Lowering standards to meet recruitment numbers

Analysis:

This story is based upon a local case of a man who is trying to enlist in the military but is having difficulty do to “admission standards.” The story begins by telling the story of a man who has been denied entry into the military because of his criminal record, where he was charged with assaulting his girlfriend. This man is cited in the story and then the reporter claims that these standards might change because of low recruitment rates for the military. The story says nothing about why recrutiment rates are down, despite increased efforts from the Pentagon.

The story shifts from a specific case of domestic violence to a broader look at the increase in waivers for those seeking to enlist inthe military. An Army recruiter and an area Marine are cited in the story, but there are no dissenting or independent voices on this issue. Also, it is important to note that even though the story initially focuses on a domestic abuse case, the military spokespersons limit their comments to issues around substance abuse. Why was the issue of allowing men in the military who have a history of abusing women not pursued by the reporter? It seems like an important angle, since that is what prompted the story in the first place and because sexual assault of women in the US military is a serious problem.

Story:

For the past two years David Pace tried his best to join the Army. He worked with his recruiter and even wrote his local congressman. Repeatedly he was denied.

Back in 2000, Pace was convicted on a domestic violence charge for what he says was a verbal altercation with a former girlfriend. He served one year probation, but spent no time in jail.

Under current Army standards, Pace’s past discretion is considered severe enough to disqualify him for a waiver. His desire to serve ended there.

“I’m trying to serve my country and better myself and I couldn’t get the opportunity. It’s just not fair,” said Pace.

The standards may soon change.

Military recruitment numbers are falling fast.

It’s making it easier for some West Michigan residents with less-than-stellar criminal records to join up.

In order to boost recruiting numbers, the Pentagon is currently conducting a review to make it easier for people with minor criminal records to join.

The number of Army recruits needing waivers for things like minor drug use and petty theft rose from 15 percent in 2006 to 18 percent in 2007.

As it stands now, the waiver process is time consuming and paper work heavy.

While streamlining the process may make it easier to sign someone up, many recruiters prefer quality over larger numbers.

“You’ve got to have quality control. We can’t have people that are addicted to drugs and alcohol in our ranks,” said Army recruiter Sgt. First Class James Brandt.

The Pentagon would also like to make the waiver process more consistent between different branches of the service.

The Marine standard is the most strict. The Marines require a waiver for one-time marijuana use. Other services do not.

“Because ultimately my main goal is to make the Marine Corps stronger, not weaker,” said Staff Sgt. Mario Marin.

Both Army and Marine recruiters in Grand Rapids are meeting their recruitment goals.

As it stands now, about three in every ten recruits must get a waiver to join. Many of them are granted for medical reasons and not because of a criminal past.