It’s Essential: Equal Access For Military Recruiters

By JOHN A. PANNETON, National President

Newspapers across the country are reporting the symptoms of a looming crisis for our nation frighteningly akin to the national malignancy that afflicted the United States during and after the Vietnam War. Disenchanted with the Vietnam conflict, many Americans turned their backs on the military. Congress followed suit, reducing funding and helping to create the “hollow” forces of the 1970s.

Today, we are far from that point. The services generally enjoy broad public support across political, ethnic and economic lines. But the signs of impending change are worrisome.

In Seattle, the Garfield High School Parent Teacher Student Association tried to ban military recruiters from its campus, The Christian Science Monitor reported, and the Seattle school board voted in September to tighten the rules of the road for recruiters. In New York City, “counter-recruiters” try to discourage high school seniors from joining the military, USA Today reported.

In Congress, approximately 65 House members are co-sponsors of legislation that would, in effect, end the federal requirement that high schools provide military recruiters with contact information about juniors and seniors. And across the nation, local groups including many parent-teacher associations (PTAs) are instructing students and parents about how to opt out of the student lists provided to recruiters, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

Many involved in antimilitary efforts are well-intentioned individuals who are turned off by the war in Iraq. Others are going beyond political debate by attempting to demonize military recruiters and others in uniform.

Seattle School Board member Darlene Flynn was quoted by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer as saying rules for recruiters were changed because “it’s not okay to come in and lie to our kids.” The Christian Science Monitor reported some counter-recruiters make outrageous claims that stir up fear, such as the assertion that data gathered from schools would be used to reinstate the draft, which is totally unfounded.

National emergencies such as the attacks of 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina underscore the need for a strong, diverse military that enjoys public support. To maintain that force, the services must recruit approximately 200,000 young people each year, with another 150,000 joining the reserves or National Guard.

Military recruiters must be able to present their case forthrightly to the nation’s youth in a non-hostile environment. Congress should support the “No Child Left Behind” law that makes student contact information available to recruiters unless students opt out. Local high schools should offer equal access at job fairs and career days to recruiters from the military, colleges and industry. School administrators, teachers and PTAs that would eliminate the military option are being unfair to their own students. We believe students and their parents can weigh the options and make the right choices.

All should remember that military service and continued education are not mutually exclusive career paths. Thousands of servicemen and women go to college or technical school while serving their country, thanks to a variety of military educational programs.

Few students and parents are getting the full story about the tremendous opportunities available from the services. It’s a story the Navy League should tell. I ask each Navy League Council to support its local recruiting commands by telling members of Congress, school administrators and parent groups about military service, reminding all that today’s military is a totally volunteer force. Communications tools are available on our website and in the December issue of the Navy Leaguer.

The Navy League promotes a strong national defense in part to protect the cherished freedoms of every American, including the freedom of choice and the freedom to be fully informed about service to our country.

Semper Fidelis.

I want to hear from you about the Navy League. Contact me at jpanneton@navyleague.org or by mail at 2300 Wilson Blvd., Suite 200, Arlington, VA 22201-3308.