Moral Waiver

As we have learned, the manpower drain has caused the Army to lower recruiting standards, particularly with regards to 'moral waivers', that is, accepting people with criminal records. The percent of people accepted under moral waiver has gone from 4.6% in 2003 to 11.2% in 2007. The Army claims that many of these people do quite well. If a study by the Sacramento Bee is any indication, the Army has a different definition of 'well' than most people.

The Bee did not have access to the records of many soldiers. However, they were able to identify 120 who had been admitted on a moral waiver. 70 (58%) of these were involved in criminal or controversial activities.

Part of the problem is that recruiters are under a lot of pressure and really don't vet the background of enlistees.

You may recall the wounding of an Italian journalist and the killing of her bodyguard at a checkpoint manned by U.S. soldiers. The American who shot them was there because of a moral waiver.

A professional army? I don't think so.