In revising policies for recruits, the Pentagon considered relaxing rules for potential recruits who have committed petty crimes — but didn't. Wannabe soldiers still can apply for a waiver, but they'll have to endure a lengthy probe of past conduct before the various branches of the armed forces will consider their applications.
Considering our lack of a draft, the fact that we're talking about petty stuff like traffic offenses, plus the beneficial impact of becoming a soldier, should the Pentagon have relaxed recruitment requirements?
Here's the original story:
http://www.suntimes.com/news/washington/1034860,CST-NWS-mil02.article
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I joined the Navy in '02 after having been released from probation for a felony that I plead guilty to in 2000 (the most serious of several offenses, one of which was a DV charge). There are plenty people in the military with criminal convictions, including high misdemeanors and felonies. The "lengthy probe" that you spoke of amounted to, in my case, little more than gathering documents from local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies and a sit-down with a colonel where I promised to not commit any more crimes. I went on to attend over a year of schooling and got a secret clearance so that I could do a job that very few people in the Navy do (relative to number of people in other jobs).
If you read the article closely, you'll notice that the Pentagon did not say that it was easing the standards (though the four branches may decide to do that on their own). It merely created a new method for determining the severity of the offenses. Having spent time on both coasts, I can probably say with some certainty that the Navy, the branch with the lowest standards, is not interested in lowering the standards. The Navy already has enough problems with criminals in the ranks (anybody who has ever spent time on a boat knows exactly what I'm talking about). I can't imagine the Army lowering its standards by much. I am certain that the Air Farce, the private country club of the military, is not going to lower its standards.
Unless the GWOT is expanded in the coming months and years, I don't think there will be any need for lower standards or a draft. The Navy is helping out Army and Marines by training sailors in ground combat skills and posting them in places where there isn't a need for the more skilled soldiers and Marines (e.g. detention centers and peace-keeping missions). This whole story is nothing more than an effort to keep the efforts of the military folks in the forefront of the people's minds.
I do not see the problem of speeding tickets. Most people have had one or two in thier life and are not hardened crimials. What is the reason to hold people's lifes on hold and maybe the involvement in the military is just what the person needs to over come thier enviroment. The real crime is that the military even looks at speeding tickets that did not cause death or injury.
Once they are trained, it won't make a difference. Murderers have all kinds of backgrounds.
We are not talking about speeding tickets.The military has always screened their recruits for graduating from high school and criminal records.To maintain the highest level of personnel it is absolutely necessary to enlist the best qualified.
if the military is hurting for people and keeping guys in iraq for two or three year long tours against their will then they shouldnt nit pick peoples past. if someone wants to serve and they are not hardened dangerous criminals then they should be able to serve. it might be just what they need. a little discipline and some organiziation will fix alot of problems in society. that is alot of the problem with society today. back in our grandfathers day most of the men in the U.S. were sent to WWII or korea and such. they learned respect and discipline and society was a better place for it. today most of these scumbags cant graduate high school and expect the government to support them with food stamps and un-employment for the rest of their life. instead of unemployment send them to boot camp and deploy them. they might just straighten out
if the military is hurting for people and keeping guys in iraq for two or three year long tours against their will then they shouldnt nit pick peoples past. if someone wants to serve and they are not hardened dangerous criminals then they should be able to serve. it might be just what they need. a little discipline and some organiziation will fix alot of problems in society. that is alot of the problem with society today. back in our grandfathers day most of the men in the U.S. were sent to WWII or korea and such. they learned respect and discipline and society was a better place for it. today most of these scumbags cant graduate high school and expect the government to support them with food stamps and un-employment for the rest of their life. instead of unemployment send them to boot camp and deploy them. they might just straighten out
i believe that all young men and women should serve in the military. i was in the United States Marine Corps from 1973 to 1980 and served with fellow Marines that were given a choice of the military or jail. i think that given a choice, they would probably choose the military. if they want to carry guns and fight for something the military is the best place for them.