According to data released by a congressional committee, the Army and Marine Corps brought in more recruits with felony convictions last year than in 2006. The number of soldiers admitted to the Army with felony records jumped from 249 to 511; and the number of Marines with felonies rose from 208 to 350.

The Army and Marine Corps have both been struggling to increase their numbers as part of a broader effort to meet combat needs. As a result, the number of recruits needing waivers for crimes has risen in recent years, including those needing medical or aptitude waivers. Most of the crimes committed were burglaries, thefts, and drug offenses. However, nine involved sex crimes (including incest) and six involved manslaughter or vehicular homicide.

A waiver process is used to let recruits with felony convictions in the services. Waivers must be approved by an officer ranked brigadier general or higher, and recruits must have written recommendations from community leaders. "Waivers are used judiciously and granted only after a thorough review," said Pentagon spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Withington.

Army spokesman Paul Boyce said that providing waivers "is the right thing to do for those Americans who want to answer the call to duty" for those who are otherwise qualified. He said that it’s the recruit’s duty to prove they should be let into the service.

-Lilly Ryden