Army beings to accept lower quality recruits, gives waivers for marijuana use

The U.S. Army is pulling less qualified soldiers into its ranks while also granting waivers for soldiers who have used marijuana.

USA Today says that since Congress has reversed the trend of downsizing the military, the army has been accepting a small number of recruits with lower qualifications.

In 2005, acceptance of recruits who scored in the lower third of testing -- known as category four recruits -- had been limited to 2 percent. But that standard was pushed up to 4 percent at times.

The Pentagon mandates that no more than 4 percent of category four recruits can be admitted into service.

However, Major General Jeffrey Snow said, “We made a conscious decision to bring in some more Category 4 soldiers during the months that it is most difficult for us to meet the training seat requirement.”

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The military is also accepting recruits who have admitted to smoking marijuana so long as they vow not to do it again which can save money on a soldier’s bonus.

In 2016, two-star generals like Snow had grant waivers for marijuana offenses when 191 waivers were granted.

But in 2017, officers on the level of lieutenant colonel were able to grant waivers, when 506 waivers were granted.