Military Recruitment

By David Swanson

Here is the perfect Mother's Day gift for your mother, your mother in law, your grandmothers, and in fact for the men in their lives as well - who ought to be shamed into action. Joan Wile has published a book called "Grandmothers Against the War: Getting Off Our Fannies and Standing Up for Peace." As far as I know, this is her first book. It is very much an account of ordinary people doing extraordinary things. If more people did the same, we would put an end to war.

By David Swanson

Citizens in a number of school districts around the country have dramatically reduced military recruitment through simple procedures that anyone can do. No marching or civil disobedience is required. You might, however, have to chat with a principal at a football game or write a couple of letters. Why aren't more of us doing more of this?

By David Swanson

During an endless airplane trip from hell yesterday that included an extended stay in Chicago's scenic O'Hare airport, I had the misfortune to read one book about where our tax dollars go and another book that was, indirectly, about where they do not go.

Nick Turse has done something pretty amazing in producing an entertaining account of the almost limitless variety of ways in which our money is wasted by what he calls the military industrial technological entertainment academic media corporate matrix, or "The Complex" for short, and that's the book's title. This mammoth beast is funded by about half of your tax dollar combined with the borrowing of trillions of dollars, largely from China, a nation which - incidentally - represents the closet thing to a military rival to the United States and which as late as September 10, 2001, was being hyped by right-wing pundits as the Enemy, and which is about as much a threat to the so-called American "homeland" as Switzerland is.

I would like to find out if there are any students or parents at Albemarle High School (or other county schools) who are organizing any counter recruitment activities. Please contact Liz Olmsted at olmstedperry@comcast.net

By Anne Krueger, San Diego Union Tribune

Blackwater Worldwide officials have announced they are pulling their application to build a training center on an 842-acre site in the East County community of Potrero.

The North Carolina-based company dropped off a letter to the county planning department today notifying officials of their decision not to pursue plans for the project on a former chicken and cattle ranch.

Firm Wants to Build Military Training Facility in Louisa
By Christina Mora, NBC 29

A private military training firm has its eyes on 1,000 acres of Louisa County land. The group wants to build a training center equipped with firing ranges, driving courses, and shooting houses.

It could boost the county's economy, but there are still a lot of hurdles to jump. The Cincinnati-based O'Gara Group currently has a training facility in Danville, but they want to expand it. That's where Louisa comes in.

By Rian Chandler

During the Border Patrol recruitment at the Omni, about 15 activists infiltrated, gathered in the Border Patrol conference area, and carried out a mock arrest of fellow activist when they could not produce indigenous identification. The act temporarily halted recruitment activities and drew attention to the issues surrounding our failed immigration policies for all of those present. It also successfully drew the attention of the media and was covered by Channel 19 news, WINA radio, and The Daily Progress.

Here is the link to Channel 19 new's coverage.

Group Protests Border Patrol Recruitment
Reporter: Jummy Olabanji
Email Address: jummy.olabanji@wcav.tv

January 26, 2008

United States Border Patrol agents were in Charlottesville Saturday.

By David Swanson

Check out this letter I just received by Email:

The lurch was first mentioned in Dante's "Purgatorio," and I had always wanted to go there. What can I say? I'm an adventurer. That's one reason I joined the military in the first place. Well, that and all the lies about money and college and not having to serve in Iraq. When I'd completed my third tour in Iraq and they stop-lossed me, it felt at least as bad as a ticket to purgatory. How could I stay still longer in this real world hell?

A Starting Guide for Using the Selective Service System to Your Advantage
By Bob Hoffman
November 2001

A time of war is a time when people organize to kill each other. WE are now at war. Killing people has profound meaning and lasting consequences in our lives and compels us to reflect on what we truly believe about the value of war.

Although there is presently no draft, every male within 30 days before and 29 days after their 18th birthday, must register with the Selective Service System (SSS). This is the law. Ordinarily this would not cause much concern but in time of war there is enormous anxiety for both teenagers and their parents. Each time you hear or see the word “troops” it means YOU the teenager. As more ground troops are called up and as the war extends in time and scope there is the chance that the draft may be reinstated.

By Bob Hoffman
January 2003

If a Draft is reinstated the young men of America will be ambushed by the Selective Service System (SSS). If you are between the ages of 18 and 26 YOU are the target. The SSS regulations set the trap and the Draft is "lying in wait" for YOU. What this means is that when the draft is reinstated you will not have enough time to exercise your legal rights for exemption from military service. Therefore it is necessary to prepare any claims for exemptions from military service NOW.

The SSS Plan

Follow this SSS Draft scenario. First is the call to mobilize. Followed the next day by a lottery and within 2 weeks the first group called will receive induction notices (SSS Form 252). This notice is a letter ordering you to report to the Army examining center where, if you pass the physical, you are put on a bus and sent to boot camp. If you do not pass the physical you go home and are reclassified 4F.This scheme works fast and simple. But wait a minute, when do you get a chance to know and exercise your legal right to claim an exemption from military service? In the letter (SSS Form 252) that you received ordering you to report for induction into the Army there are two important pieces of information. First, you are ordered to report for induction within the next 10 days and secondly in the last paragraph on the back of the letter it says, “You may file a claim for postponement or reclassification at any time prior to the date you are scheduled to report for induction. Information is available from any selective service area office or through information booklets furnished for registrants at all U.S. Post Offices, consulates and embassies. Do not report to the MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) after you have filed a claim in writing with the area office. You will be advised by the area office of additional information you need to provide in support of your claim, and the procedures to be followed for submitting documentation”. This is the first time you are told that you could ask to be reclassified. The letter does not inform you of what classifications are available. It merely states you could be reclassified. To find out what your options are you would have to go to the local Draft board, local post office or write to the headquarters of the SSS and request an information booklet to find out what reclassification is all about and get Registrants Claim Form (SSS Form 9).