Email this page

Truth in Recruitment, Chicago

See our recent activities >

The Truth in Recruitment Program program seeks to expose the harsh realities of military service and refute false information provided by military recruiters and military advertising.

In Chicago, the U.S. Army has entrenched itself in a public school system that is overwhelmingly nonwhite (91%) and poor (85% of the students come from low-income families), according to school district figures.

• 44 of the city's 93 high schools have a JROTC program.
• 1 out of every 10 high school students wears a military uniform to school at least once a week and those attending military academies wear them daily.
• The city has 10 military academies; 3 operate independently, and 7 function as schools within schools.

AFSC is working with area high schools students to help youth get the facts on military recruitment and enlistment as well as providing information on alternatives to the military.

AFSC works together with youth, parents, veterans, and teachers from Chicago Public Schools who are organizing to demilitarize the school system. A close partner is the Chicagoland Coalition Opposed to the Militarization of Youth (http://www.ccomy.org/ccomy.php).

For more information, please visit AFSC's website on Youth & Militarism.

^ Top of page