Tag: Youth

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New Report: Military Recruiters: Criminal, Abusive or Suspect Activity

http://www.veteransforpeace.org/Recruitment_Education.vp.html

Military Recruiters: Criminal, Abusive or Suspect Activity

Eight-year Chronological Review of Public Reports as of August 28, 2009

Compiled by Learning Not Recruiting – Toledo, Ohio

Download full report: http://www.veteransforpeace.org/files/pdf/Recruiter%20Abuse%20Full%20Report.pdf

By no means should this compilation be considered a definitive report covering all cases of criminal, abusive or suspect activity by military recruiters or the recruiting command. For example, in 2004 the Army alone selfreported over 325 cases of recruiter fraud, with only 35 recruiters relieved of duty (see CBS News report dated July 14, 2005). Self-reported Department of Defense records show that rapes or sexual assaults by military recruiters numbered at least 100 in 2005 (see Kansas City Star report dated August 20, 2006). Our margins in compiling are a result of existing limitations in media database research vs. the military’s access to their own records. All reports we cite have been saved.

This compilation was created to visibly support the widely-held opposition to military recruiters having federally-forced access to youth via schools and access to youth throughout their communities, largely due to exorbitant military recruiting budgets.

Military Recruiters: Criminal, Abusive or Suspect Activity

2009

1. Case impugns Marine recruiting

2. Parents of recruit sue the Army, say they were misled

3. Marine recruiter gets 3 years for sexual assault

4. Air Force recruiter charged with selling drugs

5. Marine recruiter charged with pimping girl, 14

6. Recruiter allegedly propositioned student

7. Ex-CCHS Army recruiter under investigation

8. Former Marine recruiter pleads guilty of rape

9. Miramontes guilty of manslaughter

10. Recruiter charged in child prostitution sting

11. 2 recruiting bosses fired after suicide probe

12. Low morale, stress blamed in Army recruiter suicides

13. Marine gunnery sergeant jailed 90 days for adultery

14. Substance abuse appears a problem among stressed Army recruiters

2008

1. Recruiter Faces Sexual Conduct Charges

2. Navy recruiter arrested for drug distribution

3. Recruiter accused of sexual assault

4. High School Military Recruiter Accused of Raping Students

5. Recruiter charged with sexual assault

6. Marine who forced sex on recruit gets 4 months prison

7. National Guard recruiter disciplined for alleged sexual advances

8. Marine recruiter faces sex charges with teen

9. Army recruiter pleads guilty to distributing child pornography

10. Army Recruiter Charged in Bonanza Bank Robbery

11. San Antonio recruiting commander fired

12. Army Recruiter Used Scare Tactics

13. Suspect Soldiers: California National Guard scrutinizes recruiter offenses

14. Navy high school recruiter faces charge of sex with 16-year-old

15. Navy recruiter’s false promises allegedly snare Kapolei students

16. Racist recruiting? Marine Corps ad draws fire

17. Vt. Guard Member Charged With Sex Assault

18. Ex-National Guard recruiter admits to assaulting 7 female students

19. Marine gets 180 days for stalking

20. Army Recruiter Charged with Husband’s Murder

21. Army recruiter charged with child endangerment

22. Guard: Recruiter faked GEDs

23. Taming the Recruiters: Students Feel Cheated After Enlisting, Lawmakers Hear

24. Former Army recruiter arrested for bigamy

25. Marines Jailed On DWI Charges

2007

1. Pa. National Guard recruiter charged with raping recruit

2. National Guard recruiters cited for improprieties

3. Army recruiter facing child porn charges

4. Plea set in child porn case

5. Navy recruiter accused of inappropriate contact with Darlington High student

6. Nine marine recruiters punished in exam fraud

7. Recruiter for Guard facing sex charges

8. Oregon recruiter dead in apparent suicide

9. Army Officer Arrested for Rockets in Home

10. More Army recruits have criminal past

11. Army recruiter pleads guilty to felony identity theft

12. Recruiter convicted of rape after suicide attempt

13. 15 recruiters fired over sex protection rules

14. Recruiters guilty of having sex with recruits

15. Marine recruiter faces child porn charges

