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US military recruits more ex-cons | US military recruits more ex-cons |
(about 7 hours later) | |
The US Army and Marine Corps recruited significantly more people with criminal records last year than in 2006, amid pressure to meet combat needs. | The US Army and Marine Corps recruited significantly more people with criminal records last year than in 2006, amid pressure to meet combat needs. |
Statistics released by a congressional committee show 861 people were granted waivers to enlist, up from 457 in 2007. | Statistics released by a congressional committee show 861 people were granted waivers to enlist, up from 457 in 2007. |
The crimes included assault, sex crimes, manslaughter and burglary. | The crimes included assault, sex crimes, manslaughter and burglary. |
The Army says waivers are only granted after careful review and are in response to the challenges of recruiting in a changing society. | The Army says waivers are only granted after careful review and are in response to the challenges of recruiting in a changing society. |
The number of people granted waivers are just a small fraction of the more than 180,000 people who entered active duty in the armed forces during the fiscal year that ended in September 2007. | The number of people granted waivers are just a small fraction of the more than 180,000 people who entered active duty in the armed forces during the fiscal year that ended in September 2007. |
But the perceived lowering of standards is causing concern in some quarters. | But the perceived lowering of standards is causing concern in some quarters. |
We're growing the army fast, and there are some waivers... It hasn't alarmed us yet Lt Gen James Thurman Deputy chief of staff for operations | We're growing the army fast, and there are some waivers... It hasn't alarmed us yet Lt Gen James Thurman Deputy chief of staff for operations |
"The significant increase in the recruitment of persons with criminal records is a result of the strain put on the military by the Iraq war," said Democratic Representative Henry Waxman. | "The significant increase in the recruitment of persons with criminal records is a result of the strain put on the military by the Iraq war," said Democratic Representative Henry Waxman. |
Mr Waxman chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that released the figures drawn up by the US Department of Defense. | Mr Waxman chairs the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that released the figures drawn up by the US Department of Defense. |
These show that: | These show that: |
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Among the convictions, many were for stealing, including burglary and car thefts, and drug offences. | Among the convictions, many were for stealing, including burglary and car thefts, and drug offences. |
Waivers were also granted to three people convicted of manslaughter, nine guilty of sex crimes, and nine convicted of making terror threats, including bomb threats. | Waivers were also granted to three people convicted of manslaughter, nine guilty of sex crimes, and nine convicted of making terror threats, including bomb threats. |
In addition, the Army and Marine Corps granted 27,671 "conduct waivers" covering what are regarded as serious misdemeanours , up from 25,098 in 2006. | In addition, the Army and Marine Corps granted 27,671 "conduct waivers" covering what are regarded as serious misdemeanours , up from 25,098 in 2006. |
Pentagon officials say that the need to recruit troops for continuing operations abroad, low unemployment at home, and declining interest in serving pose a challenge. | Pentagon officials say that the need to recruit troops for continuing operations abroad, low unemployment at home, and declining interest in serving pose a challenge. |
"We're digging deeper into the barrel than we were before," an official told the Washington Post. | "We're digging deeper into the barrel than we were before," an official told the Washington Post. |
The Army also argues that its ranks reflect the society they are drawn from. | The Army also argues that its ranks reflect the society they are drawn from. |
Only three in 10 Americans of military age meet the army's medical, moral, aptitude, or administrative requirements, army officials point out. | Only three in 10 Americans of military age meet the army's medical, moral, aptitude, or administrative requirements, army officials point out. |
"We're growing the army fast, and there are some waivers - we know that," said Army Lt Gen James Thurman, deputy chief of staff for operations. | "We're growing the army fast, and there are some waivers - we know that," said Army Lt Gen James Thurman, deputy chief of staff for operations. |
"It hasn't alarmed us yet." | "It hasn't alarmed us yet." |
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