Metro Spirit national security blog

The CBS News affiliate out of Denver investigates the rising use of "moral waivers" by Army recruiters, which allow them to accept gang members and dope smokers. The report says:

With a high demand for soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army has struggled to meet its recruiting and retention goals in past years. However, in the 2006 fiscal year, the Army exceeded its goal by enlisting 80,635 new troops. ...

Nationally, the Army has increased its acceptance of moral waivers from 7,640 in 2001 to 11,018 in 2006.

At the same time, the age limit was also increased, and the aptitude requirements were lowered.