16. Betrayal of Trust

17. AZ Guard applicants paid for test scores

18. Woman Says Marine Recruiter Nearly Tricked Son

19. Army Recruiter Gets Jail for Sex Crime

20. Marine Corps to alter recruiting practices after alleged rapes

21. Navy recruiter facing charges of sex assault

22. Probe sought over alleged recruiting lies

23. Dishonorable Deceptions: Army Recruiters Caught on Hidden Camera

24. Ex-Marine recruiter sentenced to jail

25. Naked porn-surfing Army recruiter arrested

26. Former recruiter charged in molestation case

27. Army Recruiter Investigated For Bigoted E-Mails

28. Guard recruit efforts flawed

29. Military Takes Case Of Recruiter Accused Of Rape

30. Recruiter pleads to porn

31. Former Army recruiter gets probation

32. S.C. Recruiters Demoted Over Sex Scandal

33. Army Recruiter accused of sex with teenage girl

34. Child Rapist Sentenced to Prison

2006

1. Tucson military recruiters ran cocaine

2. Related Sidebar: The 11 who were caught

3. Hard Sell: Maryland National Guard’s “Recruiter Of The Year” Talks People Into All Sorts of Things

4. Army Recruiters Accused of Misleading Students

to Get Them to Enlist

5. Army recruiter arrested, molestation of pre-teen girl alleged

6. Army recruiter admits to forgery

7. Rosenberg Detectives Bust Marine Recruiter On Child Sex Charges

8. Navy recruiter in St. Cloud fined for teen drinking

9. Predators in uniform: Records show a rise in attacks on girls who show an interest in joining the service

10. 2 recruiters disciplined for signing autistic teen

11. Army recruiter charged with official oppression

12. Former Army recruiter gets 4-8 years for sex with girl

13. Air Force recruiter, coach arrested on charges of sexual misconduct with child

14. Army to assess if Oregon recruiter lied

15. Army recruiter charged in online teen-sex sting

16. Former Marines Sentenced for Smuggling Undocumented Aliens

17. 14 area Army recruiters face investigation

18. Recruiter accused of having sex with teens

19. Kingsport man accused of trying to buy bomb for use in murder

2005

1. Marines: Looking for a Few Good Aliens?

2. Former Army recruiter will stand trial on charges of taking lewd photos of teen

3. Army demotes recruiter of teen

4. Local Marine Recruiter Accused of Child Porn Possession

5. Woman can’t sue Army for sexual assault by recruiter

6. Gets 12 years

7. Hardball Recruiter Gets Promoted

8. Guard recruiter is suspended

9. Army recruiter in Gainesville is charged with rape

10. Woman accuses Guard of recruitment deception

11. Military Recruiters Lie About Dangers In Iraq

12. Former Army recruit says his life was threatened

13. Army reps face sex trial suit: Two recruiters took minors home

14. Army Recruiters Say They Feel Pressure to Bend Rules

15. Ex-Army Recruiter Pleads Guilty for Role in Credit-Card Fraud Case

16. Army recruiter faces sex charge

2004

1. Recruiter charged with sexual assault

2. Army official faces charges

3. Air Force recruiter guilty in murder-for-hire plot

4. Recruiter pleads guilty to fraudulent enlistments

5. Two recruiters will leave Navy rather than face court-martial

6. Navy Recruiter Charged with Identify Theft

7. Marine recruiter gets 5 years for raping teen

8. Marine recruiter charged with rape of Blooming Grove girl, 16

9. Lawsuit alleges Army recruiter assaulted woman

10. 2nd man to die in 2002 killing

2003

1. Army recruiter had gun in luggage, officials say

2. Ex-Army recruiter gets 16-months

3. Marine Recruiter Charged with Assaulting Md. Girl

4. Air Force recruiter arrested

5. Recruiter pleads guilty to sex abuse

2002

1. Army Recruiter Guilty in Identify Theft

2. Northern Idaho recruiter pleads guilty to sex charges

3. Former Navy recruiter pleads no contest to molestation

4. Chicago recruiter to face court-martial next month

5. Recruiter arrested

6. Recruiter convicted in forgery case

7. Navy recruiter accused of sending cocaine to Jacksonville sailor

2001

1. Army recruiter accused of allegedly harassing high school student

2. Teen cannot sue government for alleged rape by recruiter, court rules

3. Recruiter accused in fatal accident

4. Airman earns jail time for inappropriate relationships

5. Army checking tale of recruiter and 3 runaways

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‘Man, these guys are like rock stars.’

