Danny Westneat doesn't think members of the military should be allowed to teach Junior ROTC classes in public high schools -- "Military classes are off course"
what other government agency, corporation or special-interest group gets to design what is taught in a public-school classroom, and then run the classes themselves?I can't begin to imagine.
This is just more of the same from the WEA. I think most people don't want to see the public schools disbanded, but they vote for charter schools because the public ones seem to be controlled by the special interests.
Posted by: TG on July 29, 2005 10:18 AMThe link just looks like a place for people to send in their own lesson-plan ideas so that teachers can benefit from them. Isn't that a wholly different (and pretty good, or at least benign) idea?
Posted by: Bluebeard on July 29, 2005 10:22 AMThis town is Federal Way. Come to one of our school board meetings and get to know our school board. I think you'll like their attitude on a number of issues.
Posted by: Jonathan Gardner on July 29, 2005 11:41 AM
I only ever saw one unit that was less than squared away, and that one was attending competition for the first time in their first year of existence. I think their adviser was a bit lacking.
Every other unit ranged from "Good" to "Jaw Dropping Outstanding". This is a kind of competition where there are Standards with a capital S. There is no fudging the question of whether someone spent the time to shine their shoes to a mirror polish, or squared away the devices on their uniform, or got a haircut the day before the inspection, or learned all the trivia, or understood the ceremonies and protocol, or could hold their composure when the inspector asked a question they didn't know the answer to. And there is something fundamentally impressive about watching the Walla Walla unarmed drill team (all female) match onto the drill floor with so many medals bouncing on their uniforms that it sounded like a earthquake in a scrapyard. The young ladies were so committed that they had the same person do their hair and make-up so that they'd have uniformity through-out their formation.
We did ask questions they didn't know. Since it was every variety of JROTC, and the inspectors were a similar mixed bag, many times we didn't know what the cadets were supposed to know. So, the first question to the squad/element leader would usually be, "What knowledge requirement is this unit expected to meet?" Then the inspector would mae up a inspection question pattern onthe spot. Part of the trick was to ask different questions to every squad member, but always ask the same one question to every member of the squad, just to see who is paying attention while standing at attention.
The last question asked to every junior cadet is, "What are you going to do after you graduate?" About 2 out of 3 intended to go to college, and maybe 1 out of 4 was considering the military. No matter what their answer was, I'd ask them why they wanted take that option, or why that particular military service. (It's understandable when they choose the service that sponsors their JROTC, but it shows a kind of sly cunning then the entire squad wants to go into the Air Force, my service, when they're dressed in another service's uniform. That shows they anticipated the question, and they planned a response.)
Make no mistake, it's a tough competition. I've seen platoon commanders hold it together until they left the inspection floor and dismissed their unit, before breaking down in tears because they missed their mark on the inspection floor by a yard, or blanked on a question they should have known, or missed a bit of the protocol, because they let their team down. I gave extra points for composure in the face of a screw up. In fact, you had to make a screw up to get maximum points on composure from me. Preferably a minor mistake, of course.
What do they get out of it? Discipline, in the heart and mind. JROTC students do better at school than they did before. Whether they go into the military or just go to college or take a job straight out of high school, that discipline give them a edge. They can always look back on the time that C/Capt Craff was in front of them, checking to see if their eyes moved, and quietly asking them how to apply first aid to a broken bone and treat for shock, and who is the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs, and what's the name of the cadet on your left, and behind you? They were under pressure, and even more was being demanded of them, and there were mistakes, and they held it together for themselves and the team. Then they'd come back in three months and do it again, better.
And that's the kind of kid you want to hire in your small business. That's the kind of kid you want in engineering classes. That's the kind of kid you want to grow up to be mayor of the town. And yes, that's the kind of kid I want providing cover fire for her squad, or flying a fighter. And JROTC is giving them an avenue to nurture that quality at an early age.
We need JROTC programs more now than we ever have before. The patriotism aspect of it is exactly the same now as it ever was before, no more and no less. But now it's becoming the sole source of something that used to be part of every class. What it's providing is being stripped out of the curriculums of every other subject: Non-negotiable Standards.
