Some high school students may be receiving a call from the
military, but it probably won’t be a call for the draft.
Some high school students may be receiving a call from the military, but it probably won’t be a call for the draft.
Thanks to a provision in a new education law, military recruiters will have access to key information about high school juniors and seniors.
The provision states that high schools are required to hand over names, addresses and telephone numbers of high school students to military recruiters.
San Benito High School has given addresses of students to military recruiters for the past 33 years, but has never provided telephone numbers.
“Students need the widest range of options. However, if the military has names for mailing they can certainly send all the information they want, then it’s up to the student to pursue,” SBHS Principal Karen Schroder said. “If they have phone numbers the military can pursue more aggressively. I hope they don’t misuse that. Some recruiters are like any other business or company. They can get real assertive.”
SBHS students and parents can keep their personal information from being turned over to the military when they receive the annual fall mailer next year. An “opt-out” form included in the packet gives students the right to withhold personal information from military recruiters.
High school officials are bound by confidentiality regulations to not give out personal information about its students except for the police and military or if a parent gives permission.
Duane Morgan, SBHS vice president of senior services, said the new laws will not necessarily influence high school students to join the military since recruiters are normally at the career center every week and the school has a strong ROTC presence.
Anzar High School has not sparked the interest of military recruiters, probably because of the small graduating classes, many of which go on to college, Site Manager Wayne Norton said.
“I think it’s always good for kids to have the broadest area of options,” Norton said. “For some kids the military is a good option. On the other hand, I don’t think it’s great to market to high school age kids. I don’t think high schools should have an open-marketed system. We wouldn’t have any insurance companies in here.”
The “No Child Left Behind” law, signed in January, pumps billions into education, but also provides military recruiters access to the names, addresses and telephone numbers of students in 22,000 schools. The law also states that schools must give the military the same access to their campuses that businesses and college recruiters enjoy.
School systems that fail to comply could lose federal money. The measure also applies to private schools receiving federal funding. But Quaker schools and others that have a religious objection to military service can get out of the requirement.
Pentagon officials said the information will help it recruit young people to defend their country.
Currently, 95 percent of the nation’s schools are in compliance, said Pentagon spokeswoman Maj. Sandra Troeber, who would not identify the other schools. But Education Department spokesman Dan Langan said the current focus is on cooperation and that no schools have been sanctioned.
Federal law already requires men to register with the Selective Service within 30 days of turning 18. The new law, however, enables the Pentagon to reach potential recruits when they are 15 or 16.
In a letter last month, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Education Secretary Rod Paige reminded high school administrators of their duty, and cited “the excellent educational opportunities the military affords, as well as an environment that encourages the development of strong character and leadership skills.”
The Pentagon said better access to students could also hold down the rising costs of recruitment. During the past decade, the cost per recruit has nearly doubled from $6,500 to $11,600.
Among those objecting to the new requirements is the New York City chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union. Executive director Donna Lieberman said that the opt-out provision is inadequate and that schools should be doing more to protect students’ privacy.
Army National Guard Sgt. Louis Perrin found hostility when he recruited at a school.
“One teacher said we were trying to brainwash kids. All we were doing was handing out pencils,” Perrin said. “We’re not trying to invade anybody’s privacy. We’re just trying to protect their freedoms.”
