Summary Box: Recruits with records often promoted faster

TROUBLED PAST: People who needed special waivers to get into the Army because of bad behavior were less likely to complete the initial term of enlistment. They also faced more courts-martial and had higher misconduct rates.

BETTER FUTURE: But soldiers who needed waivers were more likely to re-enlist and were promoted faster to sergeant, said an internal military study obtained by The Associated Press.

CONCLUSION: Taking a chance on a well-screened applicant with a criminal, bad driving or drug record usually pays off, the study concluded.