More recruits with criminal waivers

[CommunityEditor]

The Army and Marine Corps are letting in more recruits with criminal records -- with waivers for felonies up 38 percent -- reflecting the increased pressure of five years of war and recruiting goals.

Army and Defense Department officials defend the waiver program as a way to admit young people who may have made a mistake early in life but have overcome past behavior.

The details

The military does not accept anyone convicted of a violent crime such as murder, rape or armed robbery, nor does it take in anyone who has a pending criminal charge or is on probation or parole. It also does not let people enlist as part of a plea bargain to avoid prosecution.

However, the services do accept people convicted of petty larceny, vandalism, driving while intoxicated or traffic violations. The Army, Navy and Air Force require a waiver for anyone with six or more traffic violations, while the Marine Corps requires a waiver for five or more.

The Marine Corps also has the toughest policy on drug use, requiring a waiver for even one-time marijuana use. That tougher standard is why the Corps — the smallest of the services — has the highest number of waivers.

[Read the full story.]

Waivers for felony convictions, drug use and other misdemeanors... are you concerned about the quality of new soldiers?

[Mr. Robin Parsons_guest]

Lets see, in a newspaper article that (I) had, read some time back, it mentioned a study conducted, here in Kingston, comparing the number of criminal 'event reports' between Queens University and the Local Military college, the Royal Military college (RMC).

The article mentioned that the number of 'event reports' at RMC was somewhat significantly higher then at the Local University Queensu(dot)ca

Why? And why were the events at RMC usually dealt with "Off the Record" so to speak.

Well, in forming 'trust bonds' one of the Strongest and most sustained Bonds can be, and is, formed between "conspirators" as it is in that Manner that two or more people will "hold out" (resist telling) for the rest (the 'other' or the group) as 'evidence' of Bonded trust being sustained amongst the 'co-conspirators'.

It is also one of the strongest of 'trust bonds'.

That is exactly what military training endeavors to establish between soldier, Bonds of explicit, (open) an especially Implicit (silent) trust as the 'buddy' you cannot 'trust' is NOT someone you want covering your back in a War zone.

Probably the main reason why so much of what goes on at RMC - "STAYS at RMC" as usually they are not Acts-Actions of severe enough a nature as to warrant Public 'outing' nor public recriminations, that, and they are helping to establish, and strengthen, Bonds of Trust between people who will have to place their lives in the hands of those who are with them.

That stated it is NOT an endorsement of Criminal behaviors, nor is it an endorsement of Criminals Joining the Forces because they are somehow 'more trustworthy', as their criminal acts/actions were committed outside of the Military structure/society and in the civilian structure/society.

Whether or not persons with criminal past histories should be allowed to enlist is simply a question of just what kind of crime as that is more determinant of their eventual trustworthiness in all societies.

That said, the testing for marijuana, given that it is presently seen in the U.S. as the Largest Cash Crop (latimes(dot)com story) outstripping Corn and Soy production/sales amounts (Dollar values) COMBINED well, getting 'high' on a Battle field would be, and is, probably one of the most deadliest things one could do, outside of getting drunk, recalling that in Battlefield situations "Deadliest" is NO longer just about self, it very simply could cost your Trusted Partner(s) their life/lives because you were not competent to meet whatever challenge arose.

That said it is simple enough to envision that finding personnel who have not indulged/tried Marijuana becomes quite a bit more difficult, notwithstanding the reality that Drinking/alcohol is NOT seen in the same light, even though it is far more of a socially Pernicious indulgence, and more mentally/physically obfuscating/detracting then Marijuana could ever be.

It interests me that in Canada when it came up about legalizing Marijuana (as it is Known from tobacco sales that legalization is more effective a method of ensuring that minors/children DO NOT have access to it) a Senator in the Canadian Senate bravely stood up and told all of his fellow Canadians that we 'could not legalize Marijuana in Canada because the Americans wouldn't let us'...sound ominous? no...

Look at the figure in the U.S. 35 BILLION dollars a year estimated sales value. If Canada were to legitimize/Legalize it then it is a Very short step to foreseeing the return to the American Prohibition days wherein Canadian Alcohol smugglers made fortunes smuggling alcohol into the U.S. and the American Government LOST millions upon millions of dollars in TAX REVENUES.....clearly 'why' they don't want Canada to legalize it, even though it is De-Criminalized in eleven American States.
(But still Nationally {Federal Law} a Crime)

Yet for joining the Forces well, it's use is NOT conducive to Performance in situations of extreme need of both Physical skills and Mental skills as it too, not unlike alcohol, diminishes Motor skill re-action times, and impedes Intellectual reasoning abilities.

That someone may have been a 'user' well, are they still? if so, are they using in an addicted fashion (Must have NOW!) or can the outwait the cravings until it is "Shore leave" ('R & R' or 'Leave') time and then use as to simply bring themselves back into some semblance of 'peacefulness' as unlike alcohol (a stimulant then a depressive) marijuana is a sedative, hence it is/has a calming effect.

Now, should someone with such a record be permitted to join? well, that is entirely dependant upon that individuals ability to perform, reform(?), and remain reliable - trustworthy - dependable - and preferably Free of such encumbrances.

Should the U.S. military lower there standards as to permit such individuals access to join up? not really up to me to decide, but it becomes more pressing to relent to it when fewer and fewer people find reason to join up/enlist especially when the country is in a Time of War.

Just one persons opinion.

