MASON CITY – NorthIowaToday.com has been made aware that military recruiters are visiting schools in Mason City and pressuring minor children to sign contracts to join the armed forces.
At least one armed forces recruiter has been to Mason City High School in recent days and was allowed to make a presentation to gym classes. Students were then put through some kind of military exercise or drill. The recruiter took names and phone numbers of children and has placed text messages and phone calls to them.
There does not appear to be an attempt by the Mason City School District to inform parents that these activities would take place. A call to Mason City High School seeking answers from Principal Dan Long was not answered, and a message was left for an Associate Principal.
NIT sent the following email to Mason City and Clear Lake School Superintendent Anita Micich Monday:
from: Matt Marquardt <northiowatoday@gmail.com>
to: Anita Micich <amicich@masoncityschools.org>
date: Mon, Sep 8, 2014 at 12:01 PM
Good morning Anita. I would like to know all the names and branches of all military recruiters that you are allowing into the Mason City and Clear Lake schools. I would like to know if the School District has performed background checks on these men. I would like to know what schools and grades they are making presentations to. I would like to know if they are supervised by school staff. I would like to know the substance of the presentations they are making to students. I am further aware that the recruiters are putting some of the children through military-style drills in gym class. I am aware that military recruiters are in the High School, and I know that they have visited schoolchildren at the other grade schools. I would further like to know if the claims the recruiters are making to the schoolchildren are verified or fact-checked ahead of time by school personnel.
Your full transparency on this matter and timely response is appreciated.
Matt Marquardt
NorthIowaToday.com Publisher
As someone who has substitute taught at both clear lake and mason city in the past couple of years during the army recruiter days I can tell you it is a boring day. Most of the kids barely participated. The ones that did are ones that already had an interest in the military. The drills are a little challenging and he does tell them a little about the recruiting office and hands out papers to the kids. Most are thrown away and the kids steal the pens. All in all not that big of a deal.
My daughter said they were told it was optional if you wanted to do the military activity in gym or not.
She said in her class no one was pressured at all and only about 4 kids did it. I don’t see a problem with what happened in her class.
The only problem is coming from peter and that doesn’t count because he is anti everything American.
What a flaming hypocrite #maybe. You said it yourself: you enlisted after high school, but a clerical error yanked you out of Basic…only to wait 12 years to re-enlist. Why did you wait so long, if not to prove my point?
I choose to wait because I wasn’t ready but there are others that are ready. YOU don’t need to decide for anybody, that is up to them to decide. If the military chooses to show teenagers what they could have in the military that is perfectly acceptable because in the long run it is up to the TEENAGER what they want to do, not you.
Ok, then it’s up to the 18 year old soldier if he wants to order that drink from the bar, and it is up to that 16 year old girl if she wants to marry that 34 year old guy. It is also up to the 13 year old kid if he wants to drive that car, or buy that gun. Sounds fair to me, since it’s pretty much up to everyone themselves to decide what they want to do. I think I’ll be joining the Army now at 43. Cool.
I know that you have a thing for law, you would rather not have it. The drinking and the driving is all a law so your points there are mute. If you want to join the army the cutoff is 45 years old so you do have 2 years left to join.
Society sets certain ages as appropriate (and legal) to perform various activities or gain certain priviliges. The point I believe myself, mediator and LVS were considering was whether age 18 is too young to enter into such a serious endeavor and contract as the Military. The addition of recent scientific studies advances the notion that 18 is too young, as brains and bodies are still developing. I’m not slamming the military, rule of law, or being un-American while I question this.
He can’t join. He tried. He didn’t meet army standards. Hence all the butthurt whining on NIT about it. He is all wind no storm.
Let me form a special renewable energy task force division. We’ll be small and elite like delta or seal, but when the villagers wake up, instead of seeing more rubble and death from drone strikes, they’ll see a 30′ wind turbine and an array of solar panels with a sign in English reading “plug in electrical devices here”. The rural Iowans, Georgians, Alabamans, will stand up and cheer. ( Bet u thought i was referring to middle east didnt u?) Fix our own damn situation first.
delusions of grandeurs
@maybe-wishful thinking.
I agree, it wouldn’t hurt half of these kids to do a few jumping jacks or push ups. Let the military be an example to a few kids as well.
The recruiters dont tell you the hell you go threw. And the military doesnt do the college stuff any more except the iowa guard where the state covers. I was in a support unit and we got into combat. We can go fight for our country at 18 but cant legally drink a beer.
A lot of people are in love with the “idea” of the military, but when it came to their actual service in the military, reflecting back on it…agree that it SUCKED. Being subjugated to asshole power trips by career soldiers, doing senseless non-logical tasks, being placed in questionable situations. Guys like #maybe are cheerleaders for the military because they gave themselves over to it, bought the story being sold, and now want to cash in on the glory portion promised.
My recruiter told me exactly how it was going to be, it was very hard both mentally and physically but I loved it and if I knew I would get hurt and not finish my 20 I would do it all over again. I am not the one that is brainwashed peter, if someone asks me how I liked it I will tell them. For an example when my son wanted to join I told him I will NOT talk him into it or out of it but I will tell him what to expect.
