Ballot Argument in Support of Retaining JROTC in the Public Schools
The JROTC program in the San Francisco public high schools serves over 1600 students each year, and has a proven success record in teaching leadership skills, teamwork, and the importance of civic responsibility.
The program has developed strong role models for young women. Female cadets now make up over 40% of cadets,and participate in many of the top leadership positions.
The program has developed a strong culture of inclusion for all students, particularly students from the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) community. LGBT students have told me that they have found a “home” in JROTC, and a very supportive environment. A number of the citywide cadet leaders in recent years have been LGBT students.
Don’t be fooled by the claims of the JROTC opponents. The current leadership of JROTC has made the San Francisco JROTC into a model of support for LGBT students, and all students. The Friends of JROTC, the group formed to support JROTC, has taken a leadership role in opposing the national Don’t Ask Don’t Tell policy, and in supporting the LGBT students.
This is an issue of choice for San Francisco students, and the continuation of a program that succeeds with youth.
