JROTC GETS ONE MORE YEAR IN SAN FRANCISCO SCHOOLS

We voted at SLO to take a position on JROTC so now is the time to get the cards and letters going. www.military.com has some links that will be helpful.

John Sammons
Secretary, CALMOAA
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Military.com | By Kelly Johnson | December 13, 2007
In a 5-2 vote, San Francisco’s Board of Education opted to keep the Junior ROTC program in the city’s public schools for one more year, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday.

The board voted to extend the 90-year-old program through the 2009 after a several protests from JROTC supporters and the failure by the board to come up with an alternative to the popular program.

Last year, the board voted to eradicate the JROTC program because opponents felt that it perpetuated homophobic and discriminatory practices, and they objected to its recruiting mandate.

The board then appointed a task force to develop an alternative to the program by late 2007. The task force was unable to come up with an alternative in time, prompting JROTC supporters to request an extension at all high schools.

The extension was applauded by school board member and JROTC supporter Jill Wynns, “I’m pleased,” Wynn told the Chronicle. “I think it keeps trust with the students.”

Despite opponents’ claim that the JROTC has no place in public schools because of its “discriminatory” practices, the majority of JROTC members and supporters say that the program is essential for students.

Additionally, a survey of 835 current and former JRTOC cadets found that 74 percent felt that the program was a place where they felt “safe and appreciated in high school,” and 16 percent of JROTC members surveyed said they wanted to pursue a military career after high school.

“This is where the kids feel safe. You’re going to take that away from them?” said Robert Powell, a JROTC instructor in the Chronicle report.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom has openly chastised the board for attempting to eliminate the program.

“The move sends the wrong message. It’s important for the city to not be identified with disrespecting the sacrifice of men and women in uniform,” Newsom said.

The JRTOC program teaches high school students the value of leadership, citizenship, service to country and personal responsibility, according to the Army’s JROTC website. And, the program is a stimulus for promoting graduation from high school as well as educating students about their rights, privileges and responsibilities as an American.

Newsom added in the Chronicle report that axeing JROTC from San Francisco schools could alienate some residents.

“You think this is going to help keep families in San Francisco? It’s going to hurt.”

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