The words "courage," "honor" and "patriotism" are often used to describe those in the military — our troops who are sent to defend our freedoms.

Many would be hard-pressed to use those same words when describing people with criminal backgrounds.

Yet, in the face of declining recruitment numbers, the U.S. Army has been extending "moral waivers" to recruits who have such histories. Given the abuses we have seen in places such as Abu Ghraib prison, this is unacceptable.

Department of Defense records show the number of moral waivers has jumped from 4,918 in 2003 to 8,129 in 2006, a 65 percent increase. The number represents more than 10 percent of the Army's total recruiting last year of 69,395 men and women.

A University of California-Santa Barbara study puts the overall number at more than 125,000 service members with criminal histories who have enlisted since the practice began in 2003.

These are troubling figures that threaten the culture of the Army. Waivers have been granted for misdemeanors such as burglary, robbery and vehicular homicide. Last year, the Army granted moral waivers to more than 800 convicted felons.

Granted, those who have served their time deserve a second chance to become a productive part of society. But putting them in situations where weapons and power can be abused is not an ideal solution. At the very least, the Army should track and monitor those who have been given such waivers.

Lowering standards to fit recruitment quotas should not be an option.

Better educational incentives, increased career opportunities, expanded benefits — these are the things that will better attract those with courage, honor and patriotism.