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Post by 76chevy on Apr 21, 2008 13:45:52 GMT -5
www.theindychannel.com/news/15946250/detail.htmlWASHINGTON -- Under pressure to increase their numbers, the Army and Marine Corps have sharply raised the number of recruits with felony convictions they are admitting to the services. Data released by a congressional committee show that the number of soldiers admitted to the Army with felony records jumped from 249 in 2006 to 511 in 2007. And the number of Marines with felonies rose from 208 to 350. The bulk of the crimes involved were burglaries, other thefts, and drug offenses, but nine involved sex crimes and six involved manslaughter or vehicular homicide convictions. Several dozen Army and Marine recruits had aggravated assault or robbery convictions, including incidents involving weapons. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Henry Waxman, who released the data, noted that there may be valid reasons for granting the waivers and giving individuals a second chance. But he added, "Concerns have been raised that 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 and may be undermining military readiness." The services use a waiver process to let in recruits with felony convictions, and many of the crimes were committed when the service members were juveniles.
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Post by huxbux on Apr 21, 2008 18:49:46 GMT -5
Waxman is a real bozo, as are Reid and Pelosi. If there's anything whatsoever that may shed a bad light on the military, they'll dig it up and make it public. As far as that bunch is concerned, the military is evil. 861 individuals in two branches, I wonder what that would be as a percentage of the total?
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Post by Sasquatch on Apr 21, 2008 19:56:16 GMT -5
So, 76, which one are you voting for, Hillary or Barack? ![;)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/wink.png)
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Post by fftce67 on Apr 21, 2008 20:46:11 GMT -5
Everyone deserves a second chance. These kids that enlist now even if they have a felony conviction on thier record are out there on the front line putting their butts on the line for us to be able to do what we want to do over here.
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Post by DEERTRACKS on Apr 22, 2008 6:02:21 GMT -5
I saw a special on TV a while back indicating that of all active members in all 4 branches of our military, 1%-2% are current gang members. These same gang members are helping teach their respective gangs military tactics which local police forces are not accustomed to dealing with. This same special indicated this may be the reason that we have so much military material & equip disappearing without a trace.
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Post by swilk on Apr 22, 2008 7:24:25 GMT -5
I think it is an excellent idea to enlist felons ..... there is nobody better qualified to make sound decisions in the worst of conditions than someone who has raped/robbed/killed someone in the past.
Yes sir .... Im sure we, and the other soldiers who are REALLY counting on them, can trust these outstanding young men and women "do the right thing" when it matters.
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Post by fftce67 on Apr 22, 2008 7:43:15 GMT -5
When I enlisted back in 1987 if it was a really bad felony that was done you still wasn't entitled to enlist. Now if you was a juvy and broke into a building and took stuff unlawfully then a second chance is deserved with a waiver, but a serious felony is not tolerated and also they, rapist or someone who has intentally killed someone should be in prison.
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Post by Woody Williams on Apr 22, 2008 7:44:50 GMT -5
If a felon thinks he is tough the Marines will show him what tough really is.....
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Post by fftce67 on Apr 22, 2008 7:47:59 GMT -5
That is true the marines are the toughest with that respect. Army boy here.
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Post by swilk on Apr 22, 2008 7:58:23 GMT -5
When I enlisted back in 1987 if it was a really bad felony that was done you still wasn't entitled to enlist. Now if you was a juvy and broke into a building and took stuff unlawfully then a second chance is deserved with a waiver, but a serious felony is not tolerated and also they, rapist or someone who has intentally killed someone should be in prison. I think therein lies the problem. It seems that enlistment regulations have been relaxed enough that some violent offenders are allowed entry. Lets assume (I know it is a stretch) that our judicial system doesnt just decide to stick a felony conviction on every kid who does something bad. If you have been caught/tried/convicted of robbery/rape/manslaughter, even if you have served your time, I dont think you have the character to assume the role of our nations protector. Second chances are great ....... allow them to prove themselves in a role a little more forgiving. Not serving in our armed forces. Just my opinion.
