I went to the school, as I always do when a military recruiter is scheduled to be on campus.
I got there 10 minutes early and the Marine recruiters got there earlier than me.
Why were they so early?
Well, they had to set up their child-attracting equipment.
It was a chin-up bar that they assembled in a classroom, positioned in direct line with the classroom doorway to the hall.
I signed in at the office, as all visitors are required to do and noticed that those early bird Marines, yes TWO of them, in full dress uniform had not signed in.
So I asked the office staff if they had signed in - and they said no. I told the office staff I would tell the Marines to go do so.
That likely caught the Marines off-guard.
Just as I told them, the office rang the teacher to tell them to sign in.
So, they had to sign in right after me - and my "reason for visit" is as always - "military monitor." (heh)
Then, because these 2 Marines in Full Dress Uniform did not stand out enough in this small school in a rural area...there they were in the hall trying to lure children into the room to try out the chin-up bar.
I had to tell them that they were not allowed to be in the hall, only in the classroom.
They were not happy to hear that and I told them I would go to the office and verify where they could be and not be.
I went to the office and came back to let them know the rules at this school only allow them to being INSIDE the classroom.
I then took the opportunity to tell them that the sign on the door says military recruiters in this room are only for high schoolers - not 7th or 8th graders.
Just an FYI.
Yes.
I was not making friends today.
Hoorah!
They introduced themselves to me.
Last names and ranks.
Apparently they don't have first names.
We chit-chatted a bit and of course they
asked me why I am there.
(although I am pretty sure they were briefed on my visits)
I told them I am there to sit in the classroom everytime a military recruiter is on campus, and that I am not anti-military - just pro-many-choices for kids.
I told them that many more colleges had come out to the school this year.
During our little chat- I mentioned that I recently read that the Marines have removed their Tuition-Assistance for folks in the military who are trying to continue to study while enlisted.
He assured me that those funds will be made available as soon as all the sequestration stuff is settled.
Right....
So glad HE knows what the government is going to do with
their monies.
Uh-huh.
That chin-up bar turned out to be a magnet.
Smart on their behalf.
Another smart marketing tactic they have is that each child has to
sign a "waiver" in case they
"hurt" themselves on the chin-up bar.
By signing this "waiver" the kids give the recruiters their contact information.
Hoorah!
20 chin-ups and you earn a t-shirt or a backpack emblazoned with the marines current logo.
"Pain is just weakness leaving the body."
Hoorah!
There were lesser "gifts" for kids who did fewer chin-ups.
All paid for by you and me.
Hoorah!
One marine, Mr. A., as I will call him, after the rush of testosterone of young boys doing chin-ups with praises like, "That's a Marine chin-up!" (Hoorah!) chatted with me and I told him I had worked hard to get more colleges in the mix of recruiters at the school and that 7 colleges had come out so far this year.
Compared to the 2 colleges who came out last year.
He asked how many military recruiters, and I told him that they were the 3rd military recruiters this year.
He wanted to know if I would now lobby for more military rectruiters... I said no, and he wanted to know why.
I told him that college
likely won't kill a kid.
He said with all the drinking and rapes it might.
(whaaa?)
I told him that the military is a far worse place for a woman according to statistics of sexual assault in that male dominated environment.
He then proceeded to try to tell me that colleges are just as male dominated and unsafe as the military.
(WTF? Are you kidding me!)
At that point, I realized that he was just going to be a jerk and I told him I am done speaking to him.
He asked where I worked and what kind of job I do.
(Nope not gonna say)
(OK- so that was awkward....)
The lunch time was up and they had to pack all their gear.
I make a point to not leave campus until recruiters leave, just cause I am that kind of person.
(I like to sign out of the visitor log after the recruiters,)
They had to disassemble that chin-up bar and make two trips to the big government van that hauls that kind of stuff from school to school.
They took a looooong time with that first trip.
I figured they were having a good laugh at my expense.
I don't mind.
I consider it a gift.
Hoorah from me to them!
They came back for the second trip and Mr. A ( the one I said I was done speaking to) came over to shake my hand and as shook his clammy hand I told him that I will see him next time.
He said, "We'll be back."
Fine with me.
You cannot intimidate me.