How militarized are we?

David A Carlson/FARRINGTON/HIDOE
09/23/2009 01:03 PM

To FHS All Staff

cc

Subject  Fw: United States Air Force Drill Performance at Farrington Thursday 24 Sep during lunch

Hello everyone,

The US Air Force Drill Team from Washington, DC will visit Farrington tomorrow (Thursday) 24 Sep 2009 and perform on the Front Lawn by our flag pole during lunchtime. Everyone is encouraged to see their drill demonstration…..it is thrilling. See the comments of LTC Les Bise, below, who observed the team perform at Waipahu. The team will move to the JROTC “Range” during period 4 to mix and mingle. You may have some cadets and band members asking to be excused to meet the drill team members at JROTC during period 4. If they are deserving please allow them to come to JROTC. Let’s give the USAF Drill Team a grand “Farrington Way” welcome and make this a very memorable experience. Personally, I have never seen them perform in person, just on film in a National Geographic Documentary on our Nation”s Armed Forces Ceremonial Drill Teams. They are fabulous!

LTC Dave Carlson, Senior Army Instructor, Farrington JROTC

Forwarded by David A Carlson/FARRINGTON/HIDOE on 09/23/2009 12:42 PM —–
Leslie Bise/OIS/HIDOE
09/23/2009 09:20 AM
To
Daniel_Kalama, Ted_Pierson, Efren Aguilar, David A_Carlson

cc
Toni_correia, novite_silva

Subject
AF Drill Team Info

Aloha guys,

I was able to go to Waipahu yesterday to observe the AF Drill Team demonstration. Just their appearance alone is impressive. You’ll see what I mean when you see them.

I know we were saying just the JROTC cadets would be enough, but the team plays to the crowd; so the more people there, the better. At Waipahu, the VP was asking classrooms around the performance area to join the audience.

Three things.

a. I understood on the first day they had two vans. Yesterday they had a Bluebird bus; so security needs to meet the Drill Team at the front entrance and guide them to a parking area.
b. The team will need a room to change (classroom is fine) (about 20 pers).
c. The team support personnel will have 8×10 glossy photos, and will have time for autographs and photo op session. The student will need “sharpies” for autograph.

Man, these guys are like rock stars. This kind of opportunity where a professional drill team comes to tour your school is rare and far in between if ever done again.
Les Bise

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Kulani Prison closes to become a military school

The state is closing a prison facility that even prison reform advocates fought to keep open because it has programs that are much needed.  Still others who have been working to create pu’uhonua (places of refuge) to treat nonviolent, drug addiction offenders in a Native Hawaiian cultural program requested to convert the Kulani prison into such a facility.   But instead, the state will turn it into a factory to produce more military recruits, mining the poor and disenfranchised youth of our community.   From one kind of institutionalization to another.

The state plans to allow the U.S. Department of Defense to begin using the 20-acre Kulani facility at the end of November, he said.

The goal is to turn the prison into a Hawai’i National Guard Youth Challenge Academy for teens ages 17 and 18 who are not going to graduate from high school, Maj. Gen. Robert Lee, the state’s adjutant general, announced in July.

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Last inmates leave Big Isle prison

Kulani’s closure left many unhappy, supervisor says

By Jason Armstrong
West Hawaii Today

Friday, September 18, 2009 8:46 AM HST

HILO, Hawai’i – The 63-year history of the Big Island’s only prison quietly ended last Thursday when the last 30 Kulani Correctional Facility inmates were transferred to O’ahu facilities.”They’re all settled in now,” said Tommy Johnson, deputy director of the state Department of Public Safety’s Corrections Division.

One of the men went to O’ahu Community Correctional Center, three others to Waiawa Correctional Facility and the remaining 26 to the Federal Detention Facility in Honolulu, he said.

None of Kulani’s 123 former inmates are being sent to Mainland prisons, he said.

