Posted on Oct 8, 2014
Would military service reduce the prison system's strain on tax dollars?
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Ok, before bashing on me, please read this through. I've given this alot of thought over the years. Our country's prison system is overcrowded yet our country could use some able hands to serve..... Why can't we let prisoners with good behavior records ( at least while in jail ) have the option to serve their country in exchange for time reduced from their sentence/charges dropped/expungments, etc.... of course the trade-offs would be adequate in comparison for what they did to begin with. I understand trusting your life in a combat situation could be tough when the guy next to you is a felon/prisoner, which is why guide lines should of course be considered. ( I.E. Exclude prisoners convicted of violent crimes or with mental disorder related crimes. )
This could serve several purposes. Our tax dollars feed these people, lets at least get some purposeful use out of them. Serving could potentially help them learn how to become a useful citizen for society when their sentence/time served is over. And of course, it could serve several more purposes that more educated people than myself could think of...
opinions? country, lessen the strain on our crowded prison system, if our tax
This could serve several purposes. Our tax dollars feed these people, lets at least get some purposeful use out of them. Serving could potentially help them learn how to become a useful citizen for society when their sentence/time served is over. And of course, it could serve several more purposes that more educated people than myself could think of...
opinions? country, lessen the strain on our crowded prison system, if our tax
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 12
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So, you want to infest our professional military with criminals...oh, but only the 'good ones'?
Wow...just wow.
Wow...just wow.
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SPC (Join to see)
Consider for a moment SGM, that a massive amount of these people are being imprisoned for non-violent offenses. In 2008 it was 90% of people in federal prison. In 2006 it was 49% of all people incarcerated in state prisons. The War on Drugs is a major cause of this. I would invite you to educate yourself on the massive inequalities and straight up corruption involved in our justice system, to include 97% of all convictions being plea deals (mass amounts of charges are threatened if one does not accept a deal) mandatory minimum laws (disproportionately affect African-Americans) and straight up no valid reason for making possession of drugs a crime (doesn't decrease use, costs the state more, actually causes more crime). It really is shocking what sort of things we put people in prison for. So I would hesitate to write these people off so quickly.
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SGM Matthew Quick
SPC (Join to see), is what I'm reading from your post is that drug users/dealers/possessors, especially blacks, would be good for military service?
People who break the law, regardless if they agree with the law or not, would not be a good fit for a professional military service.
Would you want a personal that could not follow simple rules and regulations working under you on your EOD Team?
People who break the law, regardless if they agree with the law or not, would not be a good fit for a professional military service.
Would you want a personal that could not follow simple rules and regulations working under you on your EOD Team?
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SPC (Join to see)
Oh no, I don't think that the plan mentioned is a good plan at all SGM. Just cautioning on judging people too quickly. How many people are stupid when they are young? Or get trapped in a destructive environment? Some people do deserve to be in prison, no doubt about it. But not everyone who is in prison deserves it.
Your second sentence reminds me of an amusing anecdote about a Squad Leader in my old unit, and how he joined the army. It involves marijuana, acid, whiskey, cocaine, spinning out on a railroad track, and being arrested with suspicion of dealing drugs. He was one of the best leaders I've ever met. Both tactically and in garrison.
And if he can get the job done and save someone's life, then actually I don't care about whether he follows regulations or rules at all. The first priority in EOD is preservation of life. Everything is secondary to that.
Your second sentence reminds me of an amusing anecdote about a Squad Leader in my old unit, and how he joined the army. It involves marijuana, acid, whiskey, cocaine, spinning out on a railroad track, and being arrested with suspicion of dealing drugs. He was one of the best leaders I've ever met. Both tactically and in garrison.
And if he can get the job done and save someone's life, then actually I don't care about whether he follows regulations or rules at all. The first priority in EOD is preservation of life. Everything is secondary to that.
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COL Jean (John) F. B.
SPC (Join to see) SPC Johns, there is always the exception that ones can cite, such as the squad leader you discussed. I, too, can relate several stories of soldiers with criminal histories turning themselves around and being great soldiers/NCOs, however, I think those are the exceptions.
Many of us "older" folks can remember the old "go to jail or join the Army" mentality that once existed. While many of those folks did well in the military, most did not. I, for one, certainly do not think that we should go back to that policy. Military service should be a privilege to those who can qualify; not an alternative to punishment or incarceration.
We have had way too much "social experimentation" in the military already, which, in my mind, has reduced the professionalism, effectiveness, morale, and image of the military. We don't need one more experiment. Maybe a better idea would be to establish something like the old Civilian Conservation Corps (maybe even with military supervision), where folks can go perform public service projects and "get their heads straight". It is not a function of the military to rehabilitate law breakers, regardless of the crime.
Many of us "older" folks can remember the old "go to jail or join the Army" mentality that once existed. While many of those folks did well in the military, most did not. I, for one, certainly do not think that we should go back to that policy. Military service should be a privilege to those who can qualify; not an alternative to punishment or incarceration.
We have had way too much "social experimentation" in the military already, which, in my mind, has reduced the professionalism, effectiveness, morale, and image of the military. We don't need one more experiment. Maybe a better idea would be to establish something like the old Civilian Conservation Corps (maybe even with military supervision), where folks can go perform public service projects and "get their heads straight". It is not a function of the military to rehabilitate law breakers, regardless of the crime.
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We have to remember what this organization was built on. It's not about that able body; it's about being a citizen who represents the Nation.
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Umm, NO! Serving this great nation is a privilege not a right. The honor or wearing this uniform or any uniform is reserved for those that exemplify a certain standard. Yes I am aware of people with criminal history serving past and present and as a former recruiter I can say I was disgusted at what was "accepted" in times of war.
I would not support such a program.
I would not support such a program.
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