US army increases use of moral waivers to meet demand for troops

News Type: Event — Seeded on Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:55 PM EDT

Article Source: Guardian Unlimited

us-news, iraq, united-states, military-service

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

The army gave out 511 moral waivers to soldiers with felony convictions last year, relaxing its recruiting standards in order to admit them. Criminals got 249 army waivers in 2006, a sign that the high 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-marijuana 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 9 sex offenders.

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{"commentId":1717786,"authorDomain":"feorag"}

Feorag NicBhride

So it's now okay for child abusers and sex offenders to serve, but not lesbians and gay men.

{"commentId":1717786,"threadId":"253489","contentId":"1444362","authorDomain":"feorag"}

8 votes

#1 - Mon Apr 21, 2008 3:56 PM EDT

{"commentId":1717915,"authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

Dennis P. McCann

Hey, they have standards, you know.

{"commentId":1717915,"threadId":"253489","contentId":"1444362","authorDomain":"paperdragon"}

7 votes

#1.1 - Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:32 PM EDT

{"commentId":1717959,"authorDomain":"feorag"}

Feorag NicBhride

"Rule 5: no poofters!" Doesn't work as well with an American accent, though.

{"commentId":1717959,"threadId":"253489","contentId":"1444362","authorDomain":"feorag"}

5 votes

#1.2 - Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:41 PM EDT

{"commentId":1717957,"authorDomain":"spiffie"}

spiffie

seven convicted of making terrorist threats

Probably against abortion clinics, so they were the "right kind" of terrorist.

{"commentId":1717957,"threadId":"253489","contentId":"1444362","authorDomain":"spiffie"}

5 votes

#2 - Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:41 PM EDT

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Double number of ex-cons join the US army	Guardian Unlimited	Wed Apr 23	0
Army, Marines give waivers to more felons	CNN	Wed Apr 23	0
U.S. Military Waivers for Ex-Convicts Increase	The Washington Post	Wed Apr 23	3
Army, Marines Allow More Convicts to Enlist	The New York Times	Mon Apr 21	3
More convicted felons allowed to enlist in Army, Marines	Associated Press	Mon Apr 21	19

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US army increases use of moral waivers to meet demand for troops

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