“There’s room (in Hawai’i) because we’re using the FDC,” he said, referring to the Federal Detention Facility near Honolulu International Airport.

The Lingle administration in July announced the planned closure of Kulani to save money and help close a budget deficit.

Both the Kulani employees and prisoners are unhappy with the decision to close the facility, said Ikaika Dombrigues, a building maintenance supervisor who has worked at Kulani for 20 years.

“Their lives have just been crumbled,” he said of employees who will continue reporting to work for the near future.

Eventually, all Kulani employees will be reassigned to the Hawai’i Community Correctional Center, also known as the Hilo jail, although some employees have asked to be allowed to fill openings at prisons on other islands, Johnson said.

There are enough vacancies at Hawai’i’s jails and prisons to absorb the displaced Kulani workers, Johnson said.

The state plans to allow the U.S. Department of Defense to begin using the 20-acre Kulani facility at the end of November, he said.

The goal is to turn the prison into a Hawai’i National Guard Youth Challenge Academy for teens ages 17 and 18 who are not going to graduate from high school, Maj. Gen. Robert Lee, the state’s adjutant general, announced in July.

Closing Kulani will save an estimated $2.8 million a year, Public Safety Director Clayton Frank said in a July 24 press conference in Honolulu.

Source: http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2009/09/18/local/local04.txt

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Kids climb aboard military aircraft

How militarized are we?

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Updated at 2:57 p.m., Friday, September 18, 2009

Students climb aboard military aircraft during Education Day at Hickam

Advertiser Staff

Hickam Airforce Base – About 1,500 O’ahu students got a chance to climb aboard a fuel tanker, and peek inside the cockpit of an F-15 this morning during Education Day, a sneak peak at Hickam’s flight line that visitors will see tomorrow during the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds show.

Starting at 10 a.m. tomorrow, residents may come on base and tour the civilian and military aircraft. Military personnel will be on hand to explain the aircraft.

This morning, students from schools from Kailua to Ewa were in awe as they were allowed to sit in the pilot’s seat in a fueling tanker, looking at the vast array of dials and levers. They were told by a pilot of an F-15 the specs: It’s called “The Eagle,” it carries eight missiles, cost $15 million and has a machine gun on the right side of the aircraft.

“It’s awesome,” said Noah Au Young, a Momilani sixth-grader. “It can shoot 950 bullets in a couple of seconds. I’ve seen one of these before.”

More than 120,000 people are expected to come on base to see the aircraft or to watch the Thunderbirds air show during Hickam’s 2009 open house called “Wings over the Pacific.” The air show is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.

Parking is available on base, but residents are being asked to not bring coolers, backpacks or duffle bags, chairs, weapons, alcohol or drugs on base. Fanny packs and purses, food and snacks will be allowed on base. For more information go to wwww.hafb2009openhouse.com.

Source: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090918/BREAKING01/90918071/Students-climb-aboard-military-aircraft-during-Education-Day-at-Hickam

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Israeli Teenagers Say NO to the Israeli Occupation

Announcement from World Can’t Wait Hawai’i:

Israeli Teenagers Say NO to the Israeli Occupation

Monday, September 21, 2009

UH-Manoa Architecture Auditorium

7pm

The “Why We Refuse” Tour is a national tour of two Israeli women who have come to the United States to speak about their experiences as conscientious objectors in the Israeli army.

Maya Wind and Netta Mishly are part of an Israeli group called Shministim, Israeli high school students who have been imprisoned for refusing to serve in an army that occupies the Palestinian Territories.

Their national tour is being coordinated by the national offices of Jewish Voice for Peace and Code Pink Women for Peace. Their appearance in Hawai`i is being organized by a coalition including Friends of Sabeel-Hawai`i, World Can’t Wait-Hawai`i, and Jewish Voice for Peace-Hawai`i.

Bringing these two women to Hawai`i is incredibly expensive (~$1,300 for airfare, plus the cost of publicity, venue and incidentals). If you’re able to donate toward this event send a check to World Can’t Wait-Hawai`i at P. O. Box 11225, Honolulu, HI 96828 and put “Israeli teens” on the memo line.

