Reply #43: Well... this is going to be interesting.

[qwlauren35]

At the school where I taught last year, JROTC was an incredibly strong program that promoted discipline, self-reliance and teamwork. The kids wore their uniforms with pride, developed a sense of decent grooming, and overall, had the respect of their classmates.

I think it is perfectly acceptable for a school district to make a decision about JROTC.

However, I have no doubt that once other school systems and parents around the country see this take place, they will fight to keep JROTC in other school systems.

As for discrimination... I've heard people say that they wish JROTC discriminated MORE. Our JROTC often took students with severe disabilities who would never make it into the US Army. I sense that there may be somewhat of a disconnect between JROTC and the US Army on a few issues, for the very fact that these are children.

It should be interesting if the next big thing in SF is to initiate a protest/boycott against the Marines Toys for Tots program. And it would be really interesting to see if SF banned the military from coming in to aid with a natural disaster because of their discriminatory policies.

We have incredibly strong laws in place against rape... but it still happens because we have cultural biases that are stronger than our laws. And from what I've heard, it's an unspoken reality in the military. Some guys are NEVER, EVER going to accept women in military service. In all likelihood, even if the military put in place a "No Tolerance" policy against gay-bashing, it will continue for the same reasons. Doesn't make it right, but anyone who thinks it will go away lives in a dreamworld.

So, JROTC will go away in SF, and some kids will definitely lose as a result of this policy. But I have no doubt that this will simply kick off another backlash to preserve institutions that the majority believes do more good than harm.

Perhaps someone will post data on high school drop-out rates in comparable schools with and without JROTC programs. I've seen the good it does. And I'm not sure there is proof that the program itself discriminates against gay students.