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Don't let your kid(s) (You DO have children, right?) sign up.
Meanwhile, the rest of us can make the parenting/school decisions that affect our children without your assistance.
"But what other government agency, corporation or special-interest group gets to design what is taught in a public-school classroom, and then run the classes themselves?"
The Washington Education (Teachers, you can't buy any school supplies in your local Wal-Mart) Association. You know, the teacher's union? The largest "special-interest group" in the state?
Thanks for asking.
Let me know when I can help you again, OK?
A 13 year-old is wise enough and mature enough to make a decision about "her own body" and have an abortion, but is not wise enough and mature enough to decide if she wants to join a high school program which is pro-military and is going to obviously try to recruit students into the service.
Does that about sum it? Or am I missing something?
As a guy who graduated college with a 3.8 GPA with $0 in debt or financial aid (thank you Uncle Sam) and also happen to graduate high school with a 1.7 GPA, I can testify that financially, the military is the best opportunity for so many kids that grow up in less that economic prosperity.
Why are these self-described champions of the poor so intent on removing the option of military service from those who already don't have many options?
Posted by: T.J. on July 29, 2005 04:56 PMDear Mr. Westneat:
You overlook the fact taking JROTC is VOLUNTARY! No one is forced to sign up. Low attendance means the program leaves. So what if some kids decide to join the military afterwards. Big deal. They have a much better idea of what is involved because of their JROTC classes and activities. No one is twisting their arm. And it is not a requirement for graduation.
As for special interest groups designing what is taught in the classroom, check out your local "approved" public school curriculum. All subjects must meet certain objectives and amount of instructional time. The state now requires all seniors to complete a special project before graduation according to state Department of Education guidelines. Bilingual classes must be offered in most districts. The decision was also made to not teach reading using the phonics method. And students must meet certain requirements just to get their diplomas.
You might want to actually look at the materials used in the JROTC program. I have seen them and to put them on par with something Greenpeace would produce is just ludicrous. Next time you might want to actually research your column topic instead of doing the usual knee-jerk response.
You don't have to put you children in JROTC. They don't have to join the military. They don't even have to learn about the importance of the military in our country's history (especially if they use the Seattle schools' history books). But let the rest of us decide what would most benefit our children and grandchildren.
I'll take the Air Force any day.
and PS--whatever happened to acknowledging that the military is a legitimate function of the federal government and that joining it is an honorable thing to do? And what's wrong with patriotic kids being interested in the military while in high school?
why don't these people just come out and say it---they wish the military would just fold up and go away. Well, sorry, it isn't gonna happen. Stop with the baby-ish whining, lefties.
Mr. Westneat,
As a sailor currently serving on active duty I am most familiar with the Navy JROTC program and I take offense with your article concerning JROTC courses being taught in local schools. I am also a bit perturbed with the carefree way you wrote your article, as you obviously did not take much time to research the benefits that these programs provide to todays "Xbox Generation". Your opinion is a slap to the face of every JROTC instructor past and present who have worked their tails off to provide a positive role model and make a genuine difference in their students lives. I just wish there were more "traditional" teachers and administrators with the same values and desires to make a difference.
Instructors for all branches of JROTC are retired NCO's who have been thoroughly screened by each of the respective JROTC programs. They are not there to actively recruit high school students, they are there to teach a course of instruction that "encourages initiative and individuality to develop natural gifts, to teach self-control, develop personal character, responsibility and qualities of integrity, loyalty, and dedication". Instructors do this while teaching courses in Nautical Astronomy, Electronics, Oceanography, and Drills, Commands, and Ceremonies, just to name a few.
I would like to add that instructors are employees of the respective school district and the Navy partially reimburses the district for their salary.
Please see below some of the facts as stated on the Navy JROTC web site https://www.njrotc.navy.mil/programinfo.cfm. These facts are valid as of October 2002. I can only speculate as to what the current enrollment numbers might be given our current commitments in Iraq and Afghanistan.
