Predators in the High Schools
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| Sat, 09-30-2006 - 7:32am |
With school just getting started I wanted to remind parents that the "No Child Left Behind Act" requires schools to release the private information of students, including home address and telephone number, to military recruiters unless the school has received an "opt out" form from the parents. There is a deadline, so act on this soon. You can get the opt out from from your school or google it and you can find it on the web. If your school did not notify you of your option to opt out this is a violation of federal law and you should contact your local school board and demand a notification be sent to all parents.
Beware, the Army has increased the number of recruiters by 2,000 this year and is offering signing bonuses of up to $40,000 in order to entice your kids to join and they are targeting kids as young as 16 years old. Last year they hired a company known for it's success in marketing t-shirts and cds' to kids to help in their recruiting efforts. Recruiters are not known for being ethical. If your child has decided to join the military, make sure he gets all the promises made to him in writing and have an attorney look it over before he signs the final paperwork.
If your child signed up for delayed enlistment, they probably told him he had entered into a binding legal contract, that is not true and he can feel free to change his mind at any time and considering the worsening situation in Iraq and Afghanistan he may want to reconsider.
If your child is dead set on joining the military you would do well to have him join either the Air Force or Navy. They have higher standards that he would have to meet and he won't get the big bonus, but he probably won't die in the desert.
You can help stop the war by helping reduce the number of kids joining the Army. There is no way they will bring back the draft, and without new blood they'll have to throw in the towel.

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The choice of the word "predator" is unfortunate, but your point is well-taken. Whether or not someone supports the war, or wants their child to enlist, it has been well-documented that there are unethical recruiting techniques being used, that military in Iraq and other places are not well supplied, and that people are being kept overseas and/or enlisted for much longer than they had originally believed. These are facts. If you have a child in the military, you should be aware of the reality. How you cope with it is up to you, but it is a reality.
I am very sympathetic to families who have loved ones overseas, and I am grateful to live in a well-protected country. But I fear that our country is moving in a very dangerous direction, and one that will not end anytime soon. Not only is my teen daughter at risk of being drafted if that came about, I'm also fearful that my 7 year old son will be enlisted with no choice.
I think parents of high schoolers need to be aware that this is the policy and should also teach their children to be cautious of recruiting techniques. Salesmen are salesmen and be the product a used car or military service, 'let the buyer beware' is always good advice.
And, yes, I agree-the choice of the word 'predator' and, frankly, the last two paragraphs of the OP weren't necessary to inform parents new to high school about the policy
the u.s. military is protecting my right of free speech??? protecting it from whom? the only threat i've felt towards my right to free speech has come from the u.s. government.
as for the use of the word predator...i stand by it and feel the use of that word is supported by the well documented tactics of military recruiters. i think the number of recruits under the age of 21 and the social and economic demographics of those targeted for recruitment support the charge as well.
Not even going to bite on the whole "what rights" question this time - did that debate a year ago, not going to do it again.
It's so, to have you back.
With a message title like that I was hoping for something really juicy, not the same stuff you posted before!
I really doubt the US military will "throw in the towel" anytime soon based on recruitment levels from your grass roots protest.
Instead, perhaps you could focus on the illegal and deceptive recruitment practices of colleges in our high schools. You know, they target our empty headed and unsuspecting teens and tell them anything to get them to sign up….
Hey daddioe, long time no see!!
daddioe,
i wouldn't be suprised if college recruiters were just as sleazy as the military recruiters.
of course you can always change your mind and go to another college. not so easy to change your mind once your in the military and go take another job. and of course you are much less likely to be blown away by an ied in college.
Hi Rose!
Big bear hugs to you and your family.
I didn't realize you are a CL for parents of kids in the military. You're perfect for the job.
It seems we both have that last DD getting through the teen years. You're turning out a fine young lady, and mine continues to amaze me.
Weenie boy is finally certified history. She learned some painful mistakes along that road and made some good decisions around it. There were many times I wanted to interfere and make the young lad sing soprano but what's an old daddio to do but let her grow on her own. She's 16, a junior, works part time at a hobby/game store, does synchronized swimming, and does dance twice a week. Got her letter jacket this fall. (Our first jock..LOL)
She's failed her drivers test TWICE.. Next one scheduled in two weeks. OMG...That’s a whole other story…
She's cooled her heels on the boys lately. But we know that could change tomorrow.
So...you've got your own version of weenie boy to contend with? What's up with that?
For the most part, I really did enjoy my boys when they were 15. It’s such a challenge when everything you say is utterly and ridiculously stupid. It’s like being on a game show and the prize goes to the parent who can make the first comment without the kids giving the eye roll and pathetic shake of the head.
If he's anything like mine were, I’m sure your visiting weenie boy is the very flowering essence of charm and poise…..*cough.*
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