Comments on: San Franciscans weigh merits of high school ROTC http://www.365gay.com/news/san-franciscans-weigh-merits-of-high-school-rotc/ The daily news source for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community Sun, 22 Nov 2009 06:09:06 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.6 hourly 1 By: Mombian » Blog Archive » Weekly Political Roundup http://www.365gay.com/news/san-franciscans-weigh-merits-of-high-school-rotc/comment-page-1/#comment-23390 Mombian » Blog Archive » Weekly Political Roundup Sat, 04 Oct 2008 00:34:55 +0000 http://www.365gay.com/?p=3514#comment-23390 [...] San Franciscans are debating whether to uphold a 2006 decision to remove JROTC programs from public schools, in part because of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Some argue, however, that “The San Francisco JROTC has been recognized as a model of inclusion for LGBT students.” [...] [...] San Franciscans are debating whether to uphold a 2006 decision to remove JROTC programs from public schools, in part because of the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy. Some argue, however, that “The San Francisco JROTC has been recognized as a model of inclusion for LGBT students.” [...]

]]> By: craig http://www.365gay.com/news/san-franciscans-weigh-merits-of-high-school-rotc/comment-page-1/#comment-23245 craig Fri, 03 Oct 2008 03:24:52 +0000 http://www.365gay.com/?p=3514#comment-23245 I spent 4 years in JROTC here in Florida, and it was my best experience in high school. They teach far more than how to be a good soldier. There is a great deal of history taught, and most importantly, teamwork. The PT was much more welcome than normal Gym class. Cadets were mostly much more supportive, and well behaved. The only people I keep in contact with after high school were in JROTC with me. Some of them, including myself, joined the military after high school, but most of them went on to college, or other things. I was on several teams during those years, went away to the competitions, and spent a lot of time giving back to the unit. People who view this as a recruiting tool, and something to brainwash students into going into the military aren't entirely correct. Yes, there are strong motivations to join the military in this program, but never in my 4 years did anyone say, you're supposed to join the military after this course. The aim of this course is to promote teamwork, physical education, history, and many of the positive aspects of a person's character that are never taught in the rest of high school. If it wasn't for JROTC, I would likely not have done as well in school. One of the requirements of JROTC is to maintain a good GPA in order to take part in the benefits of the program. This is a great motivation. Another thing about JROTC was the spirit of friendship and helping. As the leader of the academic team, it was part of my job to help students that were struggling. The help was supposed to be within the JROTC curriculum but I made it a point to extend that to other subjects as well. When I left that position at the end of my Junior year, the person who relieved me continued that practice. I am happy to say, the last time I spoke with one of the instructors, that practice continues. If you're going to judge a program like JROTC, please take the time to really learn what it is really about, and examine in detail what they teach. Even though it is centered around a military background, it is not a living recruiting poster. The discipline given out in the program is well regulated by the instructors. I have been the subject of that discipline and the person metering it out. That is part of the responsibility that comes with growing as a person in the class. There is a big emphases on personal responsibility. I spent 4 years in JROTC here in Florida, and it was my best experience in high school. They teach far more than how to be a good soldier. There is a great deal of history taught, and most importantly, teamwork.

The PT was much more welcome than normal Gym class. Cadets were mostly much more supportive, and well behaved. The only people I keep in contact with after high school were in JROTC with me.

Some of them, including myself, joined the military after high school, but most of them went on to college, or other things. I was on several teams during those years, went away to the competitions, and spent a lot of time giving back to the unit.

People who view this as a recruiting tool, and something to brainwash students into going into the military aren’t entirely correct. Yes, there are strong motivations to join the military in this program, but never in my 4 years did anyone say, you’re supposed to join the military after this course.

The aim of this course is to promote teamwork, physical education, history, and many of the positive aspects of a person’s character that are never taught in the rest of high school. If it wasn’t for JROTC, I would likely not have done as well in school. One of the requirements of JROTC is to maintain a good GPA in order to take part in the benefits of the program. This is a great motivation.

Another thing about JROTC was the spirit of friendship and helping. As the leader of the academic team, it was part of my job to help students that were struggling. The help was supposed to be within the JROTC curriculum but I made it a point to extend that to other subjects as well. When I left that position at the end of my Junior year, the person who relieved me continued that practice. I am happy to say, the last time I spoke with one of the instructors, that practice continues.

If you’re going to judge a program like JROTC, please take the time to really learn what it is really about, and examine in detail what they teach. Even though it is centered around a military background, it is not a living recruiting poster. The discipline given out in the program is well regulated by the instructors. I have been the subject of that discipline and the person metering it out. That is part of the responsibility that comes with growing as a person in the class. There is a big emphases on personal responsibility.

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