Tully Mars

I don't think there's any reason to add anything to the UCMJ regarding this issue. Article 107 covers "False Official Statements." It's my understanding that 107 covers "official documents and official statements including all documents and statements made in the line of duty." I'm no military law expert but it's my understanding that knowingly making false statements in the line of duty would include lying while attempting to recruit someone.

Now I could be wrong. The UCMJ, like most federal and state statutes, can be difficult for the layperson to interpret correctly. Basically there's a reason the bar exam requires significant effort to pass.

But if I am wrong in regards to Article 107, there's always Article 134. It's basically an end all, catch all article. We used to refer to it as the "don't be an asshole article." I have little doubt that lying in the attempt to recruit someone would be covered by this article.

So, as I see it additional laws and articles are not the issue. It's getting the military to adhere to the standards of ethics already covered. Unfortunately I think there's the serious possibility that, at times, that may not be seen as being in the best interest of the military by the upper level command that would be responsible for enforcing such articles.

So, I agree there could be a logical reason for some type of civilian oversight. How that's done with any reasonable effectiveness is beyond me. But many states have civilian oversight for police, fire, and family services. I know that whenever a child is removed from the home of an Oregon resident the case is not only sent to the citizen's review board but also, at times, a childs advocate is assigned by the court. Perhaps some type of oversight could be modeled after these civilian involvements.

Thanks.

I don't recall any NCO questioning me about what my recruiter did or did not tell me, but that was 25 yrs. ago. I really didn't much care. I was flipping burgers when I joined and was happy to never again have to ask anyone if they "wanted fries with that?" Then again there were no wars going on when I joined, it was a totally different time in history. I was surprised to find out that after my four years were up I would be in the in active reserve and could be returned to duty, no questions asked at anytime during that two years. I remember specifically asking if the fours years was it and my recruiter told me "even if WWIII breaks out you'll be done and out after four years." That was a lie.

It's possible my daughter was asked these questions upon getting to Cape May, really don't know. I didn't think her CG recruiter was attempting to be dishonest with her for the most part. But we also made it clear early on that we been there, done that and bought the t-shirt with the Navy and Air Force. So??? Honestly I don't think the CG is having much difficultly in recruitment. I know I read one report (DoD, can't remember?) last summer stating of the 400 plus applicants from Oregon in 2006 they ended up accepting somewhere around 53.

I think the USMC took about 90% of their applicants during the same reporting period.

I'm sure these numbers are available somewhere.

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