Ethics Newsline®

WASHINGTON
Following high-profile reports of serious misconduct by some of its recruiters, the U.S. Army last week said it will hold a one-day “values stand-down” to reemphasize the importance of sticking to legal and ethical standards.

“It’s ethics-under-pressure training,” recruiting command spokesman Douglas Smith told the New York Times. “We want to emphasize that bending the rules is not the way to make mission.”

The one-day nationwide suspension of all recruiting activities follows reports that recruiters have helped applicants’ conceal criminal records, drug problems, diseases, academic shortcomings, and other issues that would disqualify them from serving in the armed forces.

The unusual move comes amid high pressure on Army recruiters, who have failed to meet quotas for the last three months despite repeatedly relaxing requirements and boosting incentives.

The stand-down, scheduled for Friday, May 20, affects all of the Army’s 7,5000 recruiters and 1,700 stations across the country, according to the Los Angeles Times.