Well I'll be go-to-he!!. Thanks for educating me on that, I figured for sure that was done long before Bush became president.
And another tidbit from CNN: It wasn't always like this. In the past, when the economy was strong, the military struggled to fill its ranks. But since fiscal year 2006, the DOD has consistently met or exceeded its recruitment goals. This occurred even as the Navy, Marines and Air Force raised the bar on their goals.
Link to CNN storyBut since fiscal year 2006, the DOD has consistently met or exceeded its recruitment goals. Yes...the drug/felony waivers helped, though they weren't a lot. It was mainly the Army problem, and the DoD had to play some numbers games (adjust target to meet recruitment, boost bonuses, restrict mustering out, etc.).
Sad it takes a bad economy to turn this around.