Spread the word! This is being done on very short notice. Some of you remember that Ann Wright suggested we bring these teens out when she spoke at Revolution Books a couple of weeks ago. Now it’s going to happen but we still need to pay for it and get an audience for these courageous women. Tell your friends, family, acquaintances. Send this e-mail to others. Announce it at church services and in classrooms. If you want a copy of the leaflet/poster send by e-mail, send us your request.

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Air Force targeting 12 – 18 year olds

CAP offers many opportunities to cadets

Published: Sunday, September 13, 2009 7:56 AM HST

Open house Sept. 26 at Lyman Field hangar in Hilo

If you are between the ages of 12 and 18 years old, and want to learn about flying, aerospace, radio communication, search and rescue and serving your community: Come check out the Civil Air Patrol’s Cadet Program at a special open house on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Lyman Field Composite Squadron’s CAP hangar located at the first left off Kekuanaoa Street heading toward the Hilo International Airport.

CAP is the volunteer, nonprofit auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force. Its three missions are to develop its cadets, educate Americans on the importance of aviation and space, and perform live-saving humanitarian missions. The Cadet Program provides opportunities for the learning and nurturing of leadership to over 26,000 young Americans nationwide.

With the advice and assistance from CAP senior members and the U.S. Air Force, cadets are exposed to a structured program comprised of aerospace education, leadership, special activities, physical fitness, and moral and ethical values through group and individual activities. The Cadet Program is divided into 16 segments, called achievements. Upon completion of each achievement, the cadet earns increasing responsibility, decorations, awards, eligibility for national and international special activities, and opportunities for both flight and academic scholarships.

Every CAP cadet is eligible for five flights in the CAP single-engine Cessna, and possibly flights in a military aircraft. They attend classes on the fundamentals of aviation and space, operate flight simulators, and participate in the model rocketry program. They also learn search and rescue techniques, how to operate and communicate by radio and may attend overnight encampments.

There is no military obligation with the CAP. However, cadets who earn the Billy Mitchell Award may enter the Air Force at an advanced grade (E-3) if they choose to enlist.

The service academies and ROTC also look favorably on CAP experience. Approximately 10 percent of the USAF Academy cadet corps got their start in CAP, said 1st Lt. Barbara Cooper, the Hilo public affairs officer.

The Lyman Field Composite Squadron Cadet Program meets every Wednesday from 5 to 8 p.m. at the CAP hangar at the Hilo Airport. For further information on the Cadet Program call the hangar at 935-6927. For further information on the Civil Air Patrol visit the Web site at: http://www.gocivilairpatrol.com.

Source: http://www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/articles/2009/09/14/features/features03.txt

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‘Freedom Walk’ sponsored by ‘Operation Homefront’ and led by ‘Nimitz Elementary’ school children

How militarized are we?
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Updated at 4:26 p.m., Friday, September 11, 2009

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Schoolchildren from Holy Family Catholic Academy and Chester Nimitz Elementary School led more than 1,500 participants in today’s third Freedom Walk. RICHARD AMBO | The Honolulu Advertiser

Schoolchildren lead more than 1,500 participants in Freedom Walk

Advertiser Staff

More than 1,500 people – most of them schoolchildren from Holy Family Catholic Academy and Chester Nimitz Elementary School – took part in the third Freedom Walk this morning.

The 1 1/2-mile walk along Main Street near Hickam Air Force Base, is organized by Operation Homefront, a nonprofit that provides assistance to military families. The walk serves as the organization’s memorial to 9/11.

Also participting were members of Honolulu International Airport’s TSA personnel, Honolulu firefighters and police officers, members of the VFW and other veterans.

Source: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090911/BREAKING01/90911045/Schoolchildren+lead+more+than+1+500+participants+in+Freedom+Walk

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Students need to be able to make informed decision on military service

VIEWPOINT: Students need to be able to make informed decision on military service

By ANN PITCAITHLEY

POSTED: September 2, 2009

The federal No Child Left behind Act of 2001 contains a little-known provision that threatens the federal funding of any school refusing to turn over the personal contact information of students in grades 7 through 12 to military recruiters. This action is in violation of the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.

