Did recruitment issues let gunman in the military?

Aaron Alexis Enlisted In Navy During Period Of Criminal Record Waivers
Huffington Post
David Wood
Posted: 09/17/2013

Alleged Washington Navy Yard shooter Aaron Alexis was able to enlist in the Navy in 2007, despite an earlier shooting incident in which he claimed to have "blacked out" -- a record which normally might have disqualified him for military service.

But at the time, the Navy and the other military services were struggling to reach their wartime recruiting goals, and were granting thousands of waivers to potential recruits with criminal backgrounds.

The Navy declined to release Alexis' personnel records, and a spokesman for the Navy Recruiting Command, in Millington, Tenn., said the command does not keep data on waivers.

Navy officials confirmed Tuesday that during his military service, Alexis was cited for many instances of misconduct, including unauthorized absence from work, insubordination, absence without leave, disorderly conduct and a minor failure of a room inspection.

Military recruiting standards, according to a Defense Department directive, are intended to screen out individuals "who are likely to become disciplinary cases or security risks or who disrupt good order, morale and discipline." The directive allows senior officers to authorize some exceptions to the standards, known as waivers.
read more here