Military Recruitment
Our nation's government has a deep history of recruiting disenfranchised youth into the military. Many people of color live at the poverty level. Recruiters intentionally target poor youth, advertising college tuition, career opportunities, the chance to travel abroad, and the stability in life that they may not be getting at home. 
Congress has passed an education bill called "No Child Left Behind" that affects schools, and their access to federal funding, in a lot of different ways. One of the things this law does is force school districts to give the names of and contact information for juniors and seniors in high school to military recruiters if the recruiters ask for it.
If you want to consider your options with regard to military service, or want information about conscientious objection, check out these sites.
Check out these groups and websites that offer information, other kinds of assistance, and links regarding the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and other issues for LGBT people in the military. (Please don't assume that all of these groups share the viewpoints expressed in this publication.)
Here's the deal: U.S. law currently requires all men who are citizens or permanent residents of this country,and between 18-26 years of age, to register for the Selective Service. Yeah, queer guys have to register, too, even though the military doesn't want any queers, and sometimes goes on anti-gay witchhunts. It's hypocritical, but it's the law.
If you don't want to register with the Selective Service and know that military service is not for you, you have the right to consider all your legal options. There are groups that can help you. But you should also know that there are serious risks and possible penalties for failing to register with the Selective Service. Be prepared with accurate information before making any decisions.
Here's some guidance and good advice from the people at the National Center for Lesbian Rights. But a word of caution is in order. Because the Selective Service System doesn't have any written policy on any of this, administrators may be confused, and you may encounter problems. If you do, get legal help as quickly as possible.
You've seen the slick brochures, the cool MTV ads, the ads at the movies. Job training, money for college, adventure and glory , leadership skills and more.
But ads are meant to sell things, including fantasies. Be aware that the military might not give you the job training and work experience you expect. Jobs with fancysounding titles often are low-skill and non-technical.
The military uses serious bullying tactics and coercion to force high schools and colleges to go along with what the Pentagon wants, and to punish them if they don't.
The military isn't the only game in town. Although the military may tell you they have the resources you need to accomplish your goals in life, the truth is, there are a lot of other ways you can get the resources you need to move forward. And these options don't require that you be willing to kill, destroy, and colonize others.
Having a high school degree and a college degree is a great investment in your future...
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