Army Officers Could Be Disciplined Over Handling of Accused Ft. Hood Shooter

Up to eight Army officers could be disciplined for failing to properly handle the behavorial and professional problems of the accused Ft. Hood shooter, Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan, in the years leading up to the November rampage.

A Defense Department review concluded that if Hasan had been dealt with correctly his career might have ended before the shooting spree at the Army base that left 13 people dead, according to a military official who spoke to the Los Angeles Times.

Hasan's superiors allowed his psychiatry career to advance despite the fact that he repeatedly failed to meet basic officer standards for work ethic, appearance and physical fitness, according to the report.

The officers whose actions may be called into question hold ranks of colonel and below, and could be given letters of reprimand, the official, who spoke anonymously, told the Times.

The report also found the Pentagon's policies toward internal threats are outdated and don't focus enough on hunting down extremists, the official said.