HELP SAVE SAN FRANCISCO JROTC PROGRAMS

Captain Chuck Shea has been working hard to see that Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps, JROTC, remains an active program within San Francisco public schools. The opposition is the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and a majority on the San Francisco Board of Education. Fortunately there is Chuck and a growing number of organizations, students, parents, principles and teachers and others endeavoring to retain JROTC in city high schools.

They need help. Anyone and willing and able to support them with a financial contribution is encouraged to do so. The attached letter from Chuck and his back up material lays that out well.

Like it or not we all are painted with the same wide brush as we get lumped into the left-wing politics of that town. If you can assist, please do. It will help us all.

Don Hale, President,
Pacific Central Region, NLUS

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I wanted to drop you a quick note to ask for your support and a check, to help in our efforts to keep the JROTC alive and functioning in San Francisco. As you may have heard three members of the San Francisco School Board voted to eliminate the JROTC in the High Schools. The end date is December 2008.

The Declared purpose of their actions was that the JROTC was a military recruiting program and since the School Board was against the War and the Military the JROTC program needed to be terminated. This as we know was strictly a move by small group of Anti military activists, which we in San Francisco and the Nation have been dealing with now for 35 years. This is just one more strike against not just the JROTC but the very core principals we stand for as a Nation. We need to fight back!

The San Francisco Council of the Navy League has continually supported the Naval services in San Francisco and most recently led a fight to bring the Blue Angels back again for Fleet Week 08. We are now supporting the fight to Save the JROTC in San Francisco’s High Schools.

A non-profit cannot give funds to candidates. However, a non-profit can give funds to a ballot measure and/or other legislative advocacy, so far as these funds do not constitute a significant part of the non-profit-s budget. Jim suggests that this percentage might be around 10%-15%. Thus, the Navy League, Cathay Post, or other vet groups can contribute, so long as the contribution remains roughly below 10% of the organization’s budget.

I would like to request that you, ask your Council, to help us win this fight, keep the JROTC Alive and send a message to those small group of activist in San Francisco, that we are tired of their Anti Military efforts. The San Francisco Council has provided a check in the amount of $1,000.00. The American Legion and other veteran’s organizations in the region will also be contributing.

I have provided some background information for your review and will give you a call to chat about my request.

Chuck Shea, President
San Francisco Council, NLUS
(530) 416-2038
captcshea at Yahoo dot com

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Key Benefits of JROTC

JROTC is a leadership program that teaches cadets discipline and skills. It is an optional program that students can select (instead of PE during freshman and sophomore years) and for which their parents must approve. It is a choice made by students and their parents.

Statistics:

. 85% of the students polled (citywide) supported the program

. 100% of the PTAs supported the program

. 100% of the principals supported the program

. 100% of the school alumnus groups supported the program

1) Cadets voluntarily commit to hundreds of hours of community service.

2) JROTC is not discriminatory

3) 90% of cadets are from minority families - 72% Asian

4) 1,600 cadets are enrolled in program that has existed for 90 years

5) Special education teachers at each of the high schools refer their students to the JROTC program because it provides a structured, well supervised program for special ed students.

6) 50% of the instructors’ salaries are funded by the military as well as all program expenses (computers, uniforms, etc.). Eliminating the program will not be "neutral" for the school district from a budgetary perspective.

7) All the Board of Education constituents - students, parents, principals and teachers support keeping the JROTC program.

The fight for JROTC is about providing choices for our students. Students and their parents should have more choices in high school, not less.

Quincy Yu
SeaYu Enterprises
PO Box 16236
San Francisco CA 94116
Voice: 415.566.9677 ext 113
E-mail: qyu@sea-yu.com

Submitted By: Phelps Hobart

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