe that so far the return outweighs the risk,” said Army Col. Kent M. Miller, who headed the team that conducted the study.

The information has not been released to the public, but the AP obtained a copy of the study.

The statistics show that recruits with criminal records or other drug and alcohol issues have more discipline problems than those without records. Those recruits also are a bit more likely to drop out of the Army because of alcohol.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/ap_militarywaivers_042908/