Military recruiters face resistance from Young anti-war activists
/ The military spends about $3 billion
each year to convince young people that enlistment will give them
college money, job training and an alternative to working at
McDonald's. In the wake of the growing conflict in Iraq, which has
resulted in over a thousand U.S. casualties, the military has become
more aggressive in scouting out high school students willing and able
to serve. In many New York City public schools that are predominantly
Black and Latino, military recruiters are a heavy presence, promising
young people financial security and a fulfilling career. Recruiters
roam the halls, set up tables and even pull students out of class. But
in recent months, a group of teenagers and anti-war veterans have been
canvassing the neighborhoods where the recruiters frequent, hoping to
convince students to consider other options. ''We've heard everything
up to and including having a desk in the guidance counselor's office,''
said Amy Wagner of Youth Activists-Youth Allies (YaYas), a group that
focuses on counter-recruitment. ''When the kid comes in to talk to the
counselor about college, before the kid can get there, they've got
somebody in their face saying, 'You want to go to college? How are you
going to pay for college?'''The YaYas, staffed almost entirely by high
school students of color, work to make sure young people avoid falling
into military service because it seems like the only option for
advancement.
- Two-thirds of recruits don't get any college money, according to the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors.
- Most people in the military do not have time to attend college while in the service.
- To qualify for college money recruits have to pay $100 per month for a year.
- The unemployment rate for veterans is three times higher than the national average.
- People who sign up with the Delayed Entry Program are told they can't change their minds, but getting out is as simple as writing a letter. The enlistment contract is for eight years.There are other ways to finance college, like federal financial aid, private scholarships, going to community college or joining AmeriCorps. [more]
- Military Recruiting Sparks a Protest at Career Fair [more]
