Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Politics for Pros- moderated -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: ManyMoose who wrote (244855)	4/7/2008 1:23:31 PM
From: KLP	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 793782

So very very true, MM! Watching Congress fiddle while Iraq burns, as well as the US taxpayer, is just almost over the top for most of us. Most of us are slow to anger, but it is coming. It wouldn't be so bad, but for the most part, the Dems have NO CONSTRUCTIVE ideas on much of anything, but only Bash n' Dash....Too bad we can't all join and have a march on Congress to express our displeasure with their obstructiveness. Only problem is, they are gone so much on vacation, holidays, and whatever else, it's hard to plan around all the time they are gone.

To: ManyMoose who wrote (244855)	4/7/2008 10:34:51 PM
From: coug	Respond to of 793782

Did YOU see this about 1/8 of our volunteers.... The below, I mean.. BTW, I want only nice, compassionate, intelligent, BRAVE young people representing me in our (my) military.. I don't want a bunch of ex-criminals out there running wild, for I do not know what they will do, and what WE will be liable for their actions I don't know about you but that's just me as always I take personal responsibility for ME and MY country.. That's why I was talking about a draft..For the above people are OUT there.. I KNOW.. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> More Army recruits require 'conduct' waivers Waivers have helped the Army meet its recruitment goals of about 100,000 people a year for the past several years. By Jim Michaels, USA TODAY WASHINGTON — The percentage of recruits requiring a waiver to join the Army because of a criminal record or other past misconduct has more than doubled since 2004 to one for every eight new soldiers. The increase reflects the difficulties the Army faces in attracting young men and women into the military at a time of war. "Each month is a struggle, for the Army in particular," said Bill Carr, a top military personnel official. CASEY: Deployments strain Army recruiting retention INCENTIVE: Bonuses boost Reserve's recruitment The percentage of active and Reserve Army recruits granted "conduct" waivers for misdemeanor or felony charges increased to 11% last fiscal year from 4.6% in fiscal 2004, according to Army Recruiting Command statistics. So far this fiscal year, which began last October, 13% of recruits have entered the Army with conduct waivers. Most waivers involve misdemeanors. The Army has granted 4,676 conduct waivers among the 36,047 recruited from October through late February. The waivers have helped the Army meet its active and Reserve recruitment goals of about 100,000 people a year for the past several years. FIND MORE STORIES IN: Iraq \| Afghanistan \| Pentagon \| Navy \| Air Force \| Marine Corps \| Army Recruiting Command \| Bill Carr A recruit needs a waiver if he or she has one felony or serious misdemeanor or more than three minor misdemeanors. For example, a single charge of possessing marijuana or driving under the influence requires a waiver. Minor infractions include disorderly conduct, trespassing or vandalism. No exceptions can be made for a number of serious offenses, including sexual crimes or offenses related to drug or alcohol addiction. Carr and others say the military has granted waivers without hurting the quality of recruits. Exceptions are granted after examining recommendations from teachers, coaches and others. "We don't look at them unless their community stands behind them," Carr said. In another shift in the backgrounds of new Army personnel, the percentage of high school graduates among Army recruits was 79% last year, compared with 91% in 2001. Recruits who have come in with waivers generally perform better than peers who haven't needed special permission to join the Army, Carr said. "When you have people volunteering that have made some mistakes in their life, you give them fair consideration," said Frank Shaffery, deputy director of the Army's Recruiting Command. The Air Force and Navy, smaller forces which have fewer troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, generally haven't faced the same recruiting pressures. Waivers for the Marine Corps have remained relatively flat for the past four years, according to Pentagon data. usatoday.com