The Defense Department’s top personnel official acknowledged that the armed services allowed 903 felons to enter the armed forces in 2007, but dismissed news media reports that suggest the military now allows dangerous criminals to enter its ranks. Waivers were granted to persons who committed “youthful pranks that went way too far,” Bill Carr, the acting deputy undersecretary for military personnel policy, said, adding, “the military determines that they’re worth betting on and gives them a second chance.” Carr also said that the number constituted only one half of one percent of all enlistees last year. In 2007, 511 convicted felons joined the Army and another 350 entered the Marine Corps. A year earlier, the Army accepted 249; the Marines took in 208. Waivers were granted to recruits who had been convicted of crimes like consensual sex with minors, involuntary manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol, but in most cases the recruits committed the infractions years before they were allowed to join the service, Carr said.