Article source for : Learning Not Recruiting, from the NWOPC
The Northwest Ohio Peace Coalition handed out literature at the Rec Center during the fair this summer across from the military recruiters. They had some interesting pamphlets and were easy to talk to and informative. One pamphlet I thought was worth reading regardless of where you are in life is below.
And it's always nice to hear more than one side to any story/sales pitch.
http://www.orgsites.com/oh/nwopc/_pgg3.php3
*10 Excellent Reasons Not To Join The Military*
1. You May Be Killed.
2. You may kill others who do not deserve to die.
3.You may be injured.
4. You may not receive proper medical care.
5. You may suffer long-term health problems.
6. You may be lied to.
7. You may face discrimination.
8. You may be asked to do things against your beliefs.
9. You may find it difficult to leave the military.
10. You have other choices.
*Questions Recruiters Don't Want You To Ask...*
Military recruiters glorify war-then sell it to you like cigarette pushers, military recruiters will say anything to get you hooked. Here are some questions you can ask a recruiter the next time you're stopped.
Money for college?
Why do 57% of recruits who pay the required $1,200 into the Montgomery GI Bill never get a dime in return?
Job Skills? Why do veterans earn less than similar non veterans? Why are veterans imprisoned more often? Why are 1/3 of all homeless people veterans? Why is the unemployment rate for veterans more than 3 times higher than others?
Volunteerism? If I were truly a "volunteer" in the military, why couldn't I "unvolunteer" if I disliked what I was doing or found it to be immoral?
Testing? Why do recruiters call the ASVAB test a "career test" when your bosses at the Pentagon call it "the only aptitude test authorized for determining eligibility"?
Discipline? How does getting yelled at and ordered around provide self-discipline.
*More Questions*
Opportunity? The opportunity to be harassed? Discriminated against? Kicked out or persecuted for having sex? Why do people of color represent 1/3 of enlisted personnel but only 1/8 of the officers? Why do 90% of women in the military report being sexually harassed? Why are 1/3 of those women raped?
Adventure? Is dropping bombs really an "adventure"? Can you take me on a tour of a VA hospital so I can see the wounded service people who are there and ask them about their adventure"
Privacy? Why has the Pentagon invaded my privacy by creating the JAMRS database, stating "arguably the largest repository of 16 - 25 year old youth data in the country, containing roughly 3o million records"? Why do you need to ask schools personal student info when JAMRS gives you much more of a profile on me? Why do recruiters continue to call young people endlessly when told there is no interest in what you offer? As a recruiter, how many times do you hear "no" and keep calling or try to go to the "prospects" home?
YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW THE ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS TO PROTECT YOURSELF
(and a note to NWOPC, check your spelling on your site. It might distract from the message.)