The few. (thank goodness)
The proud. (solicitors of children)
I got there 10 minutes early and the Marine recruiters got there earlier than me.
Why were they so early?
Well, they had to set up their child-attracting equipment.
It was a chin-up bar that they assembled in a classroom, positioned in direct line with the classroom doorway to the hall.
I signed in at the office, as all visitors are required to do and noticed that those early bird Marines, yes TWO of them, in full dress uniform had not signed in.
So I asked the office staff if they had signed in - and they said no. I told the office staff I would tell the Marines to go do so.
That likely caught the Marines off-guard.
Just as I told them, the office rang the teacher to tell them to sign in.
So, they had to sign in right after me - and my "reason for visit" is as always - "military monitor." (heh)
Then, because these 2 Marines in Full Dress Uniform did not stand out enough in this small school in a rural area...there they were in the hall trying to lure children into the room to try out the chin-up bar.
I had to tell them that they were not allowed to be in the hall, only in the classroom.
They were not happy to hear that and I told them I would go to the office and verify where they could be and not be.
I went to the office and came back to let them know the rules at this school only allow them to being INSIDE the classroom.
I then took the opportunity to tell them that the sign on the door says military recruiters in this room are only for high schoolers - not 7th or 8th graders.
Just an FYI.
Yes.
I was not making friends today.
Hoorah!
They introduced themselves to me.
Last names and ranks.
Apparently they don't have first names.
We chit-chatted a bit and of course they
asked me why I am there.
(although I am pretty sure they were briefed on my visits)
I told them I am there to sit in the classroom everytime a military recruiter is on campus, and that I am not anti-military - just pro-many-choices for kids.
I told them that many more colleges had come out to the school this year.
During our little chat- I mentioned that I recently read that the Marines have removed their Tuition-Assistance for folks in the military who are trying to continue to study while enlisted.
He assured me that those funds will be made available as soon as all the sequestration stuff is settled.
Right....
So glad HE knows what the government is going to do with
their monies.
Uh-huh.
That chin-up bar turned out to be a magnet.
Smart on their behalf.
Another smart marketing tactic they have is that each child has to
sign a "waiver" in case they
"hurt" themselves on the chin-up bar.
By signing this "waiver" the kids give the recruiters their contact information.
Hoorah!
20 chin-ups and you earn a t-shirt or a backpack emblazoned with the marines current logo.
"Pain is just weakness leaving the body."
Hoorah!
There were lesser "gifts" for kids who did fewer chin-ups.
All paid for by you and me.
Hoorah!
One marine, Mr. A., as I will call him, after the rush of testosterone of young boys doing chin-ups with praises like, "That's a Marine chin-up!" (Hoorah!) chatted with me and I told him I had worked hard to get more colleges in the mix of recruiters at the school and that 7 colleges had come out so far this year.
Compared to the 2 colleges who came out last year.
He asked how many military recruiters, and I told him that they were the 3rd military recruiters this year.
He wanted to know if I would now lobby for more military rectruiters... I said no, and he wanted to know why.
I told him that college
likely won't kill a kid.
He said with all the drinking and rapes it might.
(whaaa?)
I told him that the military is a far worse place for a woman according to statistics of sexual assault in that male dominated environment.
He then proceeded to try to tell me that colleges are just as male dominated and unsafe as the military.
(WTF? Are you kidding me!)
At that point, I realized that he was just going to be a jerk and I told him I am done speaking to him.
He asked where I worked and what kind of job I do.
(Nope not gonna say)
(OK- so that was awkward....)
The lunch time was up and they had to pack all their gear.
I make a point to not leave campus until recruiters leave, just cause I am that kind of person.
(I like to sign out of the visitor log after the recruiters,)
They had to disassemble that chin-up bar and make two trips to the big government van that hauls that kind of stuff from school to school.
They took a looooong time with that first trip.
I figured they were having a good laugh at my expense.
I don't mind.
I consider it a gift.
Hoorah from me to them!
They came back for the second trip and Mr. A ( the one I said I was done speaking to) came over to shake my hand and as shook his clammy hand I told him that I will see him next time.
He said, "We'll be back."
Fine with me.
You cannot intimidate me.
The few. (thank goodness)
The proud. (solicitors of children)
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