When I was activated (NG unit was called up) in 1968 I met quite a few people who I found less than brilliant. Nonetheless, they made decent soldiers. There were some, however, who shouldn't have been either recruited OR drafted: some were drunks, some whoremongers (a term in use among the US military in Korea at the time), some of very low intelligence, and some psychotics. I remember one chap, a VN returnee, who showed pictures of dead Vietnamese the way other guys showed pictures of their wives or girlfriends -- one night on CQ this guy, who was "permanent CQ runner," disturbed me so much I slipped a loaded .45 where I could get it easily (and I wasn't the only CQ who did this).

He should have been helped, but I understand he went on a two week leave and deserted.

Yes, the standards were lower.