The USA Today reports the U.S. Marine Corps is expanding a network of military academies but are being accused that it's a recruiting ploy. Every student wears a uniform, participates in Junior ROTC (Reserve Officers Training Corps) and takes military classes. Over 12 public military academies have already opened nationwide. Congress passed a bill in 2008 that included increasing the number of Junior ROTC units across the country from 3,400 to 3,700 in the next 11 years. All military branches are trying to increase their ROTC programs. Protests by parents are expected. More students from military academies end up joining the military after graduation. Between 5% and 10% of graduating seniors from public military schools end up enlisting; whereas only 3% of all regular high school graduates join the military. Proponents say the academies aren't recruiting tools but focus on discipline, ethics and civics, giving at-risk teens a place where they can flourish. Chicago, home of current Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, has five public military academies and is the only district with schools representing all four branches of the military. Duncan sees the schools as another option for kids who don't fit well in a traditional educational setting. Students at the public military schools in Chicago have struggled. Chicago's military schools did reduce chronic truancy from 24% to 8.5% from 2007 to 2008 and increased the average ACT exam score from 15.8 to 17.3, out of a possible 36.
In March 2009, Master Sergeant Cindy Loraas visited with the Mandan School District’s Curriculum Committee about starting an Army Junior ROTC program in the District. Ms. Loraas stressed the program would not involve combat and there would be no obligation to enroll in the military after completing the course. Other points the committee was asked to consider were; the army would provide 100% of the funding for Class A uniforms, BDUs/ACUs and will provide part funding for other aspects of the class, the program would be an elective class which could be taken all four years of the high school on a levels system, the class would require one 2-hour block or two 1-hour blocks of time each week, there would be possibilities for ROTC Scholarships for students taking the class as well as advanced ranking for ROTC students who continue in the military. Ms. Loraas relayed to the group that some negative responses should be expected from parents because of the military relationship, gaining access to student records, and allowing the ASVAB test, but generally the Junior ROTC programs are well-received in the Midwest. The committee agreed the Mandan high school principal should begin developing information to alleviate parental anxieties about allowing their students to participate. The MPS Curriculum Committee voted unanimously to recommend to the school board that the Army Junior ROTC program begin at Mandan High School.
Would you want/allow your child to enroll in a Junior ROTC program? Do you think ROTC programs belong on public high school campuses?
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My first reaction to this was "of course these are recuiting tools" and my second reaction was "so what?" This doesn't bother me in the least, even if it is an overt recruiting tool for several reasons. First, programs such as this could have a tremendous effect on students who might do well but have a lack of focus. I know they do because my wife's nephew just finished an ROTC program. He started as kid without a clue and no focus or direction and he ended as a very together, focused young gentleman. Programs like this are terrific for some kids. Second, our schools have programs that teach kids any number of skills or professions from accounting to welding. While they are not sponsored by the businesses in question they certainly are training for those professions and have a place in our schools. Why would we not extend the same benefit to kids who might like to join the military? Are we saying those jobs are socially more acceptable or more ethical? If we object to ROTC programs in our schools when we enthusiastically offer training in other, I believe we make a judgment about military service. That it is somehow bad or unjust and I think that constitutes a horrible and unjust insult to one of the most honorable careers out there. Third, if we don't offer an ROTC program we remove a career choice that may suit some students far better than others and possibly negatively effect them for a long time. My cousin is an example. He had trouble in school. By his own admission he was not cut out for college and he faced a future that wasn't to bright. So he joined the military. He stayed in 20 years and retired with a pretty decent paycheck when he was just under 40 years old. He now collects his military pension and works at an airport making decent money by using the skills he learned in the military. He has said that without the military based on the way he was going he might not even be alive today and instead he is leading a wonderful life. Finally, the story makes it plain this is a voluntary program and there are no obilgations what so ever afterwards. The student can be a part of the program, enjoy the benefits, "test drive" a military career to see if it suits him and then just walk away of he wants. It's a great example of freedom of choice.
ReplyDeleteI see no harm in the program and I see a lot of potential good. I wouldn't only alow it in a school if I made the decision, i would support it whole heartedly.
Junior ROTC certainly can have a place in the high school setting as long as it remains an elective.We definitely need young people who have a desire to serve our country. ROTC can provide them an opportunity to eventually enter the military service being much more informed.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to military recruiters in our schools, I sometimes become a bit disturbed with the recruiting tactics.
One recruiter had a sign up to play paintball. I couldn't help but think that this is an attempt to play war. The problem is that war is not a game and nothing like paintball. Other recruiters make dogtags for students, etc. It just seems so superficial in its attempt to get kids to sign up. And let's remember they are kids.
The military service has done wonderful things for many young people. I think that ROTC programs can provide a much more in-depth understanding of what it means to sign-up.
I think this could be a great program but not sure if I agree with public funding for these schools. The ROTC program in these schools gives students who may be struggling with life in general, not just school, a direction. It provides them with focus, discipline and strength. While a higher number of students from these schools end up enlisting after graduation, that is not a bad thing. Our military is stretched thin and needs good candidates. Another benefit of the program is they enter as officers rather than privates. If they choose to enlist and stay in the military as a career, they receive some great benefits. If they decide to go to college, at a minimum, they have been provided with structure and discipline that will not only help them survive in college, but in life. Nobody is forcing these kids to attend these high schools, they still have a choice.
ReplyDeletePersonally, being a former Marine, I believe Military Academies and Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) Programs would be a wonderful opportunity for students. In fact, I always considered starting an academy of sorts in the State of North Dakota. In my opinion, we have a fair amount of students, not necessarily at-risk, that lack guidance, discipline and leadership in the home. The fact that our schools are now incorporating programs like character counts, etiquette and parenting classes is a strong sign of the times. I have taken notice over the years that many family structures are no longer able, capable and/or willing to instill the morals, values and discipline necessary to excel in the classroom or lead in society. I believe we are already calling on the public school to do much of what used to be taught in the home, having a Military Academy or Junior ROTC Program in place will only expand the schools electives and allow students more opportunities for credit. I also firmly believe that these courses will promote better citizenship from our students, the same individuals who will one day take leadership positions in our communities.
ReplyDeleteI think having schools incorporate a ROTC program would be a good thing. Schools are a place for young people to try and find an industry or area of expertise that interests them. For example, I was very interested in art growing up; this was mostly due to the fact that Hazen has a strong art class. Students are introduced at a young age and the option of taking it for credit is available for students once they in 6th grade. Shop class is another great example. Some students have a passion for cars or wood working, shop allows for students to gain a interest. I know their is a lot of controversy on the military and its place in the schools, but I think that if you have students that have a passion for the military, why wouldn't you have a class for them to take. I think this could be class that would be very beneficial for students to take. The military values responsibility and I think this could help many of our young people.
ReplyDeleteI think that an JROTC program would be great. As long as it is an elective, I am not sure those "trouble" kids would willingly enroll in courses that stress discipline and civic responsibility but that is ok too. The values that would be taught would be beneficial to anyone who enrolled. As far as these program being a recruiting tool, why is that bad? I think that the military is an excellent option for some kids. As long as the program is optional and there is parental consent recruiting should be somewhat expected. I think the huge difference here is that it would be an optional class rather than a required one for some of those schools in Chicago.
ReplyDeleteI think that Red River High School in Grand Forks has an JROTC. Has anyone heard how thier program has impacted thier school? I would only guess that it has been positive because it has been around for a while.