should convicts be allowed to enlist in the military ?

Answer 1

In general? Yeah, I think they should. With some exceptions. They should have completed ALL conditions of their sentences. (fines, parole, treatment, etc.) Lifelong career miscreants who've not demonstrated a change to sociopathic attitudes should be barred, etc. In a nutshell, they should show that their past is truly in their past, and are ready to be responsible citizens. It should be that way but it's not. Even a one time screwup who's never done anything but the one crime will forever be labelled "criminal". The person CAN theoretically have his rights restored, but it's incredibly rare that one succeeds.
Other exceptions are rapist, childmolester- types. There's a well established psychological foundation showing that they're often, or usually prone to reoffend. The causes are so deep rooted in the person's personality, that it's too likely they'll continue to victimize others.

Answer 2

one of the factors which contributes to making the american military the strongest force the world has ever seen is the very fact that despite our sometimes numerical inferiority we serve with a 100% professional volunteer force. To conscript convicts into the military would destroy the volunteer factor of our military and the simple act of allowing convicts in would take away from the professional core.

Most people don't realize this, but every soldier in the military is highly trained at their job, especially with the streamlining of forces in the military (and especially in the AF). We've learned a long time ago that throwing more bodies at a problem is not the way to make things better. We fight smarter, not harder and by so doing we save lives and taxpayer dollars alike. So please, keep the cons out of our military, they'd only hurt our image, our equipment, and our personnel.

Answer 3

NO! Our strength as a Fighting Force in the Defense of the United States is because we are a PROFESSIONAL Volunteer Corps -- and motivated to serve.

NO Professional Soldier wants to have to serve with a Conscript who has a PROVEN track record of NOT following the Letter of the Law, no Moral Codes, disobedience of rules, etc -- and that is before the FACT that the US government and the Military will NOT entrust these Convicts with the Responsibility for their Resources (which includes not just materiel (like tanks, guns, etc), but also the TRAINED Volunteer Servicemember!).

Answer 4

In WWII, convicts sometimes made very good combat soldiers. The problem is today things are different. Not only is there a lot more high tech which requires a certain ability to cooperate with others, something that convicts aren't good at.

But, we also have women in our support units. All we need is a bunch of feminist stories about these women being raped by convicts! Bad idea.

Answer 5

(1) "Foreign Legion" type frameworks do work. In that context, convicts could serve honorably.

(2) With regards to enlisting alongside high school graduates and other volunteers who have demonstrated a willingness to follow the laws of the land and to defend them, no. The motivation of convicts in military service is first and foremost, escape from incarceration, not defense of the Constitution.

(3) The manpower crunch in the service branches is not so bad that we have to take the dregs of society from prisons and put them in uniform. Even conscription, as contrary to American values as it may be, is preferable to employing felons for the nation's defense.

Answer 6

Nope, the Armed Services of the United States of America is a very dignified and superior group of Men an Women. The convicts should be used to perform menial duties like picking lettuce, scrubbing urinals, trimming trees, etc... You know, the jobs Americans don't want to do! That would solve Americas immigration problem. But I do suggest that they only use the low risk inmates. America should not let a maximum security inmate to pick lettuce.

Answer 7

You would be surprised at how many people are actually in the military because the judge at their trial said "join up or go to jail," I know I work with a few in the Navy, and I know there is alot more out there.

Answer 8

yes yes yes yes.... just because some teenager makes a mistake or 2 doesnt mean they are bad ppl it just means they need guidance. in my platoon at basic everyone admtted they had broken at least 5 laws but never got caught.....im sure you went 1 mile over the speed limit or got in a fight or probably smoked pot huh? so just because they are caught and did thier time makes them less than non convicted ppl? also read up military only allows certain numbers of felonies and of certain thing.... someone who got convicted of posession with the intend to sell can still join but a murderer cant. and i know SEVERAL ppl who were good kids UNTIL they joined up then bad things happen

Answer 9

Bound's hubby here:

Absolutely not! By being convicted, they have demonstrated their inability to follow orders or direction. The military (contrary to what some think) is not a hoard of undiscipline vandals out to rape, pillage, and burn at will!

Answer 10

well with the high tech, and highly sensitive material offen given to even the poor gunts, all sorts of different security clearances are needed. would you give a security clearance to a convict. It is not like the old days when you needed cannon fodder.