Military programs move into middle schools to fish for future soldiers

[cyberpj]

The Children’s Crusade
Military programs move into middle schools to fish for future soldiers
By Jennifer Wedekind

Tarsha Moore stands as tall as her 4-foot 8-inch frame will allow. Staring straight ahead, she yells out an order to a squad of peers lined up in three perfect columns next to her. Having been in the military program for six years, Tarsha has earned the rank of captain and is in charge of the 28 boys and girls in her squad. This is Lavizzo Elementary School. Tarsha is 14.

http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/2136

[applegrove]

1. This cannot be true! n/t

[cyberpj]

2. Read on....... and weep.......

The MSCC and JROTC programs are funded by the Defense Department, which has a $3 billion annual recruitment budget. Recruitment officers roam high schools promoting the image of a secure military career and enticing students with promises of money for college.

The "lies" mentioned by Bhagwat include the reality that, on average, two-thirds of recruits never receive college funding and only 15 percent graduate with a four-year degree. As for a "secure" career, the unemployment rate for veterans is three times higher than non-veterans.

Opponents of the JROTC program also cite ethnic profiling, arguing that the military targets students from minority and low-income areas. The Chicago Public School system is 49.8 percent African American and 38 percent Latino. Students coming from low-income families make up 85.2 percent of Chicago's student population. JROTC director Mills is correct when he says the racial and socioeconomic status of those in Chicago's JROTC program reflects the school system as a whole, but only five schools in all of the more affluent Chicago suburbs have JROTC programs.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

7. targets students from minority and low-income areas.

F911 taught us that.....

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. They've already been there. The Air Force's Civil Air Patrol has

been around for decades.

[jody]

4. I agree that our military should not use such programs for recruiting.

On the other hand, Junior ROTC programs are often the only source where students can learn self discipline and to respect themselves and others.

Does anyone know what percent of students in those programs join the military?

Perhaps some antiwar group could demand equal time to talk to Jr. ROTC classes about joining the military.

[Sabriel]

5. How about other non-aggressive ways?

TRIBES, volunteer service... the list goes on. Why does it have to be military-oriented?

[jody]

10. I agree however which of those are integrated into a schools curriculum?

JROTC programs have convenience and funding.

If we had a Department of Peace to complement the Department of Defense (War), then we could have school programs devoted to peace that are comparable to JROTC.

[cyberpj]

8. Here are some stats quoted in the article -remember, this is MIDDLE school

Not even high school or college yet.


Only 18 percent of graduating JROTC seniors are considering joining the service, says Mills. He does not have statistics on how many of the 71 percent that go on to post-secondary school stay with the ROTC program.

[jody]

9. Is the 18% figure representative of schools across the U.S.? n/t

[cyberpj]

11. Hmmm. I believe that's the case but the article doesn't say so

in those exact terms.

[HysteryDiagnosis]

6. Better off if the Peace Corp went in.... Amurka's addiction to

militarism needs to come to an end, the sooner the better.