Army issues waivers to 1,000 recruits for history of bipolar, depression, self-mutilation

The Army issued waivers over 13 months to more than 1,000 recruits who had been diagnosed and treated for mood disorders and 95 more with a history of self-mutilation, according to data obtained by USA TODAY. The acceptance of new soldiers with a history of serious behavioral-health issues, some of which can be lifelong challenges, came at a time when the Army struggled to meet its recruiting goals and was under sharp criticism from Sen. John McCain for accepting any recruits who had mutilated themselves. The time period ran through October 2017.