Double number of ex-cons join the US army

By design

The US army doubled its use of "moral waivers" for enlisted soldiers last year to cope with the demands of the Iraq war, allowing sex offenders, people convicted of making terrorist threats, and child abusers into the military, new records released yesterday showed.

The army gave out 511 moral waivers to soldiers with felony convictions last year. Criminals got 249 army waivers in 2006, a sign that the demand for US forces in Iraq has forced a sharp increase in the number of criminals allowed on the battlefield.

Not coincidence

	US army increases use of moral waivers to meet demand for troops	Guardian Unlimited	Mon Apr 21	4
	Army, Marines give waivers to more felons	CNN	Wed Apr 23	0
	U.S. Military Waivers for Ex-Convicts Increase	The Washington Post	Wed Apr 23	3
	More convicted felons allowed to enlist in Army, Marines	Associated Press	Mon Apr 21	20
	Army, Marines Allow More Convicts to Enlist	The New York Times	Mon Apr 21	3