U.S. Military Reviews Recruitment Standards; May Allow More "Criminals"

[CGowen]

Danilo Gagelonia - AHN News Writer

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - The Pentagon is considering easing its recruitment standards, particularly for persons with minor criminal records. In 2007, the number of Army recruits requiring waivers for misconduct, including drug use, theft, fighting, and carrying weapons in school, increased to 18 percent from 15 percent in 2006.

According to Defense Department statistics, 3 in every 10 recruits must get a waiver, some requiring more than one for other things, including minor health problems to low aptitude scores.

Waiver rules vary within the different service branches. A new Pentagon review will attempt to standardize the waiver rules for the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, and Air Force.

Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel Lt. Gen. Michael Rochelle said, "The review is necessary. Many recruits who were arrested as juveniles for what can be considered youthful indiscretions - minor fights or theft - are forced to get waivers even if they were never convicted of the crime."
"I do believe it needs to be done. There are really anomalies out there," he added.

http://www.allheadlinenews.com/articles/7009077131

[robinlynne]

1. ...or we could end the war....

[gratuitous]

4. Let's not be talking crazy

End the war?! Why, that's just crazy talk, that's what that is!

[razors edge]

2. Hear that Young Republicans?

They are begging you to join the crusades, and, God wills it!

[Earth_First]

3. To be honest...

I was discharged for my moral objection to being shipped to Iraq.

Rather than apply for Conscientious Objection, (which in most cases takes months to a year) I ensured that I would fail my urinalysis during pre-deployment SRP.

To be honest with you, I am surprised that I have not been recalled despite having been discharged.

[Thothmes]

5. On your DD 214, what was your reenlistment code?