Should military recruiters be allowed on public high school grounds?

[golfgal]

Way back in the ice age when I was in high school we had college and military recruiters coming to visit the schools. I think it is an excellent service they provide in helping kids learn about different options for post secondary education. I see nothing wrong with it at all. Those kids interested in joining the military, God bless them, would visit with them. Those of us that were not interested didn't.

 

[DawnCt1]

First of all, let me say my opinion is based on the few, and I mean few recruiters that I have met. The ones that I have met have came across as salesmen for the Armed Service plain and simple. They talked to both of our boys, and yes, the boys did not have to talk to them. I think at that time their school gave a list of students who were 18 and their phone numbers etc. Now I had a big problem with that. They did come out to the house a few times, but what they told our boys, was all the positive, and really did not answer any of their direct questions. So, no, I don't think they should be allowed on campus.

If your boys would make a career decision based on the recruiter's advice, it isn't the recruiter's fault. If they had additional questions, there are places to get the answers. They may have come across as "salesmen" because they believe in the Armed Services. It's what they do. I don't know why you would have a problem with the schools giving the names, ages and telephone numbers. They give them to colleges. By the time your DSs is 18 or 19, they have registered with the draft board. Not all kids are college material and they should have another option, perhaps one that they didn't think about initially.

 

[Mister Incredible]

It's the equal access law. If you let one in, you have to let them all in. So if you allow colleges or businesses in to "recruit" children you must allow the military as well.

If they are not in your school, they can still get access to your childs name, address and phone number.

All schools have an opt-out policy. You can sign a form so the school will not give out any of your childs info.

 

[DVC-Don]

I remember military recruiters in my high school back during the Viet Nam War. I talked with the Navy & Coast Guard and even took some tests, but did not join up.

 

[chrissyk]

No, I don't believe that this should be allowed on public high school grounds. I've read too many stories about students being promised great things by these recruiters, only to sign up and find out that none of it was true I think that if a student himself/herself decided to seek out a recruiter, then fine. However, meeting "quotas" through recruiting unsuspecting kids IN school is not OK with me.

FWIW, I don't remember if we had military recruiters at my high school college/career fair type things. I went to a private high school, though, so we very well might have had them there. That doesn't bother me one way or the other. It bothers me if they are recruiting at PUBLIC schools, which are funded by my taxpayer dollars.

 

[experiment626mom]

We have all ways had recruiters in our public schools. I spoke with many of them when I was in high school and really wanted to join the Navy. My mom was against and so I never followed up.

Flash forward to way too many years later. My stepson who will not be going to college, has spoken to the recruiters and has found another way to get educated. He is seriously looking into joining the military. If it weren't for the recruiters, I don't think this young man would have considered this as an option and would have gone from meaningless job to meaningless job. Am I worried about him doing this?? Absolutely, but I am also proud of the fact that he will be doing something for himself to become a better person.

 

[LvsTnk]

Oh My they were after my son big time!! He went to a small Catholic high school where they were allowed access to most of the school. He worked in the office one period a day and saw them comming. He burried his head on one of the secreteries shoulders and said "hide me" while she laughed and said "you goof your name is on the back of your football jersey".

They were over the top, calling the house and such. Two of the boys that graduated with my son got big time money from the Navy and Army for school. You have to put the time in of course.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Sure they do have a right to be there, but I do not like their tactics. They lie and make promises they can not keep - I feel they prey on young and uninformed. Locally, we have a peace/religious group which will go in at the same time to counter their actions - I think that is the fairest way - to present both sides. This is huge decision for a young person and should not be made based on just one side - again, given the tactics they will use.

Also, they have a right to contact your child through the mail, etc. YOU have a RIGHT to opt your child out of this. You can find out how through the "leave my child out" campaign at Working for Change or Working Assets - there are other campaigns as well - you just have to google it.

 

[Kylie's Mommy]

Nope, doesn't bother me. The recruiters used to come to my public high school. I even looked over some of their things just to see what it was about. I knew it wasn't for me and that was that. If my children have a recruiter at their school it won't bother me either. I figure that they don't have to join the military just because a recruiter is there. It never hurts to see what their options are after high school.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

Now that you remind me, I was hounded a lot in high school, too--by colleges! Nothing like being poor, female, with really high test scores and very strong math and science skills to make the recruiters salivate! I didn't get the military quite so much, because I was so clearly college material. This was also ~1980, when everyone was trying to "up" their female enrollment. I was never offended, even by the women's liberal arts colleges (I knew engineering was the way I was going). My point is, what's wrong with considering options? Even if it confirms the choices you've made, it's always good to at least think through the possibilities.

