Max Power
Footballguy
https://www.yahoo.com/news/u-army-now-taking-applicants-214510530.html
I'm pretty disturbed reading this. I think there have to be better ways to get people to enlist than to constantly drop the standards.People with a history of mental illness, drug abuse and self-mutilation can now apply to serve in the U.S. Army, according to a report on Sunday, which emerged as a former Air Force recruit’s mass shooting at a Texas church continues raising questions about the military’s handling of mental health problems.
The Army signed off on the change of policy in August but never announced it, USA Today reported. The decision comes while the Army struggles to meet its goal of recruiting 80,000 new soldiers by September 2018, as President Donald Trump ramps up the years-long battle against terror groups.
Under the new policy, applicants with mental health issues that previously would have barred them from service can ask for waivers allowing them to sign up. This ends an eight-year ban on the waivers that started after a spike in suicides among American fighters. It is unclear how many waivers will be available.
Army spokesman Lt. Col. Randy Taylor told USA Today there is now “increased availability of medical records,” which gave officials more confidence they can properly vet medical histories. Potential recruits will have to provide records along with a detailed statement and photos, and also undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
During America's 16-year War On Terror, the military has often struggled to handle mental health problems among fighters after rises in suicides and violence against innocent civilians. More than 200 active-duty servicemembers have died by suicide every year since 2008, according to Pentagon data. A study published this year by JAMA Psychiatry found that suicide attempts in the military are often infectious and help push even more recruits to try taking their own lives.