The mission of the Wylie East High School news site is to inform, educate and entertain readers. Established Jan. 13, 2011. Principal: Mrs. Tiffany Doolan; Adviser: Ms. Kimberly Creel

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The mission of the Wylie East High School news site is to inform, educate and entertain readers. Established Jan. 13, 2011. Principal: Mrs. Tiffany Doolan; Adviser: Ms. Kimberly Creel

Blue Print

The mission of the Wylie East High School news site is to inform, educate and entertain readers. Established Jan. 13, 2011. Principal: Mrs. Tiffany Doolan; Adviser: Ms. Kimberly Creel

Blue Print

One talk=one life

Military recruiters need to back off

Warm ups, class instruction, notes and assignments are the things I missed and it wasn’t even my fault. As if school wasn’t stressful enough, add in military recruiters hounding you to sign your life away.

It all started with one conversation during lunch. Anytime you talk to a recruiter, whether it be Army, Marines, Navy or Air Force, they ask you for your name, weight, height and interests in the military.

You may not realize it at first, but as you give them your information they are carefully keeping track of every word and it comes across as an interrogation. Why do they have to know all of your personal history if you are just visiting with them to get information on what they can provide you in your future?  After hearing, “We will call you a few days and set up your interview,” you’re left questioning yourself. Did I just join the Army? What interview? You can ignore the phone calls but that only makes it worse.

I’ve been called many times by the recruiters during school and on weekends at work. It’s distracting in both settings. Why must they call so many times after I’ve told them many times that I’m not sure whether I want to commit to or not? On top of the billion phone calls, don’t think for a second that’s all they do. The recruiters even go to a point to pull you out of classes to interview you and have you take a practice ASVAB. It’s an intimidating atmosphere to walk in and have two recruiters, some students, and testing screens welcoming you to sit down. Don’t get me wrong, some recruiters are understanding and respect you wanting to wait before you take your test. Then there are those recruiters that speak to you as if they are drill sergeants. It’s a terrible feeling.

Recruiters and recruiting offices should realize that coming to a high school and hounding students can cause a big distraction and could affect their grades, and even their life. While questioning students there needs to be a line that should not be crossed. If a student decides against joining, then it should mean no and not “you should really rethink your decision and allow the military to be a part of your life.”

Joining the military is a life changing decision. In order to make the right decision, recruiters should give students time to think clearly about their decision without being barked at as if they’re already a part of the Army.

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