To Prison or the Corps.

**Farnan** · February 02, 2006, 02:23 PM

In the past, non-violent criminals were given the option of joining the military instead of going to prision. Today, because of some reason or another this option is no longer availabe, and I think it should be reinstated. Though the title suggest the Marine Corps. the option would allow them to join the USN, the USMC, or the US Army. This would provide benefits to both society and the criminal.

Advantages to the criminal:

1. It would remove them from the situation that prompts them to commit the crimes.

2. It would instill a sense of pride that comes from having served in the military.

3. It assists in the procurement of a job after his term of enlistment.

4. If they serve long enough it provides a chance for college.

5. They don't have to go to jail.

Advantages to soceity:

1. It helps deal with the recruitment problem.

2. It helps with prison overcrowding.

3. It turns a non-productive citizen to a productive one.

What do you think of this?

**Justinian** · February 02, 2006, 02:26 PM

It degrades the quality of the armed forces.

**Farnan** · February 02, 2006, 02:28 PM

Originally Posted by Justinian

It degrades the quality of the armed forces.

I don't think it really degrades the quality of the armed forces, as they would have to go through the same training, and be subject to the same regulations. Don't forget the Marine DI motto "We can make anyone a Marine."

Also the British Army and Royal Navy during the Napoleonic Period contained many ex-criminals...

**bigfootedfred** · February 02, 2006, 02:30 PM

I don't think it really degrades the quality of the armed forces, as they would have to go through the same training, and be subject to the same regulations. Don't forget the Marine DI motto "We can make anyone a Marine."

Over here, the royal marine motto is "99.9% need not apply"

An intersting sidenote, the Royal marines were Originally the Red coated Guard onboard all of her majestys ships.

**Farnan** · February 02, 2006, 02:31 PM

Originally Posted by Bigfootedfred

Over here, the royal marine motto is "99.9% need not apply"

The idea behind the motto is that the training they give can transform the worst soldier into a Marine...

**Tacticalwithdrawal** · February 02, 2006, 02:33 PM

nope, for the Royal Marines the "99.9% need not apply" means exactly what it says, only 0.01% are good enough to become a Royal Marine

**Richard the Lionheart** · February 05, 2006, 04:19 PM

Originally Posted by Justinian

It degrades the quality of the armed forces.

Exactly.

**Rush Limbaugh** · February 05, 2006, 04:36 PM

If we didnt allow anyone who did something against the law in the military we wouldnt have many people to choose from. I dont mean convicted. Were not speaking of allowing violent criminals to take this option. You dont think someone for instance who sold pot once in their life should be able to get in? Does it really make a difference if they got caught or not? Are we all so perfect?

**Last Roman** · February 05, 2006, 10:54 PM

Originally Posted by Honor&Glory

Exactly.

not if they go through the same training as everyone else

And serial killers shouldn't become "heroes" to their towns after they get a very long sentence for multiple violent crimes, I think, just for serving in the corps.

like several people have said, violent criminals would not be let in

**boss1522** · February 02, 2006, 02:27 PM

I completely agree. They should reinstate it.

**Farnan** · February 02, 2006, 02:34 PM

I meant the US Marine motto...

**IronBrig4** · February 02, 2006, 02:51 PM

Sounds like a good idea, provided they're spread out among the different units. The last thing we need is a number of penal battalions. Penal battalions have always been looked down upon.

**Homi** · February 02, 2006, 02:52 PM

Penal battalions have always been looked down upon.

Not to mention having been used as mine sweepers....
Come to think of it, why don't we employ deathrow convicts as mine sweepers?

**humvee2800** · February 02, 2006, 02:54 PM

now that i think about it reinstating that choice could prove useful too society

**Last Roman** · February 02, 2006, 03:09 PM

I think it is a good idea, seeing how our Army is need of numbers and it would ease the crowding in our prisons

**Farnan** · February 02, 2006, 03:06 PM

Ironbrig: Yea, spread out among the units, with only those who need to know (his commanding officer, Platoon Seargent and the NCOs in his squad) knowing that he had a criminal background. That way he isn't isolated, yet his commanders know his background...

**Count of Montesano** · February 02, 2006, 03:08 PM

While it sounds good in theory, criminals don't always change their nature just because they are in uniform. The Army found that out the hard way after Vietnam, when the govt started a program allowing juvenile offenders and petty criminals to do time in the military instead of jail.

I don't know how many of you watched the movie "Buffalo Soldiers," where Joaquim Phoenix plays a slimeball running a drug cartel on an Army base in Germany. The movie has some real basis in truth, since in the late 70s-early 80s the Army had many petty criminals who had been forced into service.

I've talked to vets who served at that time - and they all said they wouldn't want to go back to the "go to war or go to jail" system. The Army still has a drug and crime problem but nowhere nearly as bad as then.

The only way I could see it work is by taking a cue from the Imperial British Army and Navy,both of which were also filled with petty criminals. Severe corpreal punishment for those who step out of line - but I imagine the modern US Army could never re-instate flogging or today's Navy introduce keelhauling.

You also have to ask yourself, do I want to teach petty thugs - who just might rejoin their gang banging homies - squad tactics, hand-to-hand moves and marksmanship?

**Farnan** · February 02, 2006, 03:12 PM

To the Count: What if they would instate the policy that if you were caught committing a crime after being sent to the military to commit a crime they give the original jail sentence you would have gotten, plus the jail sentence you would get for committing the crime in the military?