Given the current economic recession, more high school age youth are considering joining the military. At this impressionable age, we must entrust our public schools with the responsibility to protect our children’s rights to privacy. Students and parents have complained of multiple cell and home phone calls from military recruiters as well as uninvited recruiters arriving at their houses.

The Hawaii Department of Education offers a form that parents or legal guardians can sign to prevent this release of student information. It can be downloaded at doe.k12.hi.us. The American Friends Service Committee also offers this form in 11 languages at www.afschawaii.org. Forms are due by Sept. 15, but will be accepted anytime during the school year. In mid-October, the Department of Education is required to turn over a student list to recruiters.

The federal No Child Left Behind Act also grants military recruiters access to campuses, with their presence far outnumbering college recruiters and prospective employers. Recruiting is currently a $4 billion industry. According to Army spokesman Douglas Smith, the military spent an average of $16,199 for each of its 73,373 recruits in 2005.

Youth advocacy programs such as Careers in Peacemaking (CIP) have been forming across the nation to provide youth with informed choices about military enlistment. We believe that before making this life-altering decision, a young person should be exposed to data from as many different sources as possible. Consulting with school administrators and teachers, we offer presentations in high school classrooms and attend career fairs to make known the realities of current military life and war, and to introduce nonmilitary sources of funding for jobs and college.

Maui CIP is fortunate to have a veteran, a Maui high school graduate who has served in Iraq, share with students his experiences regarding military service and war. Through my CIP activities, I have learned that most of our island youth have no idea what military service entails, despite the fact that the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have been going on for eight years of their lives. Many haven’t given much thought to the U.S. role in these conflicts. They cannot define “civilian casualty,” or “collateral damage.”

Almost all students that we have spoken to are unaware that enlistment is a mandatory commitment of eight years, or that their rank, assignment and length of service can change without prior notice or consent. They don’t understand the implications of giving up their civilian rights when they sign the complex enlistment agreement or how this can impact them if they are troubled by what the military orders them to do. They are unaware of the rates of veteran suicide and post-traumatic stress disorder. Female students know nothing of the high statistics of sexual assault on women in the military.

One of the most common reason youth enlist is money for college. Others sign up to give their life a higher meaning, to help others or to serve their country. Many see it as their best opportunity to travel. These are all valid reasons. CIP’s concern is that in the course of fulfilling these desires, the student can lose their life, become severely wounded, or suffer mental disorders including long-term depression and disillusionment over what they experience in the military or combat. CIP believes it is important that students are provided with facts, testimonies and alternatives.

One alternative is Americorps, which recently received a large boost in federal funding. It is our hope that citizens will understand that our goals are not subversive but merely to engage in meaningful dialogue with our island’s children to help them make informed decisions.

Ann Pitcaithley is the current coordinator of Careers in Peacemaking, a project of Maui Peace Action. For more information, see the Web site: www.mauipeace.org

Source: http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/523102.html?nav=18

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Recruiter misled students, a Navy investigation finds

Recruiter misled students, a Navy investigation finds

Because of the Kapolei High case, students’ information will be held unless they approve

By Susan Essoyan

POSTED: 01:30 a.m. HST, Aug 31, 2009

A military recruiter accused of using false promises to lure two Kapolei students into enlisting in the Navy has been pulled off recruiting and given shipboard duty after a Navy investigation concluded he had misled the boys.

Partly in response to that case, Hawaii’s public schools will no longer give student contact information and test scores on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery to recruiters unless students go to a recruiting station off campus and sign a form expressly requesting the information be given.

“There were cases that came to our attention, and we started investigating and came up with a consistent statewide procedure to protect student privacy,” said Helen Uyehara, information specialist in the Department of Education’s Information Resource Management Branch. “No information through ASVAB will go to the recruiter.”

In the past, the decision was left to the schools, and most of them automatically released student information and scores to military recruiters, which was the default option if no preference was indicated. Such information included a student’s phone number, address, Social Security number and career interests.

The issue of student recruiting surfaced locally in June 2008 when the Star-Bulletin reported on the case of Cory Miyasato and Joseph Mauga Jr., who said they were railroaded into joining the Navy under false pretenses. They were about to graduate from Kapolei High School when a fast-talking recruiter persuaded them to enlist, promising them a free four-year college education before going to sea, among other things.

