Army recruits requiring waivers for misconduct more than doubled since 2004

[babylonsister]

More Army recruits require waivers
Percentage with conduct history doubles since '04

By Jim Michaels
USA TODAY


WASHINGTON — The percentage of recruits requiring a waiver to join the Army because of a criminal record or other past misconduct has more than doubled since 2004 to one for every eight new soldiers.

The increase reflects the difficulties the Army faces in attracting young men and women into the military at a time of war. "Each month is a struggle, for the Army in particular," said Bill Carr, a top military personnel official.

The percentage of active and Reserve Army recruits granted "conduct" waivers for misdemeanor or felony charges increased to 11% last fiscal year from 4.6% in fiscal 2004, according to Army Recruiting Command statistics. So far this fiscal year, which began last October, 13% of recruits have entered the Army with conduct waivers.

Most waivers involve misdemeanors. The Army has granted 4,676 conduct waivers among the 36,047 recruited from October through late February. The waivers have helped the Army meet its active and Reserve recruitment goals of about 100,000 people a year for the past several years.

A recruit needs a waiver if he or she has one felony or serious misdemeanor or more than three minor misdemeanors. For example, a single charge of possessing marijuana or driving under the influence requires a waiver. Minor infractions include disorderly conduct, trespassing or vandalism.

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http://www.usatoday.com/printedition/news/20080407/1a_bottomstrip07.art.htm

[NNN0LHI]

1. Imagine being an Afghan or Iraqi and having armed convicted criminals come to keep the peace

Not a pretty picture.

Don

[babylonsister]

2. So much for Army standards; yes, the military does seem to be broken. nt

[Disorientedx3]

3. "convicted criminals"?

more like young persons convicted of a one time lapse.. but then again, I'd bet a large number of DU'ers have a misdemeanor or two as well. And most of us could be trusted with the job. Its not like the army is waiving murders and drug dealers into the ranks. The real criminals are the "deciders" at the top. One particular decider comes to mind.....

[EFerrari]

4. They can die in Iraq but they can't vote in Florida. n/t

[babylonsister]

5. Now there's a good point. nt