Parish
A Different Recruitment Style
RECEIVED Fri., July 7, 2006
Dear Editor,
Re: Military recruitment on high school campuses [“AISD: Students Rein in Recruiters,” News, July 7]: When I was a high school senior, I hadn't gotten any information from any colleges. Although Texas A&M invited me to an overnight retreat near the end of my junior year, I had heard absolutely nothing from any other schools. Thus, when a Navy guy approached me, I went along with him. I learned that I would have done well on the ASVAB and that I would get to travel. The night I finished talking to the Naval recruiter, named John, I got an invitation to apply from Harvard. I could still remember that recruitment officer if I passed him on the street, and to this day, whenever I see Navy recruitment posters, I still say, "Yep, I almost did that." Who knows? If there had been a base near New Haven, Conn., I might have.
John was a courteous, tasteful recruiter whom I had a good conversation with, and I remember him the way I remember all the other colleges that I didn't go to but got accepted to: with respect. When I said I didn't want to join the Navy, he respected my choice and didn't contact me further. He didn't show up outside band practice or make me late for Latin. We'd had a good conversation, and for the rest of that year, we exchanged pleasantries with the air of "Hey, no hard feelings."
For all those military recruiters (and principals) who think that doing it any other way is appropriate, I would remind you that people who continue to harass the attention of uninterested people are called two things: credit card solicitors and stalkers.
Re: Military recruitment on high school campuses [“AISD: Students Rein in Recruiters,” News, July 7]: When I was a high school senior, I hadn't gotten any information from any colleges. Although Texas A&M invited me to an overnight retreat near the end of my junior year, I had heard absolutely nothing from any other schools. Thus, when a Navy guy approached me, I went along with him. I learned that I would have done well on the ASVAB and that I would get to travel. The night I finished talking to the Naval recruiter, named John, I got an invitation to apply from Harvard. I could still remember that recruitment officer if I passed him on the street, and to this day, whenever I see Navy recruitment posters, I still say, "Yep, I almost did that." Who knows? If there had been a base near New Haven, Conn., I might have.
John was a courteous, tasteful recruiter whom I had a good conversation with, and I remember him the way I remember all the other colleges that I didn't go to but got accepted to: with respect. When I said I didn't want to join the Navy, he respected my choice and didn't contact me further. He didn't show up outside band practice or make me late for Latin. We'd had a good conversation, and for the rest of that year, we exchanged pleasantries with the air of "Hey, no hard feelings."
For all those military recruiters (and principals) who think that doing it any other way is appropriate, I would remind you that people who continue to harass the attention of uninterested people are called two things: credit card solicitors and stalkers.
Stephanie Webb
