I was away the past few days visiting family in Vermont. Two of my cousins are younger and in high school. They were talking about the army recruiter always pressuring kids to join the army. I was appalled! I had seen a movie a few years back about how the army specifically targets poor towns and kids who they think are "easy targets".
I'm very upset about this. Like most people I know, I went to a high school where if you were interested in going to college or something alternative you went to see the guidance counselor and they discussed your interests and qualifications. If you were interested in let's say the army or a particular college or field the guidance counselor would then set up an interview.
To be clear I wouldn't want high schoolers to be recruited during school by college recruits either. Kids need to make their own decisions. I agree they need help along the way but I just feel that it is extremely inappropriate for the army to be targeting kids while in school.
The most upsetting part of all of this is that Vermont is a state with the most people in our Country who have died in the war...I can't help but think it's because so many kids are being aggressively recruited. They're told the perks about the army (paying for an education, traveling etc) and not necessarily all the truths.
I remember hearing a story about Jessica Lynch and how she joined because she has "always wanted to see a beach".
I support all of our troops regardless of how they joined but I just want the recruiters to be less aggressive. They need to keep out of schools unless they are invited. I want to do something about this. I want kids to be able to make informed decisions about their choices. What can be done?
I'm very upset about this. Like most people I know, I went to a high school where if you were interested in going to college or something alternative you went to see the guidance counselor and they discussed your interests and qualifications. If you were interested in let's say the army or a particular college or field the guidance counselor would then set up an interview.
To be clear I wouldn't want high schoolers to be recruited during school by college recruits either. Kids need to make their own decisions. I agree they need help along the way but I just feel that it is extremely inappropriate for the army to be targeting kids while in school.
The most upsetting part of all of this is that Vermont is a state with the most people in our Country who have died in the war...I can't help but think it's because so many kids are being aggressively recruited. They're told the perks about the army (paying for an education, traveling etc) and not necessarily all the truths.
I remember hearing a story about Jessica Lynch and how she joined because she has "always wanted to see a beach".
I support all of our troops regardless of how they joined but I just want the recruiters to be less aggressive. They need to keep out of schools unless they are invited. I want to do something about this. I want kids to be able to make informed decisions about their choices. What can be done?