Meet "The Junior Reserve"
Ten percent of Chicago's public high school students, some as young as 14 years old, wear a military uniform to school every day and take classes -- including firearms training -- from veterans.
posted by The Cunning Realist at Wednesday, November 28, 2007
11 Comments:
I agree with one of the people quoted that it would be good to teach discipline and leadership without making the kids put on a military uniform.
I can see how a program like this can help kids by giving them structure and teaching them discipline. But I am concerned about the militarization of our culture in general, and I don't think this helps.
Our society gets more like a science fiction novel by the day.
Child soldiers.
Now where have I heard that before?
TCR, here is a post you may enjoy:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/fashion/25costco.html?em&ex=1196398800&en=b7ff55c1dba359af&ei=5087%0A
Yes, let's take those kids out of their chaotic, gang-ridden neighborhoods and induct them in the finer details of weapon handling, uniforms, and placing the good of the group over one's personal safety! Because gangs are BAD, while child soldiers are... uh...
(Okay, I'm going to Gitmo, but then, all the best Americans will be there!) -- Anne Laurie
Yes, Yes, Yes!!! You are all so right! Having children that are a whole 3 years younger than the age at which you can enlist in the military wear uniforms and learn disipline is insane!
Plus, these "child soldiers" are Hitler Youth! This whole "exposure to the military" thing is deforming their minds!
Finally, the military is no different than the Bloods or the Crips.
But, I'm sure you all completely support the troops in Iraq. Don't you?
Pretty devious. They probably knew the lure of some structure and discipline might appeal to some of these kids looking to better themselves. And if they can be turned into future canon fodder for USA Inc., then so much the better. I'd like to think though, that maybe most of these kids are smarter than they think. And when the kids hear the inevitable "so you think you might want to enlist?", they'll respond with an emphatic "SHIT NO".
We have a choice folks. We can have a free underclass with the associated violence; or a violence free society protected by layers of police. Most of the Americhristians prefer to give up freedom for safety. After all, we want to be safe for the return of the Man.
Why do American kids shows regularly have 'good guys' and 'evil guys that need to be vanquished'? What's happening to our kids. I'm turning it off.
Umm, we live in a Republic in which we entrust to our elected officials the monopoly of violence. To compare the military (even a high school ROTC program) to street gangs or the Hitler Youth is offensive. If you don't like where and how America fights wars, fine but blame the voters who put our political leaders in office, not the military.
Beyond that, no child is forced to go to military school, their parents choose to send them there. Its pretty condescending to presume you know what's better for a child than his own parents.
Exactly...just ask the parents of the Hitler Youth. LOL..it just highlight how corrupt our culture has become.
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