Before You Sign, Read Paragraph 9

One of the things I do is counter- recruitment. "What's that?" is a question I get a lot. At its most basic, CR is a counterpoint to the military's recuiters. But it's much much more than that. It's a movement that recognizes that the U.S.' "voluntary" military is one that is comprised disproportionately of poor kids, urban kids, rural kids, kids of color, kids who see few (or zero) other ways of achieving the "American Dream".

As a parent, one of the easiest things you should do is to sign and return your child's "Opt-Out" form by the deadline (generally the end of September). President Bush's No Child Left Behind act says that unless their parents opt-out, every high school in the U.S. MUST turn over the contact information for all students of junior or senior standing to the military. The military will then harass your child, (really, it is harassment) with telephone calls and home visits, until he or she signs on the dotted line. Military recruiters are the first used-car salesmen most of your kids will ever encounter. They say whatever they need to. They'll even put it "in writing" in the Enlistment Contract. Which seems like a great thing. "Hey, Mom, it's okay -- the recruiter said I'll never have to go to Iraq. I'll be stationed in Germany, and learn how to program computers." Uh-huh. Becha bottom dollar that your child's eyes will not be pointed toward the Enlistment Agreement's "Paragraph 9":

"Law and regulations that govern military personnel may change without notice to me. Such changes may affect my status, pay, allowances, benefits, and responsibilities as a member of the Armed Forces REGARDLESS of the provisions of the enlistment/reenlistment document."

if you want more infor on counter-recruitment, check out United for Peace and Justice, the American Friends Service Committee's Youth & Militarism program, or, if you are in Colorado, contact the Counter Recruitment Information Network of Denver at crin.denver@gmail.com.

peace,
tigger grrl