The recruiter, Petty Officer 1st Class Jimmy Pecadeso, contacted them by phone because he had already been banned from the Kapolei campus for his questionable tactics. The boys and their parents appealed to the Navy Recruiting Command to void their contracts and investigate the recruiter.

The investigation concluded the recruiter was at fault, according to a July 31 letter from K.S. Southwell, head of the Congressional and Special Inquiries Branch of the Office of the Inspector General, Navy Recruiting Command.

“Misrepresentation or deception shall not be tolerated,” Southwell wrote in the letter, which was sent to state Sen. Mike Gabbard, who has been acting as an advocate for Miyasato. “The allegation that his Navy recruiter misled Mr. Miyasato concerning his enlistment entitlements was substantiated.”

The letter continued, “As you are aware, Mr. Miyasato has been released from the Navy’s Delayed Entry Program. We can also report that the Navy recruiter in this case has transferred out of recruiting and is currently assigned to an afloat command aboard a naval vessel.”

Last week the boys’ mothers were relieved that the recruiter had been found at fault. Both boys are doing well at Leeward Community College.

“I finally feel some peace, closure,” said Miyasato’s mother, Jayne Arasaki. “I’m so glad that we made a difference and that policies have been changed. That’s an added benefit.”

Arasaki and Mauga’s mother, Gloria, testified before the Board of Education late last year, along with other teachers and community advocates concerned about recruiter tactics and access to student information.

In January the father of a Konawaena High School student also contacted the Board of Education, incensed that his son’s personal information had been released to a Marine recruiter who he said used “unscrupulous methods” to try and enlist his son. The parent had filled out an “opt-out” form to shield his son from recruiter contact under the No Child Left Behind Act. But that form does not apply to the ASVAB test.

Starting this year, however, no student information should go to recruiters through the ASVAB test because schools will no longer release it. In addition, students will no longer have to sign the Privacy Act statement on the test that is normally required by the military before tests are scored, Uyehara said. Now students will have to go to a recruiting office and sign a form if they wish to have their scores and contact information released to recruiters.

“It puts the parents and student in the driver’s seat,” said Kyle Kajihiro, area program director of the American Friends Service Committee, which had lobbied the school board to respect student privacy. “This will benefit all the students in public education in the state of Hawaii.”

“I think this is probably one of the most far-reaching policies of its kind in the U.S.,” he said. “The key principle is prior informed consent. That’s the gold standard in terms of ensuring that whatever happens with someone’s information, they know ahead of time and they give permission for it to be released.”

Joe Stephenson, ASVAB program coordinator for the Honolulu Military Entrance Processing Station, said the test is a useful tool for all students. Most students who take the free test are not interested in military careers.

“Roughly a good 70 to 75 percent of the people who take ASVAB want to go to college or a trade or technical school,” he said. “Only about 9 percent indicate they want to use their scores to go into the military. It’s a great assessment tool, academically and occupationally. It compares them to their peers nationwide.”

Both public and private schools offer it. McKinley High School plans to give the test on Sept. 10 on a voluntary basis to students who have permission from their parents as well as teachers, said Jenny Taufa, career coordinator at the school.

“We encourage students to take the ASVAB mainly for career exploration,” she said. “It’s a useful career tool, even if you don’t want to go into the military, because it measures all of their strengths. It is the only test that really measures everything, including mechanical strengths.”

Students, parents can block information report

Sept. 15 is the deadline for public school students to submit “opt-out” forms to prevent disclosure of their contact information to recruiters under the No Child Left Behind Act.

The form can be signed by the student or a parent or guardian and is available on the Department of Education’s Web site, doe.k12.hi.us.

Opt-out requests will be accepted at any time, but the department is required to turn over a list of secondary students’ names, addresses and phone numbers to the Inter-Service Recruitment Council in mid-October.

Source: http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20090831_Recruiter_misled_students_a_Navy_investigation_finds.html

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Don’t let your tax dollars fund violent military recruitment video games!

This action alert was sent by AFSC’s Youth and Militarism Program.  I wonder if these military recruitment video simulation games also simulate the horror, carnage and haunting memories of real war.  Somehow, I doubt it.