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Post by fftce67 on Apr 22, 2008 8:05:51 GMT -5
When I enlisted back in 1987 if it was a really bad felony that was done you still wasn't entitled to enlist. Now if you was a juvy and broke into a building and took stuff unlawfully then a second chance is deserved with a waiver, but a serious felony is not tolerated and also they, rapist or someone who has intentally killed someone should be in prison. I think therein lies the problem. It seems that enlistment regulations have been relaxed enough that some violent offenders are allowed entry. Lets assume (I know it is a stretch) that our judicial system doesnt just decide to stick a felony conviction on every kid who does something bad. If you have been caught/tried/convicted of robbery/rape/manslaughter, even if you have served your time, I dont think you have the character to assume the role of our nations protector. Second chances are great ....... allow them to prove themselves in a role a little more forgiving. Not serving in our armed forces. Just my opinion. True I do think that the judicial system has been relaxed some. I wouldn't feel safe in my shallow grave, aka fox hole, with a convicted murderer, or rapist.
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Post by swilk on Apr 22, 2008 8:10:55 GMT -5
exactly.
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Post by Old Ironsights on Apr 22, 2008 13:07:30 GMT -5
The only power any government has is the power to crack down on criminals. When there aren't enough criminals, one MAKES them. One declares so many things to be a crime that it becomes impossible for men to live without breaking laws..." -- Ayn Rand "Atlas Shrugged
Violent Felons should be shot in the attemt of committing a violent crime.
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Post by 76chevy on Apr 22, 2008 13:16:41 GMT -5
It is getting harder to enlist folks (and meet the recruiting quotas) to go fight Bush's highly unpopular war on terrorism so they just relaxed the restrictions to expand the pool of eligible candidates.
They also recently launched the advertising campaign aimed at parents about talking to your kids about joining the Army.
The reality is that the best and brightest are still going to the millitary academies such as West Point and the Naval Academy and becoming the future leadership of the millitary, but lowering standards for enlisted soldiers is just a bad idea!
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Post by indianahick on Apr 22, 2008 13:44:41 GMT -5
There have been individuals in the service for years and years that have broken laws and been caught. During Johnson's war in Viet Nam there were lots of soldiers that were given a choice, go to jail or join the army. Although they were mostly theft and assault crimes. I knew one person from North Carolina that was given that given that choice. But then again he was caught running shine. He was a very interesting person.
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Post by 76chevy on Apr 22, 2008 20:20:39 GMT -5
big difference between a misdemeanor and a felony conviction!
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Post by drgreyhound on Apr 22, 2008 20:58:59 GMT -5
1. Not all felons are murderers and/or rapists or the like (and I'm sure the majority are not). That is a stereotype. 2. I'm not convinced people become felons as a result of their fabulous split-second decision-making skills--rather, it seems that individuals with felonies may lack (or have lacked) good decision-making skills at the time the felony was committed. This is not to say that individuals can never change and develop good decision-making skills in my opinion.
Food for thought...
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Post by Old Ironsights on Apr 23, 2008 9:33:03 GMT -5
big difference between a misdemeanor and a felony conviction! Nope. The difference between a Misdemeanor and a Felony is $1. Did you know, that in Montana It is a felony for a wife to open her husband's mail? Meh. Good ol' TJ had somthing to say about our current state of absurdity: No man has a natural right to commit aggression on the equal rights of another, and this is ALL from which "the Law" ought to restrain him. – Thomas Jefferson
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Post by RiverJim on Apr 25, 2008 7:21:18 GMT -5
In Indiana it is a felony charge for theft. It don't matter if it's a peice of bubble gum. It is a felony.
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Post by 76chevy on Apr 25, 2008 14:10:03 GMT -5
I would guess that most of us don't want a convicted felon practicing law or medicine in this country so why do we want one defending our freedom?
lowering the standards just to meet a recruitment quota does not make sense!
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