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Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) is asking the Pentagon to explain why the number of personnel conduct waivers has increased sharply, allowing more convicted felons to join the military. “I understand that there can be valid reasons for personnel waivers and recognize the importance of providing opportunities to individuals who have served their sentences and rehabilitated themselves,” said Waxman, the chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, in a letter to the Pentagon Monday. “At the same time, concerns have been raised that the significant increase in the recruitment of persons with criminal records is a result of the strain put on the military by the Iraq war and may be undermining military readiness,” he added. Waxman said the number of such waivers in the Army has more than doubled from 2006 to 2007 and also increased sharply in the Marine Corps. Among those receiving the waivers are individuals who have been convicted of aggravated assault, drug-related crimes, sexual abuse and rape, as well as “terrorist threats including bomb threats.” Waxman is asking the Pentagon to provide him with additional information on the waivers, including any documents that could explain the increase and those related to lowering standards for enlistees. The lawmaker also requests “any data, studies or analysis done by the Department of Defense, Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Air Force on the impact of increasing the number of personnel conduct waivers or on the performance of those enlistees for whom waivers were granted.” |