Your right they don’t tell you how bad it is. Even if they did most people can’t grasp how difficult it is. There is a reason people look at it as a brotherhood.
How many were under the age of 17? If none who cares they have been doing this for years. Did they have them do jumping jacks and push-ups in gym class? I hope they still exercise in gym class.
The only way a kid under 18 can join the military is with their parents consent. I had a friend that between his junior and senior year he joined the military but he went in the guard. If I remember right only 25% of the army is in a combat mode, the rest is all support but that doesn’t mean that support won’t see combat at some time. Peter seems to be leaning more and more to the communist side, each posting gets worse and worse.
Communist side? Communism is a form of philosophical-socio-economic-distribution of resources and labors. What does the age of entering into military service have to do with how a worker is paid in relation to his managers or whether land is distributed fairly and evenly amongst the classes?
So what is the problem, exactly? Do you think these people may be dangerous to our children? We live in a town where a large percentage of kids are on free and reduced lunch. I doubt their parents have saved any money for college for them. The military-active or reserves-would give them that option. If you don’t know someone personally in the military you may not have any idea what they have to offer.
How about looking it as a service they offer? A real hero entering the classroom.
So you think it’s okay to force kids into dangerous situations which can maim, torture (by causing psychological damage from killing someone), or possibly kill them, because they have no money? Have you ever seen Michael Moore’s movie Fahrenheit 911? The summation Michael was alluding to was that it’s the POOR who do the fighting for this country and pay the price. I’d rather see young people building Earthships for their community and liberating the country from foreign oil.
Force? Absolutely not.We still have a volunteer military. Not everyone who serves their country kills someone or is in a combat role. I am saying that we still need brave men and women to serve our country. And if you don’t want to go to college or have a way to pay for college, its an option.
Yes. I’d qualify it as a type of force when a young person with no money, no shelter, no food, no job, and non-supportive parents has little opportunity and finds themselves being offered 3 squares and a cot for donning the uniform and doing what the military tells them. Coercion and involuntary servitude exists on many levels in this so-called “Free Society”.
Michael Moore? Now there’s a real whack job. You’re a jerk for labeling members of our military the way you do. Most members of our military are some of the most productive and brightest members of our society. THEY VOLUNTEER. They do so to serve us and our great country and to defend the U.S. Constitution. It’s called service and selfless sacrifice. Get over it and move on. Quit tearing down that which is good.
Pretty sure Michael Moore is spot-on with his scathing commentary on the American Condition. I don’t doubt Defense has a role to play in the health of a Nation, however I do seriously question the application and embodiment of that Defense in the past and present years. The Department of Defense is not named The Department of ‘OFFENSE’ is it? It’s entirely permissible and healthy to discuss who is allowed to join the military and at what age.
Pretty sure moore is a whiny self serving greedy person who wants your money and wants you to think as he does.
If you are now worshipping moore then a phrase comes to mind, a fool and his money are easily parted.
I don’t “worship” Michael Moore. I find his work truthful and apropos to the times. Is there not a gun violence epidemic in this nation and did he not warn us of this in his documentary Bowling For Columbine? Maybe you should take a moment to actually view his work, or read his commentsry before you so missively dismiss him.
moore is nothing but a liar, just like his god omama and apparently like yours too. You believe everything the media tells you as gospel, if you actually check the facts you will see that gun violence is down everywhere except Chicago and they have the strictest gun laws in the nation.
Omama? Is that a typo or were you deliberately slurring his name? Surprised you haven’t used Obongo yet, or maybe you have on other posts. The letter N falls between the B & the M on the typical English keyboard so I cannot outright accuse you of racist sentiment, but I suspect it’s lurking.
Have you ever seen me slur the words of the traitor in chief? I may not use the term president in front of his name but I would never call him obongo and you know that perer. Yes it was a typo that I didn’t catch and thank you for trying to slam me because of it.
This is a subject that bothers me. Recruiters are huge liers. I was talked into joining at my junior year. They shouldnt be able to recruit until after graduating. I was a student who had a great year in football and wanted by multi colleges to play for them. Military is a big differace than college. Plus it wouldnt be the same with drills.
I could see this being offered as part of a job fair, where there were also college recruiters and industrial technology/trades offered for all to better understand.
Having our students better understand the people who protect and serve them makes a lot of sense, too.
I’ve also heard that the human brain isn’t done baking, as it were, until the late-mid twenties. That’s not to say that they can’t make mature decisions, just that their full personality/maturity hasn’t formed.
So if a LGBT person come in and talked to the kids would this get a story or only do we only look at people that defend out nation?
@JB-You people seem to want to make this about the military. The way I read it, it is about grade school kids who worship anything in a uniform. As long as it is not a cop.
Without knowing all the facts, I can’t give a personal opinion on the subject. From what information that is here I will say, minors cannot enter into a binding contract. I find it hard to believe that any recruiter, would be so hard up to try and sign up a minor. As for the exercise or drill that the HS gym class went through, it’s somewhat like what the marching bands go through when they train. It seems to me that there is a witch hunt going on, without knowing all the facts.
