Comments on: US Army recruiting ex-cons

By: Vee

Vee — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:12:00 +0000

I think before we pass judgment on ex-cons we should requests studies. I doubt that the kill team of the Stryker brigade are excons and they killed civilians and collected body parts. They look like fresh faced Midwest boys to me.

Have you ever considered that an excons threshold for stress might be a little higher than some scared kid who has only been hunting. Maybe the reason why we have such a high rate of PTSD amongst recruits is because these kids don’t realize the military is more than a steady job and combat is not a videogame.

By: Captain Insano - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

Captain Insano - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum — Sun, 29 Aug 2010 14:54:10 +0000

[...] Originally Posted by p100 So Sarah Palin says that men in uniform exemplify the values and virtues of America? Sarah has always liked the bad boys… Army, Marines allow more convicts to enlist | Reuters U.S. is recruiting misfits for army / Felons, racists, gang members fill in the ranks – SFGate Military Waivers for Ex-Convicts Increase – washingtonpost.com US Army recruiting ex-cons [...]

By: fappleyard

fappleyard — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:17:54 +0000

I think however, the fact it was a violent offense is where you would have a problem. Non-violent offenders definitely have a much easier time having their past offenses forgiven. When I served in the US Army in the late 1980s, some judges were still giving young offenders the option of joining the Army or going to jail, but I don’t believe they were ever for violent crimes.

By: Oscar Whitted

Oscar Whitted — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 14:04:44 +0000

I’m a clean 26 year old, with some probles in my past. I was arested at 18 years old, for simple robbery with a weapon. I did 6 years in DOC. Got out on good behaver. I have been out for over a year, with no prombles. but I am not able to get a job. most enployers noice me for all the others. but when they look at my history, they all tell me that they can’t enplor me. I know alot about the military and know what i want to do in the military. I am ready for the military . I do beleive the military is watting for someone like me. I what will i have to do to get in to the military.
thank you for reviwing this letter.

By: Administrator

Administrator — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 23:41:33 +0000

Rusty,
Although the US Army has greately loosened up their requirements for new recruits, that’s probably not the case for the other branches of the service. The Navy, Marines, and Air Force are likely just as strict now as they always were. The Army is the largest branch of the Military, and they make up most of the “boots on the ground” in Iraq, so they have much higher recriting goals.

By: Rusty

Rusty — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 23:24:10 +0000

I am very excited after having read this story. Unfortunately I made some very dumb decisions during my teen years. I have a history of non violent drug abuse, as well as a record of having been treated for those issues. For the last 3 years, my record and behavior have been clean. I have always wanted to serve in the military, even as a child. At 19 I was rejected for service in the Navy. I was greatly dissapointed, but thus far I’ve not been able to stop trying. I am deeply adament about joining. Hopefully I’ll get my chance to set things straight. Good luck to all others who wish to set their records straight!

By: Administrator

Administrator — Fri, 02 Jun 2006 21:04:55 +0000

Angie,
I greatly sympathize with your son’s problem. I served in the US Army myself in Germany (in the late 1980s), and although I decided not to make a career of it and just did 3 years, I felt it was a great experience.

I have a great deal of respect for anybody who joins the Marines. It’s far tougher than the Army! I really feel they are being excessively strict. You’d think with the ongoing war in Iraq, and resulting recruitment shortage, they would be willing to cut somebody a little slack on a drug test. I assume it was Marijuana?

Fred

By: Angie Jones

Angie Jones — Tue, 02 May 2006 19:49:04 +0000

I am happy to read this information, however I mailed an army recruiter about this very subject about a month ago, and she said the Army would not accept my son.

He is a very bright 21 year old who has made a lot of mistakes in his early adult life. He joined the Marines at 19. He had smoked pot prior to his testing date (which his recruiter was aware of) so his recruiter told him to drink 2 gallons of water with Certo in it and he would be fine. He passed his urine test and went to Paris Island.

When they arrived at Paris Island, there was a blood test given which the recruiter did not advise him of.
After going through the roughest 4 weeks, the results of the blood test came back.
My son was dicharged from the Marines.

From that day on, he got involved with more drugs and ended up homeless because he was stealing from me and was finally caught with numerous breaking and entering charges. He is currently serving 6 months at SEPTA Correctional facility.

I just cannot help putting some of the blame on the recruiter who needed so many more recruits to be moved up. (which he did right after my son came back home.

I know my son would have been on a completely different path, had all that not happened.