Don’t sign, don’t join . . . before you look at this (Part 1)
By Deb Spilko
With news that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell may be lifted or at least watered down, some GLBT people are considering enlisting in the military.
If you are one of those people, I would stongly suggest that you don’t rely solely on military recruiters and their recruiting materials.
Here are some sources that can help you to gain a more balanced understanding of what it means to enlist in today’s military. You can link to them from the Erie Gay News website or by looking up their titles with the keyword AFSC (or call the American Friends’ Service Committee National Youth & Militarism Program 215-241-7176).
Do You Know Enough to Enlist?
This flyer will help you to get clear about some things in your own in your own mind, like: Will enlistment help me achieve my goals? Am I trying to escape my own problems? Am I willing to give up control? Am I willing to kill... and be killed? Do I have other options?
And they offer this advice: If you talk with a recruiter, don’t rely only on the recruiter to give you the information you need to make ann informed decision. Take along a relative or friend. There is also advice on what to do if you do decide to enlist.
http://www.afsc.net/PDFFiles/Enlist.PDF
Before You Enlist!
This is a video (14:32 min.) that offers straight talk from veterans and their family members and a former recruiter, telling what is missing from the sales pitches presented by recruiters and the military’s marketing efforts. The American Friends Service Committee, Veterans For Peace (VFP), Iraq Veterans Against the War, Gold Star Families for Peace, Military Families Speak Out, the Coalition for Peace Action and other groups worked with the producers to develop the program and are helping to distribute it. Link to it from Erie Gay News. More info at BeforeYouEnlist.orghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fkkdoDOIJM&feature=player_embedded
Questions for Military Recruiters (backed with Answers Miltary Recruiters Should Give You)
The postcard-sized handout offers questions and answers on concerns like: Will I be deployed to the Middle East? How long is my enlistment commitment? Can the Armed Forces make me stay longer than I have contracted for? Am I guaranteed the ability to go to college if I want to?
http://www.afsc.org/Youth&Militarism/ht/a/GetDocumentAction/i/57823
Already signed up?
If you are having problems or are having second thoughts about enlisting, call the GI Rights Hotline at 877-447-4487 or visit www.girightshotline.org The call and the service are free and confidential. This is a nongovernment organization.
The Erie Peace Initiative Initiative distributes the first two items locally.. If you would like to make these items available in your school, office or business, contact EPI at eriepeaceinitiative@yahoo.com or visit www.eriepeaceinitiative.org
Videos
Before You Enlist! (updated) - Posted Feb 25, 2010
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Erie Gay News
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Co-editors Michael Mahler and Deb Spilko