584 NJROTC Units as of 1 October 2002.
Number of students in NJROTC, School Year 02-03 = 79,930; 41% female, 59% male.
Approximately 40% of all NJROTC program graduates enter military service.
Approximately 58% of all NJROTC graduates continue to post-secondary education (including ROTC programs and military academies).
Minority participation is 64%; 34% African American, 22% Hispanic, 4% Asian American/Pacific Islander, 1% Native American/Alaskan Native, 3% Other.
NJROTC cadets are better behaved, have higher attendance, are role models for the avoidance of substance abuse, have higher self-esteem, develop positive life skills, graduate at a higher rate, and are an excellent source of service accessions.
The values, principles, and self-discipline taught in NJROTC promotes positive, productive behaviors and provides a support structure that is critical in helping cadets avoid the use of drugs.
The NJROTC program is motivational in encouraging cadets to graduate from high school.
There are other benefits too. Such as consideration for appointment to a Military Academy, consideration for a NROTC scholarship, and enlisting in a higher paygrade.
As for special interest groups that have a say in what gets taught in our classrooms, look no further than the Washington Education Association (WEA). The same group that won't let teachers buy supplies at Wal-Mart.
Thank you for your time,
E. T. Scott
In fact, to a large degree, JROTC was the only program that set high standards of personal conduct and meted out consequences for falling below them. Her three years made a bigger difference in her maturity and personal development than anything else.
Two cases in point: on one Wednesday, the day cadets wear uniforms to school, she was assaulted by another girl. She wanted to fight back, but because fighting while in uniform would subject
her to discipline in the unit, she did not. Luckily, a teacher saw the attack, the offender was expelled and my daughter was not.
One other point: one day an emotionally troubled cadet brought a loaded handgun to school and threatened to commit suicide. The school went into lockdown. It was two of the student cadet officers -- one male, one female -- who carefully and deliberately talked him into surrendering his weapon and getting help. You can look it up --
the newspapers all carried the story at the time.
JROTC is one of the finest programs offered our young people. We need more units, not fewer.
Larry Schreiter
Covington
Anyone teaching altenatives like the military or Boy Scouts concerning patriotism, disclipline, honor and duty are usually pooh-poohed by the likes of Westneat. They don't like the disclipline inposed on their so-called enlightened thought. Well, Dan--next time you have a WTO riot or need protection, call on your diversity training friends who will try to reason with the angry mob and discover why they are angry. Get some daisies for the rifle barrels. Oh--better wear your safety glasses for the flying debris and human excrement that Guradsmen and law enforcement have to tolerate from angry mobs. They do all this equally and without kudos to protect your cozy property and cozy life. Be as liberal as you wish--just remember who watches your back in society. A 'thank you' might help for once.
Posted by: Jimmie-howya-doin on July 30, 2005 09:02 AM
1. Among, if not THE most respected institution in the America
2. The first American institution to fully integrate.
3. Higher rates of education than the population or any school district in the US (or Washington).
4. Promotion based solely on testing and performance and therefore has higher success rates for minorities with minorities at higher leadership levels than any other institution in the world - including Seattle's newspapers.
5. Has more community volunteers (soccer coaches, Boy Scout leaders, etc) per capita than any other US community.
6. Gives to charity at a greater rate than the population at large, yet has a lower pay rate.
7. Is healthier than the population at large, except when being shot at, and even then there are some cities with a higher murder rate than the Iraqi war KIA rates.
8. Operates (overseas) a US K-12 school system on the cheap with a higher graduation rate, higher test scores, lower drug and preganancy rates, and higher college acceptance rates than all but one or two school systems in the US (none of which are in Washington.) And that school system is larger than any in Washington.
And Westneat thinks the AFROTC program is "over the top"? Give me over-the-top anytime if it improves my children's opportunites and chance for success.
Deryl McCarty
Westneat proves that you don't have to know very much about very much to still cause damage.
It's OK though, because I'm sure his mama loves him...
Posted by: alphabet soup on July 31, 2005 09:43 AM