Army lifts ban on recruits with history of self-mutilation, drug and alcohol abuse

SSG Diane R. What they are thinking is that with today's youth, there are no other way for them to meet recruiting numbers.

LT Brad McInnis - quality over quantity always leads to Victory.

SSG Diane R. - Unfortunately, those number crunchers at the top have forgotten that basic principle for success.

It’s still allowing waivers on a case by case basis, so people with bipolar disorder could still serve. Does the Army need to reread about what the Air Force helped cause in Texas?

SSG(P) (Join to see) - You are completely putting the horse in front of the cart. That has always been the policy. Hence the (somewhat) psych screening at MEPS. Case by case. Meaning, the potential recruit HAS TO PROVE they are good to go. The burden of proof is on them. Then they have to supply all the required documents needed to go with the waiver. Besides, find me someone in the military that DOESN'T have some sort of psychological disorder/concern/issue. I'd rather have someone with controlled with meds bipolar disorder in a foxhole with me than someone who got deployed even though they were pending a criminal trial in the civilian world for felony rape.