Military Recruitment in Schools

AuthorMessage
Maiku's Kind Ghost
King For A Couple Of Days
Maiku's Kind Ghost
Age: -
Gender: -
Posts: 2102

Mibba
January 23rd, 2008 at 03:47pm
The Number of Iraq/Afghanistan War Casualties Under Age 25:
2,576, Over Half The Total Number of Casualties (4,396)
Highest Casualty Age Group: 21(544)
Armed Forces Branch with the Most Casualties: Army (2,636)


http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/


In America, more specifically my town, even more specifically my High School, The recruiters from the Navy, Army, Marines, or National Guard are allowed to come into my school and during it's lunch waves and "recruit" kids. They set up tables outside the lunch room ( in plain sight of anyone walking by) with stickers, buttons, water bottles, Frisbees etc. and brochures with the aim to draw the kids in and get them to join their branch of the armed forces. I've even noticed them using recent school alumni who have joined that branch to aid in the process as well. They even have trailer trucks with movies and video games....
On the other hand, when collage representatives come to my school, they are confined to room called the Career Center, are given a designated class period where kids, with hall passes from that period's teacher, can go down and talk to them. Why is it that a post secondary school option that can lead to you going to war and as a highly possible outcome, end up dead or maimed can rather freely advertise to young, impressionable children with out teacher supervisors to a large extent. Yet an option where there is a 99.9% chance that nothing life threating will happen to you and, in the long run, will serve you better is given restrictions. (Disregarding the fact that the armed forces pay for collage, give people "skills and Jobs" and offer early retirement- though it depends rather heavily on which branch and sometimes those promises don't materialize.) This isn't limited to my school either, this happens in High Schools all across America.

I think that the Armed Forces should not be allowed to advertise in schools during school hours.They should not be allowed to hand out toys or use video games to simulate "war" and they should be monitored by school staff.
folkin' around.
King For A Couple Of Days
folkin' around.
Age: -
Gender: Female
Posts: 3243
January 23rd, 2008 at 06:02pm
I've been to two high schools, and they've both had recruiters.

At my current high school, they've also had college recruiters set up, too.

I think it's fine. They aren't forcing the kids to look at the brochures, nor making them join the army.
I know for the free stuff they give out it's kind of like luring them with a happy meal , but again, they aren't forcing them to join.

Besides, some teens think it's their "patriotic duty" to serve in the army.
If they want to, let them. And if the recruiters at the school persuade them even more, so be it.
Kurtni
Admin
Kurtni
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Posts: 34289

Mibba Blog
January 24th, 2008 at 02:20pm
Military recrutiing and fraudulent military advertising aren't the same thing. Unfortunetly, they seem to be in alot of recruitment programs today.
Angelic Fruitcake
Falling In Love With The Board
Angelic Fruitcake
Age: 33
Gender: Female
Posts: 6362
January 28th, 2008 at 03:11pm
For all I know, the military don't exactly do that here.
However, we have people from the army coming in and giving presentations about the army and what it involves.
It doesn't force kids to join, it gives them the option, and doesn't give them any false ideas about what it's all about.
I guess what happens in American schools is a little different, but I reckon kids need to educated on this sort of stuff.
Persuading them to join when they're unwilling and 'recruiting' kids is another plane entirely.
Ol' Blue Eyes.
King For A Couple Of Days
Ol' Blue Eyes.
Age: 35
Gender: Female
Posts: 4816

Mibba
January 28th, 2008 at 08:48pm
I don't really have an issue with it, as long as they aren't presenting blatant lies as truth, or badgering kids.
Anji
Basket Case
Anji
Age: 34
Gender: Female
Posts: 15914

Blog
January 29th, 2008 at 08:07am
At least it's not mandatory like it is here.
syco-cheechoo2
Shoot Me, I'm A Newbie
syco-cheechoo2
Age: -
Gender: -
Posts: 98

Blog
February 3rd, 2008 at 12:07am
My school gets recruiters from every branch of the military all the time. Right in front of the cafeteria, and a number of my friends and family have joined. Even still I have no problem with it what so ever. Its not like they're pressing a gun to the kids heads and saying" Join or die!". The kids are making this descision themselves. Might be abit influence but none the less its by themselves.
Register