Counter-recruitment Resources

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DOWNLOAD THE KIT

The kit is a catalog of basic material useful to educating young people and school personnel about the realities of military enlistment and war. The catalog also includes some information on alternatives to enlistment, as well as items written for organizers seeking to reach out to local schools.

All of the material in this catalog was carefully reviewed for relevancy and accuracy as of the summer of 2014. A task force of knowledgeable organizers did the research. It does not include all of the available literature on this topic because much of what exists is out of date or is no longer being produced by the original sources. Consequently, we focused on identifying items that we felt were basic and most useful for effective organizing and educating. New items may be added to future kits as they become available.

HOW TO USE THE KIT

It’s very simple: Read the descriptions in the catalog and then go to the links that are listed to view or download documents that are relevant to your local organizing. In some cases, you will be able to reprint them for local reproduction; or, you will be able to order copies in bulk if they are offered by the original source.

*Items are specially marked to indicate if they have content that is not optimized for what the federal courts have allowed or if they are included in the catalog for other special purposes.

HOW THE KIT IS ORGANIZED

The catalog groups items into various subject categories: (Click subjects to see content)

Catalog of Counter-recruitment Materials return to list

Most of the material is optimized to meet legal equal access standards for distribution by non-students inside schools (i.e., it only addresses the realities of military enlistment and war, or presents alternative options).

NOTES:

*An item marked with an asterisk (*) has some content that may fall outside the legal boundaries that apply to general distribution by NONstudents inside schools. Some activists may have used the item with no problem, but it is possible for schools to deny NONstudents equal access to distribute the item.

**An item marked with a double asterisk (**) is not intended for general distribution to students inside schools. It is designed for distribution to school staff or offered here to inform organizers.

Counter-Recruitment   return to list

Do You Know Enough to Enlist? (brochure): Lists the typical reasons young people enlist and challenges those assumptions. -

Before You Enlist (video): Short video (14 minutes) exploring the dangers and false assumptions about the military. DVD disc can be ordered for $5 from: AFSC Chicago, Attn: Darlene Gramigna, 637 S. Dearborn, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL  60605; phone 312-427-2533; email dgramigna@afsc.org.

The Military’s Not Just A Job; It’s Eight Years of Your Life – ENGLISH (brochure): General counter-recruitment brochure for young people, addresses the typical reasons people enlist, questions to ask a recruiter, etc.
Order in bulk: https://www.warresisters.org/store/flyer-brochure/military-not-just-job-its-8-years-your-life

The Military’s Not Just A Job; It’s Eight Years of Your Life – SPANISH (brochure): General counter-recruitment brochure for young people, addresses the typical reasons people enlist, questions to ask a recruiter, etc.
Order in bulk: https://www.warresisters.org/store/flyer-brochure/military-not-just-job-its-8-years-your-life

Aviso A Los Padres – SPANISH (brochure): Counter-recruitment brochure for parents in Spanish.  Addresses topics that may concern Spanish-speaking parents whose son or daughter is considering military enlistment. 

Thinking of Joining the US Military to Gain Citizenship?English/Spanish: Intended for non-citizens looking to join the military for immigration benefits; to let them know what to be aware of immigration-wise before approaching a recruiter.

GI Rights Hotline Cards (business card): A card with essential information about service members’ rights and contact information for the GI Rights Hotline. (PDF)

Know Before You Go . . . ’Cause There’s No Reset Button (brochure)*: This brochure breaks down the enlistment contract and life in the military and provides new stats about sexual assault in the military, racial disparities in becoming an officer, and stop-loss.

What Is Nonviolence (brochure)*: Actually a promotional piece for the War Resisters League but has a good explanation of non-violence. Good for peace clubs.

Military Recruitment: Information for School Guidance Counselors (brochure)**: Adapted from an essay by Titus Peachy, a Mennonite. Advice on helping students understand all their options. Geared to school counselors.

Stg. Abe: The Honest Recruiter (multi-page): The enlistment agreement of the U.S. Armed Forces pointing out many snares along the way.

Team Member Guidebook (Draft) – tabling section (multi-page)**: Although in draft form, the chapter on tabling is very useful. For organizers.

The Post 9/11 GI Bill (brochure): Explores some of the “gotchas” with the new GI Bill.

The Ground Truth (video)*: (2006) Addresses issues soldiers face after returning from Iraq; e.g., PTSD and inability to meld back into "normal" society. Personal interviews with veterans and family members/friends.  Contains some profanity and violent scenes.  We suggest you give a copy to classroom instructor to preview for appropriate classroom setting. Trailers online, rent ($3.99) or buy (Amazon has for $10).

Voices of War (video): Documentary of experiences by family members and troops from Iraq and Afghanistan

Voces de la guerra (vídeo): Documental sobre la esperencia de familias y sus soldados durante las guerras de Irak y Afghanistan

 

Non-military Career, College and Service Alternatives return to list

It’s My Life (90-page booklet: Provides ideas and guidance for youth looking for career paths that are alternatives to military service.

Great Careers and College Money Without Joining the Military (flyer): Presents some ideas for job training, money for college, job placement opportunities without joining the military. (PDF)

Careers in Peacemaking and Social Change (brochure): Discusses how to make a career choice that is compatible with both income needs and ethical values.

A Few Examples of Careers in Peacemaking – English/Spanish  (flyer): Suggests ways that different careers can be used to work for peace and social justice, briefly notes skills/education needed for each career.

Financial Aid Resources (multi-page): List of possible sources for college financial aid, including national sources and some specific to California. Can be used as a model for local groups to substitute local resources.

Alternative Training and Job Placement Resources (multi-page): List of employment training and placement programs for youth in San Diego County. Can be used as a model for local groups to substitute local resources.

 

Gender and the Military return to list

What Every Girl Should Know About the US Military (brochure): Written for young women and featuring the voices of women veterans, talking about some of the problems for women in the US Military. (To be updated 2013)

So You Want to Be a Man? – English/Spanish (flyer): Ways to “become a man” without joining the military.

The Invisible War (video)*: 2012 documentary that investigates the epidemic of rape within the U.S. Military. Personal stories of several men and women victims of sexual assault in the military.

 

JROTC return to list

How JROTC Contributes to the School Funding Crisis (flyer)**: Explains how JROTC subsidy is calculated and why it becomes an added expense for schools. For organizers.

Is JROTC an Extra Expense for Local Schools? (flyer)**: Uses personnel budget from one school to illustrate how JROTC can cost more than other educational programs. For organizers.

 

Delayed Entry Program (DEP) return to list

Signed Up for the Military and Want to Get Out? (flyer): Explains how the DEP Program works and how to get out of it.

 

Privacy  (Opt Out Forms/ ASVAB etc.) return to list

JAMRS Fact Sheet and Opt Out Form (flyer): Explains the Joint Advertising and Market Research & Studies (JAMRS) database with a form for opting out of the survey and recruitment databases.

Best Practices for ASVAB (multi-page)**: Points out the fact that, unlike career exploration tools developed by third parties, the ASVAB does not automatically protect student information. It explains how the different options work with the ASVAB test. Geared to school counselors. (5/2013)

Source: National Network Opposing the Militarisation of Youth

 

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