[Mr. Robin Parsons_guest]

Yesterday (I) had mentioned Queens University and The Royal Military College (RMC) in reference to a published study that (I) had read in the local newspaper some time back. (2-3 years?).

Just to be clear and fair about it, as (I) have had the pleasure of having meal(s) served to me by members of Both of those Institutions, (I) can tell you that (I) don't believe that (I) have ever encountered someone/anyone who would have been the focus of that particular study, inamsuch as all of the students from RMC that (I) have met, and somewhat interacted with, have always been of the higest caliber and standards of Personal comportment and made an Excellant Representation of there Institution (School) and their positions therein, conducting themselves in a Most Honourable & Respecful fashion, impressing upon me the obviousness of the success of the training that they recieve.

The same applies to the Queens students that (I) have met and 'experianced the presence of' in all of the spaces and places where (I) have encountered them.

Please do not let the fact that (I) have used a Published studies 'sliver of exceptional finding' influence, in any manner, or way, the reality of Both of those Institutions' present well deserved Reputations of Honourability as they Both have earned them, and the Conduct of the Student bodies therein are, in the vast majority of persons still, to the best of My knowledge, well maintained & upheld by them.

Thanks

[coloneldoom88_guest]

Well I don't have any lengthy study or article to post here.....I have my experience as a Headquarters Squadron Commander and as an AGS Squadron Section Commander in TAC during the mid 80's.

During 22 months as a Section Commander for an aircraft maintenance squadron, I prepared discharge packages for 52 airmen. I worked side by side with E-7 through E-9 maintenance supervisors and the squadron's First Sergeant. These men had the numerous offenses that these airmen had committed written up. Despite verbal counseling, written counseling, reprimands, control roster action, etc., these future dischargees either would not change their work habits or could not change. I remember one of the First Sergeant's telling me "these kids were told by a judge in their city or county they needed to join the service or they were going to end up in jail."
Many joined and are evidently still joining in order to escape a future before judges or behind bars.

I have seen this still happening in my own small West Texas town today. My son's classmates who did not want to work in the 'oilfield' but who did not have the grades or test scores to go to college 'clean up their act' in order to join the Army or Marines. One died in Al Anbar Province in the Fall of 2004 and two more are back home after being discharged early. These three had previous run-in's with authorities prior to joining the Marines and the Army. My son has two other classmates who had not gotten into trouble during high school and after. They are now Army E-4's and have both recently re-enlisted.

Allowing all of these recruits in with criminal waivers may increase the numbers in the short run, however in the long run, many will probably either wash out or be in constant trouble while they are on active duty.

My son will soon be on active duty with many of these "to the max waivered" recruits. He heads to Ft Benning in the late summer for a five year enlistment. I have already talked to him about the types of people he will be around. Yes, there will be some good, sharp recruits like him, but there will also be many who are escaping a life and behavior patterns they hope to leave behind or change.

I can already see the many infractions now......failure to report, failure to be financially reponsible, drunk on duty, insubordination to NCO's or officers, DWI, possession and use of narcotics, child abuse, spouse abuse,etc. I saw it all plus other offenses I can't think of right now.

I will follow this topic and will report what my son learns and experiences in the coming months.

[CommunityEditor]

Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Calif., recently said it's a bad idea to recruit people with prior criminal records, even as the Army and Marine Corps try to expand their ranks by tens of thousands. Should people with criminal records be allowed to serve?


Poll: Criminal Records (http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/index.php)


Take our poll, then enter the discussion.

[jasonr]

Good point about Canada and the US during prohibition, I think the military should definitely not look at anyone who has used marijuana as someone who cant serve in the military. When an 18 year old who cannot have a drink of beer is given an M16 and tought to shoot to kill I don't think them smoking weed in the past should have anything to do with them wanting to serve our country. Our presidents have admitted to smoking weed and apparently it's not going to keep them from being our president yet if you have smoked weed you are not allowed to protect them? People aren't in drug rehab for addiction to marijuana they are there for other drugs that are insanely dangerous. Simply looking at the process of how cocaine crack or heroin is made compared to what goes into rolling a joint should be reason enough to keep people from doing any hard drug.

[kojack]

Good points, however look at our entire society and the refusal to acknowledge bad behavior'. We're so PC today that we think bad and illegal gang behavior from minorities is a "celebration of cultural diversity". As far as drug use, most Americans think it s not an issue unfortunately. Just do anything you want. Obama, the hyphenated American, talks openily about using cocaine in his book(but he drew the line at "smack'..) People are in awe of a far left cocaine head. It's stunning but it a solid predictor of the decay in our nation. Our nation will become like France or GB in the very near future. Large amounts of drugs, large numbers of illegals who have no respect for our culture or laws, and a leftist congress bankrupting its working people with entitlement taxes. Assuming, that a damned terrorist isnt invited onto our soil by the liberals and a nuclear bomb goes off.

[ty5486]

I worry about the quality of applicants we are getting, and I worry that boot camp is not properly preparring them for the fleet. The stresses have been removed from boot camp on many fronts. No longer can the RDCs shout, or in any way demonstrate frustration. There is less interaction with RDCs as computers are taking over training. The upshot of this and other measures is that when recruits get to a boat, or a unit they have not been preparred for the stresses of military life, time underway, or in a war zone. No wonder the cases of PTSS are so high. When the first time you are exposed to a stressful situation is when some is actually shooting at you...what do you expect? And all that added to the fact that we are getting lower quality recruits going in...I definitely worry for our future.