JROTC Textbooks Are Biased and Bigoted
The American Friends Service Committee commissioned an important academic study of the Army JROTC curriculum, entitled, "Making Soldiers in the Public Schools." This factual report is especially useful to give activists background on the issue, and to share with school board members and curricular committees who are re-evaluating JROTC programs.
What follows are some excerpts from the JROTC textbooks themselves.
JROTC SAYS...
"Words of (Military) Wisdom," from JROTC textbooks
Bigotry:
"Fortunately for the Army, the government policy of pushing the Indians farther west then wiping them out was carried out successfully." -LET 3 (Leadership Education and Training, U.S. Army JROTC textbook, 3rd year), p. 185.
"One must be aware of cultural differences between peoples. For instance, Americans generally place a high value on human life. This may not necessarily be the case in other cultures or countries that might be willing to gamble lives for political or economic gains, for example certain of the terrorist-sponsoring nations of the Middle East." -Naval Science 4, Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, MD, 1990 (4th year NJROTC), p. 141.
"[T]he best way to avoid AIDS is to avoid illicit drug use and casual sex, especially with multiple partners and homosexual or bisexual individuals." -Naval Science 1, p. 234. Note: There are no risky groups, only risky behavior. The text doesn't mention condoms.
Guns:
"The study of marksmanship...is intended to improve self-confidence and self-discipline." -LET 1, p. 246. Note: Army Regulation 145-2, Appendix P, orders JROTC instructors to encourage students to join the National Rifle Association.
"Modern advocates of gun control, registration, and the banning of gun ownership should at least be aware that their efforts, well intentioned as they may be, are probably unconstitutional." -Careers in Aerospace, Center for Aerospace Doctrine, Research, and Education, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, 1985 (Air Force JROTC), p. 76.
Recruitment:
"...this chapter will give you the four-step process needed to enlist in the military." -LET 2, p. 220.
"Recruiting Office personnel should be invited to the annual N[avy] JROTC military ball. The recruiters are good people to get to know. They can answer many questions about the Navy...." -Naval Science 1, p. 90.
Loyalty, Drill, and Discipline:
"Soldiers are trained to obey orders instantly, without questioning them." -LET 2, p. 217.
"Respect for authority and discipline go hand in hand, but the first one to be acquired must be discipline. Self-discipline involves full and voluntary acceptance of authority." -Leadership Education 1, Air Training Command, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, 1989. 1st year AFJROTC, p. 65.
"When troops react to command rather than thought, the result is more than just a good-looking ceremony or parade. Drill has been and will continue to be the backbone of military discipline." -LET 1, p. 87.
"Among the traits of a good follower, loyalty is at the top of the list. This means loyalty to those above us in the chain of command, whether or not we agree with them." -Naval Science 1, p. 24.
Viet Nam:
"At the same time, the United States become [sic] involved in the war in Vietnam and drafted large numbers of young people who seemed to be more interested in reforming America than in fighting for it. ....In addition, despite the activities of radicals, the American people in general knew that the military establishment had been blamed for things which were not the military's fault." -Careers in Aerospace, p. 66.
These quotations were originally researched by Project YANO, P.O. Box 230157, Encinitas, CA 92023, 760-634-3604, projyano@aol.com. |