Dear Criminal: Uncle Sam Wants You
Have you been convicted of armed robbery, arson or burglary and are having trouble making ends meet, let alone getting three square meals a day? Worry not, my fellow American, the United States Army and Marines want you.
In yet another consequence of the Forever War, the Army and Marine Corps recruited significantly more felons into their ranks in 2007 than in 2006.
The number of waivers issued to active-duty Army recruits with felony convictions jumped to 511 in 2007, from 249 in 2006, while Marine recruits with felony convictions rose to 350 from 208.
The numbers represent less than 1 percent of the 115,000 new enlistments last year in the active-duty Army and Marines, but coupled with sharp increases in the number of waivers for recruits with misdemeanors, the numbers are downright shocking:
From Sept. 30, 2006, to Sept. 30, 2007, the Army granted so-called conduct waivers for felonies and misdemeanors to 18 percent of its new recruits, a 3 percent increase from the previous year. So far, in just the first six months of this fiscal year, the Army has granted waivers to 13 percent of its recruits.
While it may be presumed that most criminals — petty or otherwise — serve honorably, that is not always the case as rapist-murderer Stephen Green proved. Besides which, The Dirty Dozen was a great idea for a movie. It should be kept that way.
7 Responses to “Dear Criminal: Uncle Sam Wants You”
It doesn't seem like long ago when a young man who ran afoul of the law, but sincerely wanted to be a functioning member of society could join the military to atone for his sins. I think it's an important social outlet to bring back, depending, of course, on the felony in question. I'd be more likely to let in a drug felony than a violent one.
Bellisaurius:
You make a good point. Three of the kids in my Vietnam-era Army basic training platoon were there because a judge had given them the choice of prison or enlisting. All had been charged with petty crimes.
I don't know what happened to the other two, but one guy ended up being a career officer who earned a Silver Star and Distinguished Service Medal.
I had a buddy in the navy who was a potential convict too (in the nineties, I don't think it's as common now). It's case by case, but I love the idea of being able to repay society honorably. I don;t know what the mix of felonies they're bringing in, but it still sounds like a fairly small number, as you pointed out.
I also think we've probably overqualified the service to some extent too, much in the same way as in our country generally; it takes a bachelors to do jobs that used to be high school diplomas or less before. It's painful to say that, but I kind of feel we've left a lot of people behind because we've decided that not having a piece of paper is a good way of determining who's qualified for things (to be fair, if I'm filling a job that has 50+ resumees coming in, I'd probably chuck a lot out for silly reasons too).
The fact that juvi crimes also require a waver hasn't been mentioned and that the standards requiring wavers has gone up so many more need wavers if they want to enlist. I fail to see the problem is it that there is some problem with these people? That they don't deserve to be trusted? That a juvenile crime should keep you from serving your country? If there is a problem lets find out right now all there is is a small theory that could be looked into to see if there is a problem. Of course god forbid someone should do that instead of writing knee jerk articles. How many kids do you know who have got caught with a joint? Misdemeanor offence in most jurisdictions, should they still be allowed to enlist? That requires a waver.
The question then is: what kind of crimes are getting waivers?
Since drug posession can send someone to jail, I also think that waivers are fine in many instances.
It's kind of ironic, though, that some convictions can keep a person from voting, but not from risking his/her life in service to the country.
As to determining what effect these waivers actually have, we'd need some statistics to back up opinion. Is the military keeping track? If so, would they tell anyone what their findings are?
Well in most states, including those that prohibit felons from voting which not all do (2 state allow voting from the pen), you can get voting rights back. If I'm right Mississippi is the only place were it is truly prohibitive to get them back if you truly clean up your act. In 10 states it is not automatic you must file or apply with the Governors office or Board of Pardons. So only 1 in 5 States don't let felons vote when their sentence is complete and in all states there is a method to get those rights back. Just like there is a method to still serve your country after you screw up. How strange.
“As to determining what effect these waivers actually have, we'd need some statistics to back up opinion. Is the military keeping track? If so, would they tell anyone what their findings are?”
Well per the article
“Mr. Waxman (California Democrat who is chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform) said his committee had requested additional information on the specifics of the felony waivers, the rationale for granting them and the waiver program’s track record”
I added the info in parentheses. Seems to me that it's good that they are doing so and that there is supposed to be oversight which Congress should provide. The idea that 500 solders makes even the smallest dint in the numbers they need is absurd. Before people were turned down for the smallest thing, as having an unpaid ticket, now they make more of an effort. Those bastards!!
And did Green even need a waver, well I guess he could of gotten 5 or more tickets which requires a waver. To bad no one seems to know.