Misconduct discharges increase sharply in Army

[MADem]

1. "Force shaping."

This is a common tactic--rightly or wrongly--in a drawdown.

You will also see drug testing increasing, and consequences for failed tests become more severe; physical readiness standards will begin to be enforced--rigorously--and fat people and slow runners will be shown the door; promotions will be harder to come by; and this will continue until the service meets target attrition goals.

The mid-nineties saw the same drill to reduce numbers. It was painful and ugly back then, too--rules that had been ignored were suddenly enforced, and "zero tolerance" was the name of the game. Many people were handed their walking papers who didn't want to leave.

I would hope that some of the veterans' organizations, like VFW, are helping these individuals apply to upgrade their discharges so they will be eligible for services.

Peacetime armies are smaller.