Content provided in partnership with

It balances out

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Apr 30, 2008

If you heard the U.S. Army was opening its ranks to a growing number of recruits who typically cause more than their share of disciplinary problems and have a relatively high rate of desertion, you might feel things were headed in the wrong direction.

But what if that same group of enlistees tended to perform better than others in training while also re-enlisting at a higher rate and getting more awards for valor?

That's the case with one set of recruits the Army is enlisting at an increasing rate these days - those with criminal records or medical problems.

Most Popular Articles in Business: Research and Markets : Tesco Plc - SWOT Framework Analysis; Do Us a Flavor - Ben & Jerry's Issues a Call for Euphoric New Flavors; eBay made easy: ready to start an eBay business? These 5 simple steps will ...; Katrina's lawsuit surge: a legal battle to force insurers to pay for flood ...; Wal-Mart's newest distribution center opened last month near the southwest ...; More »

According to various media reports, the percentage of recruits who received waivers for misdemeanor or felony charges increased from 4.6 percent to 11 percent from 2004 through fiscal year 2007. Meanwhile, the number of medical waivers grew from about 4,300 to nearly 6,000 from 2005 to 2007.

That may seem alarming at first glance, but wait. It should be remembered that the Army doesn't grant waivers for all criminal offenses, including many sex crimes and other serious offenses. Exceptions are made for enlistees who have one felony or serious misdemeanor - a list that includes possessing marijuana or driving under the influence - or more than three minor misdemeanors such as trespassing or disorderly conduct.

Among those who have received medical waivers, high blood pressure and eye refraction were common ailments.

Also, a study showed that recruits who received waivers completed training and earned promotion to sergeant faster than others, among other positive characteristics. Granted, the same study showed those soldiers also deserted and violated regulations at a higher rate, too, but there appeared to be a number of good findings to balance the bad.

What's perhaps more concerning about Army recruiting trends is that the increase in waivers is being accompanied by a decrease in the percentage of high school graduates among incoming soldiers.

That number fell to 79 percent last year from 91 percent in 2001, which is bad news for an increasingly high-tech military.

The good news is that the Army and other branches of the service are meeting their recruitment goals despite the unpopularity of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Regardless of how Americans feel about the conflicts, it's to the benefit of the nation's current soldiers that the military is finding ways to replenish its ranks.

But like any employer, the Army needs qualified people to run efficiently.

Here's hoping the military brass isn't making too many exceptions.

It balances out

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Apr 30, 2008

Find Research Guides for:

Find Featured Titles for: Health

Most Popular Articles in Business

Most Popular Publications in Business