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Introduction to Counter Recruitment Work

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Truth in Recruiting | Counter-recruitment

Counter-recruitment essentials

Counter recruitment (CR) takes many different forms. At its core the goal is to present alternative views to young people in order to "balance" the narrative of military recruiters' by discussing the realities of military service and how it could potentially effect their future lives.

Counter recruitment often means that people set up tables in high schools to pass out flyers and talk to students about the military and their options. "Truth in Recruiting" is a form of CR that often involves veterans (and other activists) sharing their experiences in classrooms. Other CR activities include: Opt-out campaigns, organizing against JROTC programs, protesting at recruiting stations and most importantly, providing information about alternatives to the military. To counter recruit, you have to know what you are up against and what is appealing about the military and militarism to young people.

Taking back our communities from militarism:

Community Action

Find out who is doing this work in your community:

Related Links:

Study Counter Recruitment:

Army of None: An activist's guide to combating military recruitment. Order from Amazon
A Self-Study Course for Truth In Recruiting Activists (Need Revision of this for NNOMY)
The New Yorkers' Guide to Military Recruitment in the 5 Boroughs
Guide to High School Leafleting

Downloads:

No Student Left Unrecruited, NYCLU

Information and Articles Online:

Truth in recruiting - Quaker House
counter-recruitment (archived) - Mission: Opposing the prevaricating predators

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Revised 08/20/2021

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Also Available:Helpful Resources for Organizing to Regulate Military Recruiting in K-12 Schools
PDF Format, 9 pages, includes links to webinars. August 2015

Counter-recruitment and the Campaign to Demilitarize Public Schools

Scott Harding and Seth Kershner are the authors of a new book, Counter-recruitment and the Campaign to Demilitarize Public Schools (Palgrave Macmillan). Drawing on dozens of interviews with activists conducted between 2012 and 2014, their book describes the various tactics used to demilitarize public schools in the United States. They also discuss case studies of successful organizing and advocacy to challenge the presence of military programs in educational settings. For more info, visit: http://www.palgrave.com.