The National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth (NNOMY)

Marcy Winograd of Codepink interviews protesting UCSB students, Kate Connell of Truth in Recruitment , and Michael Cervantes of Ventura Veterans for Peace regarding protest on Thursday October 17, 2024 at a Military Industry Job Fair on campus. The following text is a transcription from the radio interview conducted by Marcy Winograd.

To listen to audio program, go to KPFK Archive, Type in Search "Rebel Alliance News" and click "play" for Friday, October 18, 2024 6:00 pm It Starts at: 31 minutes

KPFK's Rebel Alliance News: Military contractors Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and Raytheon were not on hand Thursday at the career fair at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Perhaps they got the message, war profiteers are not welcome on campus. But four other lower-profile weapons contractors did show up, and KPFK's Marcy Winograd reports on the protests outside the UCSB career fair.

As students, many of them dressed professionally. Suits, ties, dresses, heels, waited in line to enter the UCSB career fair. Protesters handed them a flyer. UCSB career fair survival guide. We know you want a killer job, but do you want a job that kills?

Protesting UCSB students chanting: America where's the moral (undecipherable). Over your weapons of mass destruction.

Students chanting outside the career fair. Inside, weapons and surveillance contractors tried to recruit students. The list of military contractors included two with local offices within a few miles from campus.

Teledyne Flir, supplier of armed drones to Israel, surveillance systems to Border Patrol. Toyon Research, seller of A.I. technologies for electronic warfare. Also on hand were Redwire Space, recipient of almost a billion dollars in Department of Defense funding to "modernize decision-making processes for combat operations." And ITT Inc., supplier of parts for Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jets bombing Gaza.

Marcy Winograd: So you are one of the organizers of this protest at the UCSB career fair. Why are you here?

Student activist: We're here because several military contractors, as well as the military itself, is actively recruiting on our campus, actively recruiting the next generation to fight for American imperialism and greed and colonization abroad and we can't stand for it.

Marcy Winograd: What kind of reaction are you getting?

Student activist: It's been relatively quiet from the student side, those who are going into the building, where these companies are recruiting. But we are heartened to see community members here, faculty, grad students, undergrads coming together to put on a display so far. And then we're going to get started with the speeches and hopefully make some noise.

Marcy Winograd: When you think about it, the university inviting a company like Teledyne Flir, which provides Israel with armed drones and weapons for its genocide in Gaza.
It takes a lot of nerve, right? So bold in the face of this genocide to elevate a company like that. Your thoughts.

NOTE: NNOMY's posting of the article about the U.S. Army Reserve's "Minuteman Campaign," ironically featuring a young woman, is for informational purposes only to the counter-recruitment community and not an endorsement of the program.

August 20, 2024 / Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Oposnow / U.S. Army - The U.S. Army Reserve's Minuteman Scholarship has become a significant tool in recruiting and developing future military leaders. Two individuals deeply involved in this initiative, Jordyn Hoit, an ROTC cadet, and James Bernet, an Army Reserve Ambassador from Nevada, offer insight into how the scholarship shapes the lives of recipients and the broader community.

Jordyn Hoit, who grew up in Escondido, California, began considering her future as early as middle school. She initially aimed to attend a military academy like West Point but later decided that a traditional college experience was a better fit for her. This decision was influenced by her desire for independence and a more conventional college life, something she felt was not fully available at a service academy.

After scoring well on the ASVAB, Hoit was introduced to the Minuteman Scholarship by her recruiter who connected her with James Bernet. The scholarship was officially presented to her during a high school football game in Escondido, marking a significant milestone in her educational and military journey.

The Minuteman Scholarship provides full tuition or room and board, a monthly stipend, and the opportunity to serve as a commissioned officer in the Army Reserve. For Hoit, it allowed her to pursue her educational goals while maintaining a commitment to military service. She just completed her first year at Hofstra University, where she is majoring in criminology. Post-graduation, she plans to join the FBI, a career path where military and law enforcement experience is highly valued.