For hundreds of years young people have been joining the military with no problems, why is it now such a bad thing? If people like peter or others can’t handle the military that’s fine but why try to stop those that can handle it and wish to serve their country.
I agree with you 100%. A lot of people don’t stop to think what this country could be like if nobody stepped up to the plate.
@maybe-I am going to disagree with you on this one. For years they have been saying to a kid who does not behave “Go into the military, they will make a man out of you.” B.S., you take a kid who can’t perform in society and put him into the most regimented society there is and you are just setting them up to fail and it will follow them the rest of their lives. The need to finish school, grow up, and then make a adult decision.
What I said and what I believe are 2 different things. Take Israel for example, military service is a requirement for young kids but that is the way their society is and I think that is a good thing. What I said was some people should join at a young age and some shouldn’t. I joined right out of high school and while at basic they lost my paperwork so I had to start over, I decided to wait till I was ready which after a few years I was ready.
Basically, you proved my point exactly: You said you wanted to “wait until I was ready.” 30 years old is the age you entered the Army, you mentioned before. I’d say age 30 is about perfect in maturity and cognitive ability to enter into military service; physical capabilities are peak as well. I’d prolong the age span from 26-50, with waivers allowed for older people who can demonstrate capability. There could be a non-combat zone role to play for ages 21-25 if you wish.
@Philly-Going to disagree with you too here. If the person is eighteen he is old enough to vote and is also old enough to make his own decisions. Therefore if he wants to enlist that is his business. However, I do not agree with them going after middle school and high school kids and brainwashing them into joining. Our kids have a whole different lifestyle than the Israelis. They have to grow up fast, and ours have little or no responsibility.
No problem. I’m just disagreeing back. Demographically there are tens of millions of available bodies that fall between ages 26-50 to do the fighting. Age and wisdom are more vital than youth and inexperience. I wouldn’t doubt if most if the mistakes and ‘friendly fire’ casualties occurring we’re due to younger soldiers making poor decisions.
Here’s a general question which came to mind because of Philosophus’ post:
If you don’t have anyone under 26 serving in the military, what will you do with that age sector for jobs? The military life is tough, my son was in for 8 years and my wife served for 8, so I have some idea, but if not for the economic opportunities of that job, they wouldn’t be in the position they are now.
What would we do with so many untrained, uneducated, and low income? “Free” college?
@Mediator-I am not necessarily disagreeing with him on the age issue, but I also agree with you. I think eighteen might be to young for a lot of kids to go into the military. But, if they can vote they should be able to serve if they want. I also know a lot of young people that would not have been able to go to collage without assistance from the military. I believe in supporting our military who have served in combat, not so much the desk warmers.
Peters remark about friendly fire shows his ignorance. I was a result of friendly fire and I highly doubt a teenager was flying a warthog, mainly officers fly the jets. Do your research before opening your mouth peter, there is a verse in the bible that I am trying to abide by but it is difficult, Proverbs 26:4-14 says never argue with a fool otherwise it could make you out the fool too.
“Don’t argue with idiots because they will drag you down to their level and then beat you with experience.” —Greg King
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“Never argue with a fool; onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” —Mark Twain
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“Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.” —Proverbs 26:4 (King James version)
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Being on NIT, I’ve had to ABANDON ALL HOPE ALL YE WHO ENTER HERE many moons ago. So don’t feel so special #MAYBE. It’s too late.
I’ve given into it too, I argue with a fool a lot but I will try you not argue with you in the future.
Science has shown humans are still developing in mind and body until around age 26. High school kids have no real idea of what it means to kill or be killed. I find it immoral that military recruiters would descend upon maturing young people, especially in light of all the very real conflicts around the world. PT training is fine, but kids have no idea of what awaits should they enlist. It’s not a video game you can start over. Defense is for the mature.
Science has shown you huh, well let me tell you something, the way I am on the inside science has no clue. Just because you were not mature enough when you were 18 doesn’t mean others are the same way. You seem to find a lot of immoral stuff happening, that sounds like a personal problem to me.
Maybe: I dispute your saying “for hundreds of years…young people…no problems”. Many young people ended up DEAD before they saw age 18. Plus, the whole Jessica Lynch phenomena occurred because of young, poorly trained, immature soldiers entirely out of their element. The country simply shouldn’t exploit the youth in their prime of life. Leave the fighting to the old bastards…they’re the ones who start wars anyway. Age 26 and up: Final Answer.
I take it you were there, in the gym, during the class then, correct? You witnessed the exercises?
Please, enlighten me with your wisdom. You can choose to believe anything you like, but the fact is, the calls and text messages were made by the recruiter to minors in an attempt to convince them to join the military, either now or very soon. School officials have confirmed that the recruiter was in the MCHS gym during class.
This should not be allowed. Young people are way to impressionable for this kind of subtle pressure.
Agreed. Military is for people mature enough to understand the ramnifications of violence and mortality-especially political violence. I’ve always know the military was nefarious, but people are now finally agreeing with me.