Go Read this Mil-Related Post on CE&P

[Dumbledork]

I'm just baffled by it.

I disagree with trying to recruit middle-schoolers, but I don't think trying to recruit = brainwashing like some of the posters seem to think. There's just a theme of general disrespect for the military throughout the thread. It seems like some think that no half-intelligent person would ever actually sign up for the military, so of course the poor are only joining because they don't understand what they're getting into.

Also, we should just post sign-up sheets around the country. Then you can sign-up to fight for the causes you actually believe in enough to die for. But just those causes. You can sign-up to fight against blood diamonds while your friend decides to fight against bsc dictators.

Some fun snippets...

"Yes, lose the weight and be healthy so we can send you off to die!"

"I am severely squicked out at the idea of brainwashing the uber-low classes into working hard to be cannon fodder. That is some China style bullshit."

"...we want to brainwash them into giving up even the simple right to decide what causes they're willing to die for?"

"How about just, you know, not engaging in any military conflicts that the citizens don't believe in enough to volunteer?"

"And of course there are benefits to being in the military, if you survive."

pandce.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=44434

[Dumbledork]

I know she's a reg, but I guess I've just never read anything from her on this. Her stance just seems so... juvenile and "why can't we all just get along."

I also got the anti-mil vibe from lhc, which surprised me. I usually like her and can see her side of an argument that I oppose, like the homework thing, but I just don't get this.

We had recruiters in our hs and some even took over PE classes for a day, but I don't think they were "whispering how awesome the Army is" in anyone's ears. If they were, they didn't do a very good job convincing anyone. I can only think of a handful of people that ended up joining, and I'm from a low-middle class area.

[basilosaurus]

I don't think the army should be in middle schools, either, and it has nothing to do with being anti-military. Kuus has always been like that, and it's really not worth engaging on. I think LHC isn't anti-military so much as anti-recruitment policies, and you have to admit they have been pretty awful in the past.

It pisses me off that apparently we should only invest in reducing obesity because of how it impacts the military. How about taking some of that army budget and reallocating it to actual health programs? A healthier population for everyone should be the goal, with improved recruitment a value added bonus. Surely more than just the army would benefit from targeting childhood obesity. That's what rubs me the wrong way about this plan.

[basilosaurus]

I'm not disagreeing, stan. I didn't participate at all in that thread b/c of that. We all know I'm not a military cheerleader, but I don't like to engage the automatic haters, either.

[meltoine]

I kind of LOLed at whole part about recruiters and college reps. The gist seemed to be that recruiters will only tell you the great things about the military and even outright lie, while college reps are totally honest and forthcoming.

How many college reps are going to tell a lower-middle class kid that they'll graduate $80K in debt and not be able to find a job that pays more than $30K/year? Because college reps never inflate the number of kids who get financial aid and how much aid they get.

As opposed to the horrible military that will give you a college education for free after only four years of service.

[amaristella]

Aug 15, 2012 20:29:12 GMT -5 meltoine said:

I kind of LOLed at whole part about recruiters and college reps. The gist seemed to be that recruiters will only tell you the great things about the military and even outright lie, while college reps are totally honest and forthcoming.

How many college reps are going to tell a lower-middle class kid that they'll graduate $80K in debt and not be able to find a job that pays more than $30K/year? Because college reps never inflate the number of kids who get financial aid and how much aid they get.

As opposed to the horrible military that will give you a college education for free after only four years of service.

I'm glad that you brought that up because I never thought about it that way before, but I really agree.

But then I'm also of the opinion that too many immature 18 year olds are pushed to start college (traditional 4 year degree programs) before they're mature enough to succeed. Graduating from college with loans to repay is one thing. Dropping out of college with loans to repay isn't helpful to anyone.

[bigmamma]

I can tell you RIGHT now there would be NO recruiting at the MS/El levels. I've worked with the accessions branch for YEARS and they are VERY strict on conversations regarding military service.

We are not allowed to discuss enlistment with anyone other than Jrs and UP.

NOW - if a kid has questions they can ASK THEM, but (and not to be stupid) but its kind of a Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. I the kids aren't asking about how to join the military you aren't supposed to be telling them.

Are there bad apples? Of course.

However - do Soldiers have nutritional/physical fitness training? Yes. Do kids look up to them? For the most part? Yes. Would it take any MAJOR funding to have people who are already on pay roll expand their duty description to leading PT once/twice a week at local MS?

its a great way to show how multifaceted our military members are and COMBAT the BULL SHIT reputation we get from asshats like those on that board.

[bigmamma]

+o(

I love that some of them spent an ENTIRE thread talking crap about the military then try to retract it to say "not all military"....