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Don’t let your tax dollars fund violent military recruitment video games!

The Army has spent over $21 million on recruiting tools that use gaming technology, including life sized video games and game consoles shaped like Hummers and Blackhawk Helicopters.

In the travelling Virtual Army Experience (VAE) and the Philadelphia based Army Experience Center, youth as young as 13 years old, are encouraged to play violent military video games. These games glamorize soldiers’ experiences and leave out information on the challenges people face when they enlist. These centers may be billed as education hubs but they don’t include conversations about the financial, physical or emotional costs of war.

Last month, the House Armed Services Committee commended the Army “for using game technology and other high-tech systems to reach out to and communicate with America’s youth.” Only you can set Congress straight. Tell your members of Congress to discontinue the Virtual Army Experience and Army Experience Center. These centers are pilot programs and if you don’t speak out, Congress will probably fund more of them.

American Friends Service Committee and other organizations are joining hands to work against the Virtual Army Experience and Army Experience Center. Here are ways you can participate.

Email or Call your member of Congress
Congressional staffers value personal messages over form letters. Please:

  • Mention that you are a constituent;
  • Explain why you care about this issue;
  • Ask your representative to initiate and /or support initiatives to defund the Virtual Army Experience and Army Experience Center;
  • Thank your member of Congress for his or her attention to this issue.

Immediate or Long-term Actions

Community Meetings
This issue needs more attention, especially since these centers have been praised by Congress and could possibly receive more money in the future. Hold a community meeting to educate your neighbors about these centers.

Boycott VAE and Army Experience Center Locations
Your money talks. The mobile VAE is exhibited at popular events around the country. When the VAE comes to your area, organize a boycott of the event and let the event organizers know why the boycott is happening. The Philadelphia based AEC is located at the Franklin Mills Mall (a Simon mall). If you live in the area, organize a boycott of this mall and write The Simon Property Group to let them know about your decision. (Email: http://www.simon.com/about_simon/sbv/contact_us.aspx)

Meeting with your member of Congress
You may be able to meet with your members of Congress on a Monday or Friday when they are in your home state of during a Congressional recess period. If a meeting with your member is not possible, meet with a local staff member who covers defense issues. AFSC can provide a sheet on conducting a meeting.

Get media attention
The media has cast the Virtual Army Experience and Army Experience Center in a positive light. They haven’t discussed the negative moral and ethical implications of using video games to recruit youth. Send local print, radio and television media a press release on your meeting with Congress or any community meetings about this issue. You might also consider inviting the media with you to your Congressional meeting but make sure this is alright with the office first.

Send a statement to your local community radio station
Many community radio stations will read public service announcements over the air for free so send them a statement signed by organizations or individuals in your community. You may also be able to find a local show that can highlight this topic. Try shows that cover youth and/or local issues, national politics, or social change in general.

Sign the petition to shut down the Army Experience Center
A regional coalition of organizations and individuals are collaborating to oppose the Army Experience Center, which uses violent video games and does not contextualize these experiences. You can read and sign the petition they have created here:

http://www.ipetitions.com/petitions/shutdowntheaec/

More details on the Virtual Army Experience and Army Experience Center:

The Army launched the $9.8 million Virtual Army Experience (VAE) in 2007 as a mobile exhibit featuring Up-Armored Hummers and Blackhawk Helicopter simulator stations with M4 Rifles and M249 Squad Automatic Weapons realistically mounted on the vehicles. The 19,500 sq. foot exhibit also features numerous consoles where young people can play the taxpayer funded America’s Army computer game. The VAE travels throughout the country and is exhibited at events where large numbers of youth can be found, like music festivals, air shows and expos.

The $12 million Army Experience Center launched in August 2008 at a 14,500 sq. foot facility in Philadelphia’s Franklin Mills Mall. It has similar components as the Virtual Army Experience but is a pilot program to determine if video games and simulators that youth are familiar with should be the future of military recruiting and the army should open additional centers around the country.

Oskar Castro
Program Analyst for Youth & Militarism
Office – 215-241-7046
Cell – 267-266-8745
www.youth4peace.org

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