Military recruiters face resistance from Young anti-war activists

The military spends about $3 billion each year to convince young people that enlistment will give them college money, job training and an alternative to working at McDonald's. In the wake of the growing conflict in Iraq, which has resulted in over a thousand U.S. casualties, the military has become more aggressive in scouting out high school students willing and able to serve. In many New York City public schools that are predominantly Black and Latino, military recruiters are a heavy presence, promising young people financial security and a fulfilling career. Recruiters roam the halls, set up tables and even pull students out of class. But in recent months, a group of teenagers and anti-war veterans have been canvassing the neighborhoods where the recruiters frequent, hoping to convince students to consider other options. ''We've heard everything up to and including having a desk in the guidance counselor's office,'' said Amy Wagner of Youth Activists-Youth Allies (YaYas), a group that focuses on counter-recruitment. ''When the kid comes in to talk to the counselor about college, before the kid can get there, they've got somebody in their face saying, 'You want to go to college? How are you going to pay for college?'''The YaYas, staffed almost entirely by high school students of color, work to make sure young people avoid falling into military service because it seems like the only option for advancement.

• Two-thirds of recruits don't get any college money, according to the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors.
  
• Most people in the military do not have time to attend college while in the service.
  
• To qualify for college money recruits have to pay $100 per month for a year.
• The unemployment rate for veterans is three times higher than the national average. 
• People who sign up with the Delayed Entry Program are told they can't change their minds, but getting out is as simple as writing a letter. The enlistment contract is for eight years.There are other ways to finance college, like federal financial aid, private scholarships, going to community college or joining AmeriCorps. [more]
• Military Recruiting Sparks a Protest at Career Fair [more]