An idea about the military shortage.

[Guest CronoT]

This is a bit of a radical idea, but it does have some precedent. Back during the 40's and 50's, it was done quite often. Also, this is meant to be a serious discussion, so no lamers, please.

 

Would you support a policy where white-collar and non-violent criminals, such as people in prison for theft, drug possession, and other similar crimes, could be given a choice:

 

A. Got to prison for your sentence.

or

B. Serve a 2-5 year tour of duty, frontline assignments.

 

With option B., if you survive, when you tour of duty is over, you sentence is considered served. Choosing option B. would of course be completely voluntary; no one would be forced to do it. What do you think?

[Guest combat_rock]

It might be tough today, sense so many people, even on the front lines need security clearances. Still, if they can get away with it, I don't have a problem. Just make sure they aren't put in a position where something major falls back on them.

[Styles 0]

I always thought it would be fun to send all the gangs, bikers and criminals out to fight our wars and let them get the job done...

[Highland 0]

"Yeah, I got caught with some dope a couple years and they gave me a choice, so I went to the army, did my time there and the best part is they taught me how to fuck shit up, man!"

 

"Coool!! Where do I sign up?"

 

Seriously though, there's upsides and downsides to this. One the one hand a stint in the military could shape some misfits up and put them back on the straight and narrow, on the other hand teaching some of these people how to kill isn't a great idea.

[NoCalMike 0]

The problem though is, unless the gangs/bikers/gangsters were severly filtered in, they in essence could just revolt under the presence of "Authority" and make matters even worse.

[Guest CronoT]

The problem though is, unless the gangs/bikers/gangsters were severly filtered in, they in essence could just revolt under the presence of "Authority" and make matters even worse.

That's what boot camp is for, Mike.

 

Unless you're a complete psychopath, having someone constantly yelling at you in your face 20/7 will have a profound affect on you.

[Justice 0]

The problem though is, unless the gangs/bikers/gangsters were severly filtered in, they in essence could just revolt under the presence of "Authority" and make matters even worse.

That's what boot camp is for, Mike.

 

Unless you're a complete psychopath, having someone constantly yelling at you in your face 20/7 will have a profound affect on you.

Indeed. I'd say exclude any sexual or serious assault charges (Like Manslaughter or anything) and only if the sentence is within a year's length of their time in the Armed Services. (I.E. You can't do this with a life sentence for multiple robberies, but if you got a few carjacking convictions for about 6 years, you'd be eligible). And the minimum would have to be around 3 years, with possibly restricted shore leave/off time.

[Guest Vitamin X]

I agree with this, but I doubt it would happen. This would tarnish the reputation of our armed forces, and it wouldn't be an all-volunteer military which is another thing the defense department prides itself on.

 

Also, the air force and I believe the navy are making some big cuts as well in personnel, from what I understand they have too many people as it is, so that seems rather limited.

[NoCalMike 0]

well that is assuming they even get through boot camp without trying to murder the captain or something. I mean these aren't 18 year old kids looking for "adventure" These are hardened criminals who don't seem to give a shit either way, and would seeminly hardly be interested in fighting for the country.

[Guest Vitamin X]

But the key in his proposal is that these would be people convicted of non-violent or white collar crimes would be the ones eligible for the program.

 

A lot of these kinds of people can be given second chances, and their prison terms are about equal to what military folks do (8 years..and that doesn't depend on anything. When you sign up for the military you sign your ass over to Uncle Sam for 8 years and that's it.), so it seems like a much more productive way to get people shaped up for life after prison/military, as long as they don't go stealing cars or doing coke again.

[Highland 0]

Do what the French Foreign Legion does: Create new identities for them so they're expendable and then send them to the various hot spots around the globe and tell them they either complete the mission or die in the attempt.

Simple.

[Guest Cerebus]

This is a bit of a radical idea, but it does have some precedent. Back during the 40's and 50's, it was done quite often. Also, this is meant to be a serious discussion, so no lamers, please.

 

Would you support a policy where white-collar and non-violent criminals, such as people in prison for theft, drug possession, and other similar crimes, could be given a choice:

 

A. Got to prison for your sentence.

or

B. Serve a 2-5 year tour of duty, frontline assignments.

 

With option B., if you survive, when you tour of duty is over, you sentence is considered served. Choosing option B. would of course be completely voluntary; no one would be forced to do it. What do you think?

Awful, awful, awful idea.

 

Would you want to work with some crack dealer, gang member, rapist, murderer, or car thief? I wouldn't.

 

Now would you want to put your life in the hands of a guy like that?

 

No. Fuck no.