The Wire

The Army recruitment system in the U.S. is in crisis today following allegations of inappropriate or abusive recruitment practices. The allegations are so serious the Army suspended its recruiting activities last Friday for one day. The nations 7,500 Army recruiters were given orders to stay at their stations and take the day to review their ethical and legal guidelines. The improper activities included making unfounded promises if people join up, or threatening legal action if a recruit later changed his mind and pulled out. U.S. officials say they found more than 300 substantiated cases of improper tactics last year, a 60% increase in 5 years. Nancy Lessin is the founder of the group “Military Families Speak Out”. She believes the tactics being employed by recruiters highlight their increasing inability to convince people to join the army to fight an unpopular war in Iraq. She’s speaking her with Erica Vowles.