Should military recruiters be allowed on public high school grounds?

[Cindy B]

This may become a debate, so I wanted to forewarn others.

I've recently begun working at a local high school. The other day, while I was in the lunchroom I noticed something.

A Marine and Army recruiter had thier own display and table out trying to get some signups! Of course, both recruiters were in full dress, so they definetely had the wow factor. (I don't think the marine had his sword though.. weapon in school!).

They of course had brochures, bumper stickers, and the sign up form. The army recruiter stood back and waited for others to come to her.. yes a female recruiter.

However, the Marine was walking around the cafeteria shaking hands, and handing out promo items, like bumper stickers and such. THis recruiter sort of walked over to area where some of the students were hanging out. These studnets were the "different" ones so to speak, the ones that get in trouble, or had longer hair, and wore heavy metal Tshirts and rasta hats.. (I guess in my day, they would be the "stoners")

I know the Marine is doing his job. I understand he has quotas and demographics that are parameters with his job. However, I thought walking around to students was just a tad tacky.. The army recruiter was still doing her job, but wasn't as blatant about it I guess.

Now I remember in high school, the recruiters never came to the actual school, but they had a booth in the mall or at an outdoor festival or such. A large base was near my home at the time, so maybe the recruiters weren't that obvious because they had a "home field" advantage so to speak.

As a parent or student, how do you feel about the recruiters in your school or your childrens school? Does it bother you? Do these recruiters harass you?

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.

 

[MELSMICE]

I might have thought differently until my brother became an Air Force recruiter.

I don't see anything wrong with them going to the schools. There are many kids that don't have a clue as to what they are going to do with their future. They don't see themselves on the college route & don't have any idea what they are going to do after high school graduation. The military is an option & one they should have all the facts about. Unless they are 18 they can't sign up without parental permission. Also, they couldn't just sign up on the spot. There are tests & physicals they have to go through.

My brother was/is (he recruits nurses & dentists now) a recruuiter just like that Marine - handing out trinkets & talking to the kids like they were his equal, not his superior. You have no idea the number of compliments & letters he got from parents & enlistees about what a great job he did, how up front he was with the kids about what to expect, etc. There was even an article run in the local paper about him & what a great guy he was.

Many of those "stoners", as you call them - from public school & also from many fast food restaurants - enlisted & like I said, have since contacted my brother thanking him for changing their lives.

Remember, the kids don't have to talk to the recruiters, but I believe having the information there for some kids is a good idea. JMO!

 

[mtblujeans]

Well, both the military and the public schools are functioning through public/tax monies....

People in other countries are required to serve in their national military for a certain amount of time, up to a certain age....our people are given the option of signing up. I was raised in a military family....that may sway my thinking....but I don't see anything wrong with giving young people the option of joining a branch of the military out of high school. It would be no different than the sheriff or police recruiting in public schools.

 

[CJMickeyMouse]

Why not?

They have even brought the rock climbing wall for the kids to try at our school - I think they do that a couple of times a year now.

The military is a great option for some kids - I don't have a problem with them coming out to the high schools to recruit.

 

[Kermit]

We had military recruiters at my highschool all the time. I think there was at least one there every day at lunch. And they called us at home. I took that test they give for goverment service (ASBAV or something, I can't remember what the letters stand for), and after that the air force recruiter started calling me all the time. Apparently they get a bonus if they get anyone into the Air Force Academy, and he thought he could get me interested in going. I think you have to do a certain number of push-ups in some amount of time to get in, though, and I can't do any, so he was out of luck.

Anyway, I think it's fine. Highschool students need to figure out what they're going to do after graduation, and they need access to information to figure that out. We had a lady from a court reporting school talk to my typing class and a guy from one of those ITT Tech-type schools talk to some other class I was in. Most of the teachers and the guidance counselor pushed 4-year universities. I think it's good that students know that there are choices.

 

[Michie]

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.

 

[BrinxFam]

I don't see anything wrong with it. As someone said earlier giving kids the option doesn't mean they have to take it. Around here the military is a great way out for many young people. We live in a nice area but there is not alot of opportunity. DH was Air Force for a few years but things happened and that came to an end. Honestly, if we knew then what we know now we would still be an Air Force family.

 

[foolishmortal]

I agree with the other posters as well, without seeing what's out there some of these kids wouldn't take the time to find this option in life.

 

[paigevz]

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

 

[foolishmortal]

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

good point, and at lerast when I was in school there was career days, as well as college recruit days...so I would say they have equal access as well.

 

[Blueeyes101817]

they came to my high school all the time--i didnt think anything of it, never minded (it was a public hs)

 

[JPN4265]

I have absolutely no problem at all with the military coming to our schools. I think its a great idea.

 

[Puffy2]

During a career fair, yes they should be allowed. At other times, possibly not. I think parents need to be informed when "special visitors" are expected on campus, regardless of who they are (perhaps informed by a monthly newsletter that lists all events on a calendar).

 

[supercarrie]

At my high school we had both colleges/universities and military recruiters on campus quite often. If they are all given the same access, then I see no problem with it.

 

[jenm2878]

At my high school we had both colleges/universities and military recruiters on campus quite often. If they are all given the same access, then I see no problem with it.

Us too, and that was only 10 years ago. Actually, the recruiters came to school and we were allowed to take the day off and visit any college we wanted to. I think we were allowed 10 days to take off to college hunt. (not in a row of course!) Never thought about it but I think it's a good idea - some people would never go gather information on their own but would if it was readily available.

 

[momo3hods]

Absolutely, they should be allowed.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

No problem with it.

Your student can always "Just say no" if they are not interested.

 

[Marseeya]

I don't have a problem with it as long as they're allowing colleges or other types of recruiters on the school grounds.

I don't really like that they're going around and picking kids to talk to -- I think they should set up a booth and let the kids come to them. I honestly wouldn't want my son to be singled out because he has a certain "look" (he looks like a skateboarder). Because of his mental health issues, I doubt he could join the service anyway and I'd most definitely discourage it.

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I don't have a problem with it. It's likely the Marine was targeting kids who were less likely to go to college. You don't know if something he says to them makes the difference between them having a decent career and working at McD's for 10 years. The college prep kids are more likely to get direction, but all teens have potential. Now, if the Marine were being disruptive or pushy, I wouldn't be happy, but trying to put a human face on the military is a good thing, IMHO.

 

[Cindy B]

The only time I have seen these recruiters were during lunch. I don't see college recruiters at the cafeteria, however they are in a different part of the building (guidance office)

One OP made a point. I work with the special ed students in the high school. Most of them have that "look" so to say. I saw the recruiter come up to some of my special ed students, and they were awed. The recruiter was chatting with them, and they were so happy. Next period, they were still talking about this guy. Yes, it was positive. Yes, it was a career direction for these students that aren't college bound. (yes, they are seniors and have told me that they aren't going to college). However, I don't want these kids to be taken advantage of. I guess that is what bothered me.

I also have noticed in homeroom that we handed out forms from the guidance department. These forms were either to release your home info to the military or not. Since it is a public high school, the information is there. I have gotten many many many forms stating remove my name from the military list. There are very many of the forms which states no contact from the military at all.