Is it fair for college students to protest the presence of military recruiters on their campus?

Question

Serving in the military is voluntary. If someone chooses to volunteer and serve in the armed forces, does anybody have the right to try and stop them? Personally, I support anyone who chosses to do something that he or she wants provided that it is not unlawful or illegal. Fascists are known for not allowing people the right to choose, the freedom to express themselves. It is tyranny. Does anyone have any thoughts?

Answer 1

Well, I guess it is "fair" considering anybody has the right to protest about anything they want to. Is it right? No. Employers recruit on every college campus in America. The military is no different, and shouldnt be treated any differently than any other employer that wants to recruit college students. College students do not have to listen to what the recruiters have to say, but the recruiters should have access. ESPECIALLY considering higher education is, in part, government funded. I would say that gives the military a little nudge up on the priority for on campus recruiting.

Answer 2

Since I am a disabled veteran I have some strong views about those who protest the military. Honestly, I can't see why it's wrong for military recruiters to talk to students, especially thsoe that have an interest in serving this country. If you don't want to join you don't have to talk to them.

It's sad that people are willing to go so far to stop others from serving their country. A lot of it's due to lack of information, or misinformation from the media. You watch TV and think that's all there is to it. A lot of students on my college campus opposed the war and even having military students - let alone recruiters on campus! They were trying to invoke their will on others. And when you stopped to ask them why they feel the way they do - why they are so vehemently opposed, all they have to say is "I just do."

So no, since recruiters from all other fields are allowed on school campuses, it would at the very least be discrimination against military recruiters to ban them.

Answer 3

I agree that its OK to protest the presence of military recruiter on a campus. The military is an ugly beast and persuading or luring such young minds into something that recruiters can only paint a glamouros image of is unfair to the young mind. It should be something that is seeked out or present at job fairs, just like any other job. That's a decision- not sharks swimming around a guppy tank. To the society and thier free decision...


To *noncrazed*- you know as well as I do that what you said is untrue "if you don't want to enlist you don't have to talk to them". It's a stinky as the crap on my shoe- recruiters are swindling car salesman...

To *murphy*- how can you say some have "misguided energy" like it's your place to say or even know? People do what they believe and believe what they do. You can't cut them down for what they believe becuase you don't agree.

Answer 4

Maritz ... You know, you're right. Your points are perfectly valid. The only possible argument against having recruiters on-campus is that recruiters may be brainwashing the candidates. However, this argument is a "stretch," i.e., it's bogus, in plain English.

I wish these people protesting military recruiters could go live somewhere like Cuba or North Korea for a while. And while they're there, try to demonstrate against something. They'd not last more than two minutes.

So, America is far from perfect, but if they think our system is so corrupt, they should try their protests elsewhere and see where it gets them.

Answer 5

I think it's fair to protest if you are enrolled, because frankly, your parents are not paying tens of thousands of dollars for you to be hit up by an Army recruiter between classes.

If the armed forces are all voluntary then I say this: let those who want to volunteer get their butts down to the recruiting office. I frequently see army recruiters in places like shopping malls. I feel like it's an intrusion, although I don't say anything to them (I'm not that rude!).

And if you think I'm ultra-liberal, I feel exactly the same way about people with "liberal causes" trying to hit you up to join their groups or sign you up to make donations in airports, etc.

Answer 6

I served in the military for 34 years, volunteered back in the days of the Vietnam War. I didn't like protesters then very much because they would attack service members individually. Frankly back then when this happened to me an a few of my fellow service members, i wanted gun them all down in the streets. Because much of that behavior back then was more criminal than legal.

However, given the fact that i love my country very much, I love the freedoms that our forefathers created for all americans. I would support any person's right to protest in a lawful manner. But, if they get out of hand and start harming innocent bystanders and property, then i would definately support gunning these type of protesters down in their tracks.

Answer 7

how is protesting recruiters preventing "the right to choose", I find it ironic that you say "I support anyone who chosses to do something that he or she wants provided that it is not unlawful or illegal", and yet in the same paragraph oppose a persons right to protest

Answer 8

I'm sure they could protest them and it would be as fair as them having been given the freedom to do so by people like those recruiters.

Answer 9

If the government gives the school money, and the proper paperwork filled out, then the recruiters have every right to be there.

But the students have every right to protest them, as well.

This really shouldn't be an issue.

Answer 10

They have just as much right to protest as the recruiters have to be there.