Groups Unite Against Military Recruiters

[Judi Lynn]

Groups Unite Against Military Recruiters
Parents, Activists Join Forces to Keep Military Recruiters From Contacting High School Students

By MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA Jun 17, 2005 — Nancy Carroll didn't know schools were giving military recruiters her family's contact information until a recruiter called her 17-year-old granddaughter.

That didn't sit well with Carroll, who believes recruiters unfairly target minority students. So she joined activists across the country who are urging families to notify schools that they don't want their children's contact information given out.

"People of color who go into the military are put on the front line," said the 67-year-old Carroll, who is black.

A provision of President Bush's No Child Left Behind Act requires school districts to provide military recruiters with student phone numbers and addresses or risk losing millions in federal education funding. Parents or students 18 and over can "opt out" by submitting a written request to keep the information private.
(snip/...)

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=858311

[otohara]

1. There's A Reason Why This Woman Didn't Know

it's because the lazy press never reported on it and the school never informed her properly.

I contacted my son's school and complained that they were not informing "parents" as stated in NCLB bill. All they were doing was making an announcement over the school's PA s system "anyone intersted in signing opt-out form, come to office" Knowing no one would know what the fuck the opt out form was.

I wanted a full opt-out form printed in the school news paper.

Although I didn't get what I wanted, they did a small story in the registration package for the upcoming year. They did not inform that girls have the rights to sign the forms also.

[bluestateguy]

2. major reforms are needed in this area

Here's what I would propose

1. Recruiters must tell prospective enlistees the truth about the military.

2. All enlistees under the age of 21 must obtain either parental consent or the signature of an attorney who has verified that the person has read and understands the contract.

3. Recruiters should be required to target low income areas in equal proportion to high income areas.

4. Recruiting offices should be placed in equal proportion among low income neighborhoods and high income neighborhoods.

5. No more selling the military to young people with video game and amuesment park tactics.

6. A national do not call list for all American households who do not wish to be called by recruiters.

7. Repeal of the section of the No Child Left Behind law that requires names of all students be turned over to recruiters as a condition for federal funding.

8. Parents of high school students should be given a chance to opt-in at the start of each semester by signing a form that will allow recruiters to talk to their children.

[HockeyMom]

4. I signed the Opt Out

in the beginning of my daughter's Senior year. What I didn't know, was that once she turned 18 in April of her Senior year, it was worthless. SHE had to sign another one herself. The recruiter waited ONE WEEK after her 18th birthday and started calling.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

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[HockeyMom]

5. US Government Caller ID

We just got a call from the above the other day. I didn't answer it. I now wonder if it was a Military Recruiter for my daughter again - 3 years later. We had a lot of problems with them when she was in HS. She is now at the end of her 3rd year of college. Maybe they are calling again to see if she wants to sign up when she graduates?

I wonder.