All prime examples. Obviously, any major offence would disallow service, but minor issues such as assault, minor theft etc are not really a preclusion to good military service. However, sexual crimes and drug offences are deal breakers.

Yeah there are criminals who turn up alright but they can only be effective if your military has some SERIOUS disciplining measures. (basically bordering on human rights abuse)
In today's "kinder and gentler" militaries, there is no place for criminals unfortunately.

I know if I were a criminal I'd surely choose military service over jail time... But I think it should be strictly for non-violent offenders who probably won't use the skills to harm others.

I do not want any person who does not want to serve. I would rather have an obese, mentally challenged, multi time felon (all with valid waivers of course ) who wants to serve than a person forced to.

Are you sure?
Because some volunteers just ain't good enough, period, and sometimes I'd rather have someone who's fit for duty even though that person doesn't want to do it. You get issued a pair of subordinate motivators while you're at boot camp so that you can use it when you climb the ladder a bit.
If the guy can't run the mile in less than 7 minutes and he's got to be able to do that tomorrow, I can't get a fat, obese, mentally retarded volunteer to do that.
With good leadership, you can do some pretty good things with draftees.
Then again, I served in a rifle company so I could be biased.

Too many people are lazy in our world. They won't try anything.

But, if they get forced to do something great like Military Service, they may find something they love. They probably might find a career they like.

Originally Posted by the_13th_redneck

Are you sure?
Because some volunteers just ain't good enough, period, and sometimes I'd rather have someone who's fit for duty even though that person doesn't want to do it. You get issued a pair of subordinate motivators while you're at boot camp so that you can use it when you climb the ladder a bit.
If the guy can't run the mile in less than 7 minutes and he's got to be able to do that tomorrow, I can't get a fat, obese, mentally retarded volunteer to do that.
With good leadership, you can do some pretty good things with draftees.
Then again, I served in a rifle company so I could be biased.

Are there people who when forced to join would become great assets? Absolutely. A majority though would be doing everything in their power to avoid serving. When Carter pardoned all those deserters our teeth became dull. Then you had the start of political correctness with "Tailhook" and everything that came with it. Even now the recruiting services won't/can't make a person ship to boot camp. We coddle people too freakin much now to get anything out of a non-vol.

Boot camp and follow-on commands weed out the volunteers who cannot adapt or learn but for the most part at least they try...

Yeah they do try.
These morons think that you improve morale by coddling and sending singers to sing for the troops etc. No way. The best morale booster is good training which instills a sense of confidence and knowledge that when it comes to your MOS, you are the best in the world.
THAT'S what boosts morale.

Originally Posted by the_13th_redneck

Yeah they do try.
These morons think that you improve morale by coddling and sending singers to sing for the troops etc. No way. The best morale booster is good training which instills a sense of confidence and knowledge that when it comes to your MOS, you are the best in the world.
THAT'S what boosts morale.

Hit the nail squarely on the head!

A lot of people just don't seem to get it though.