 

[Michie]

If your boys would make a career decision based on the recruiter's advice, it isn't the recruiter's fault. If they had additional questions, there are places to get the answers. They may have come across as "salesmen" because they believe in the Armed Services. It's what they do. I don't know why you would have a problem with the schools giving the names, ages and telephone numbers. They give them to colleges. By the time your DSs is 18 or 19, they have registered with the draft board. Not all kids are college material and they should have another option, perhaps one that they didn't think about initially.

I think it was the Air Force, might be wrong about that,that was speaking to both of my sons. At the time they were talking to both of our sons, they had already signed letters of intent with colleges Both of my boys told both of the recruiters that were not being given the answers they wanted, and that they were not interested. It was just last week, one of them stopped by our house looking for the eldest, thinking he might be on fall break.

 

[MELSMICE]

Sure they do have a right to be there, but I do not like their tactics. They lie and make promises they can not keep - I feel they prey on young and uninformed.

I take a little offense to that comment. My brother does not lie or make promises that can't be kept - he tells it like it is. He has told stories to us about basic training that he also relays to his recruits so they are well informed. They are not glamorous stories at all.

Parents & recruits have written letters to his commanding officers telling them that they were so much better prepared in what to expect than some of the other recruits.

He tells them that he is still going to school to earn his degree, even after being in the Air Force for 14 years. But................he also tells them of the postiives & how if they really don't have a direction this could be an option for them.

BTW - to the person that mentioned they are sales people - you're right. They do go to sales training classes. They are trying to sell their company to get "employees to work there" in all reality.

Okay - I'll step off my soapbox now!

 

[caitycaity]

i don't have a problem with it at all. colleges are allowed (generally) to recruit on high school campuses. the military should be too.

 

[cardaway]

Because of the "salesman" they have become, I'm on the fence.

Like others have said, their tactics have become very shady, and unless they are more closely monitored, or the paperwork gets more straight forward, I'm going to have to say no.

I'm all for it otherwise. Correct the problems and I say go for it.

 

[palmtreegirl]

I don't have a problem with it.

 

[malibuconlee]

We had them at our school too. They administered the ASVAB test at school as well.

I don't have any problem with them being there.

Oh, and the younger Marine? He was given extra time to be at home with his family in exchange for his services helping the recruiter. Happens all the time.

 

[pansmermaidzlagoon]

Melsmice:

my intent was not to offend anyone personally, but to inform. It does happen. I am very glad to hear your family member is one of the honest ones! I totally applaud that and if they were all that way there would be no problem. As in all things, it is not a 100% given, but we are seeing more and more of it - and if it happens at all, parents have right to protect their kids from it and I believe it is totally appropriate to have peace/religious groups there to counter it. An above board recruiter should have nothing to worry about - and therefore, no problem with their presence!

 

[jonestavern]

I don't have a problem with it as long as other companies are given the same opportunity.

My thoughts exactly.

I am from a military family. Dad is a decorated career man & fought in 2 wars.

I can only speak regarding the school system here. As for our school system, I do not approve of the repeated, required attendance; assemblies with the band playing music, the real 'push', in other words. I feel it smacks of 'grooming. I do realize it is done differently in other towns. Could it be different here due to our town's poor economics & the fact that the armed services are perceived, rightly or wrongly, as a way out of poverty?
Yes, the military can be a fine honorable profession. It does teach teamwork & a fine self discipline, which so much of today's youth lack. I also realize that dashing uniforms, dress swords, witchin'(intentional typo here) weaponry make an overwheming impression--heck, it still impresses me--, especially on the high school ages.
May I say it also is troubling that many families who are 'well off' scoff at military service?
I loathe the fact the high schools sell/give out the kids names to credit companies & the armed services'. I'd like to see a service fair situation here with equal focus placed upon Peace Corps, civil service & other public service opportunities.
I feel my son was groomed pretty much since grade 9. Even at that age they are invited to the various reserve functions & phoned at home & sent mailings. If he wants to join that is his decision. I most adamantly feel he needs a little more information--to which he's had long talks with DGrandad & his fellow service retirees--to get the full picture, not a lot of mandatory snappy uniforms, marching music & free frisbees & sitting in Blackhawks--

Jean

 

[CapeCodTenor]

I don't see anything wrong with it. The military is a great way for some people to figure out what they want out of life.

 

[JennyMominRI]

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I'm just wondering. My DH said that it wouldn't bother him when he was in high school, but he's biased.. he went to a military school! But when he was in public high school for a short time, that would not have bothered him he said.

I understand there is a need for military recruitement and that enrollment numbers are down. I am wondering why the recruitment officers were actually in the school itself, and why the Marine was walking around with the students, trying to be thier friend.

This is exactly how I was recruited into the Marines.The recruiters came to my school in Salem NH..I was a Junior and joined the Delayed Entry Program. I have no problems with this. Of ciurse,I'd be proud if one of my kids followed in my footsteps