Double number of ex-cons join the US army

[nhboy]

"The US army doubled its use of "moral waivers" for enlisted soldiers last year to cope with the demands of the Iraq war, allowing sex offenders, people convicted of making terrorist threats, and child abusers into the military, new records released yesterday showed.

The army gave out 511 moral waivers to soldiers with felony convictions last year. Criminals got 249 army waivers in 2006, a sign that the demand for US forces in Iraq has forced a sharp increase in the number of criminals allowed on the battlefield.

The felons accepted into the army and marines included 87 soldiers convicted of assault or maiming, 130 convicted of non-cannabis-related drug offences, seven convicted of making terrorist threats, and two convicted of indecent behaviour with a child. Waivers were also granted to 500 burglars and thieves, 19 arsonists and nine sex offenders."

Double number of ex-cons join the US army | World news | The Guardian

 

[itsbob]

.. and your point is??

There are parts of the country where a recruiter can't find anyone to put in the Army without doing a moral waiver.

And what are the ages of the concerned when the comitted the crime compared to how old they are now?

Should a person convicted of a drug crime or sexual harassment at the age of 8 be permanently disqualified from serving his/ her country?

What if they are 35 years old today and the ONLY coviction they have on their record is from when they were 19? Should they be disqualified too?

 

[vegmom]

..and oddly enough, they won't let my younger brother back in. Guess the Army's not that desparate yet.

 

[itsbob]

..and oddly enough, they won't let my younger brother back in. Guess the Army's not that desparate yet.

Why not? And you mention back in.. do you want to share details?

 

[vegmom]

Why not? And you mention back in.. do you want to share details?

Got booted out of the reserves for smoking pot a couple years ago.

He was working with a recruiter earlier this year about going into the regular Army and had gone so far as to have a physical before he was told "no".

 

[itsbob]

Got booted out of the reserves for smoking pot a couple years ago.

He was working with a recruiter earlier this year about going into the regular Army and had gone so far as to have a physical before he was told "no".

I'm surprised the recruiter spent the time to do it.

 

[Lenny]

There's a message here...

Got booted out of the reserves for smoking pot a couple years ago.

He was working with a recruiter earlier this year about going into the regular Army and had gone so far as to have a physical before he was told "no".

Major difference between having toked a little in high school and toking in the barracks. I'm surprised the recruiter even gave him a second visit...must be really slim pickings in that region.

 

[vegmom]

I was surprised too, especially as far along as he got in the process. I wish they had just given him a flat out "no" up front. I guess he needed to learn that breaking the rules will cost you.

 

[itsbob]

I was surprised too, especially as far along as he got in the process. I wish they had just given him a flat out "no" up front. I guess he needed to learn that breaking the rules will cost you.

of course one of the reasons they may have STOPPED at the physical, is he burned the piss test during the physical..

 

[vegmom]

of course one of the reasons they may have STOPPED at the physical, is he burned the piss test during the physical..

Nope, he passed that amazingly

 

[Larry Gude]

Starting...

"The US army doubled its use of "moral waivers" for enlisted soldiers last year to cope with the demands of the Iraq war, allowing sex offenders, people convicted of making terrorist threats, and child abusers into the military, new records released yesterday showed.

The army gave out 511 moral waivers to soldiers with felony convictions last year. Criminals got 249 army waivers in 2006, a sign that the demand for US forces in Iraq has forced a sharp increase in the number of criminals allowed on the battlefield.

The felons accepted into the army and marines included 87 soldiers convicted of assault or maiming, 130 convicted of non-cannabis-related drug offences, seven convicted of making terrorist threats, and two convicted of indecent behaviour with a child. Waivers were also granted to 500 burglars and thieves, 19 arsonists and nine sex offenders."

Double number of ex-cons join the US army | World news | The Guardian

...to get like congress.

 

[mAlice]

Got booted out of the reserves for smoking pot a couple years ago.

He was working with a recruiter earlier this year about going into the regular Army and had gone so far as to have a physical before he was told "no".

I suspect the reason he can't get back in is because he was "booted" (dishonorable discharge) from the reserves for smoking pot. Zero tolerance, he has already broken the agreement. The criminals they're letting in now haven't yet broken any agreements between them and uncle sam.

As far as criminals serving our country, I have no problem with it. Hopefully this will be the opportunity for them to get their act together. I also think that criminals will have a bit of an edge, in comparison to some of the sissie's that are being enlisted in this age of PC.

Those who do should consider this...it could be one of your loved one's being drafted, like they did during 'Nam.

 

[Larry Gude]

My...

I
As far as criminals serving our country, I have no problem with it. Hopefully this will be the opportunity for them to get their act together. I also think that criminals will have a bit of an edge, in comparison to some of the sissie's that are being enlisted in this age of PC.

.

...only concern is whether or not the DI's and TI's will be actually allowed to train them, or anyone for that matter.

I'm all for this, given that they take the PC gloves off the instructors.

 

[itsbob]

...only concern is whether or not the DI's and TI's will be actually allowed to train them, or anyone for that matter.

I'm all for this, given that they take the PC gloves off the instructors.

Not since the 80's when the officers got involved in the actual training aspect., and running the actual training companies and battalions.

Now the first speech they get is from an officer that supplies them with phone numbers to the IG, the Battalion Commander, and then supplies them with a list of that a drill sergeant can and can't do. And when it comes between a trainee and a drill sergeant, guess who's side they are going to take, and who's going to get the shaft?

Oh, and let's not forget the stress cards.. "Drill Sergeant, you have to stop yelling at me, my stress card is BLACK!!"