Getting Them Ready: Canadian High Schoolers Paid $2000 To Take Military Training Course

18 posts / 0 new

Sun, 2015-04-26 15:44

NDPP

Canadian High Schoolers Paid $2000 To Take Military Training Course

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2015/04/25/cana-a25.html

"With the enthusiastic support of the Saskatchewan government, the Canadian military is partnering with Regina's Public and Catholic school boards to provide basic military training to high school students.

Students who complete the new Canadian Army Primary Reserve Co-op Program will receive $2000 and two high school credits.

According to a Saskatchewan government press release, upon completion of the program students will be eligible to be enrolled in the regular Canadian Army Reserve, which the Canadian military describes 'as a part time, fully integrated component of the Canadian Army."

Mon, 2015-04-27 17:51

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
upon completion of the program students will be eligible to be enrolled in the regular Canadian Army Reserve

Presumably then they're also eligible to say "thanks for the two credits, the resume meat, and the two grand! See ya!"

Mon, 2015-04-27 18:03

6079_Smith_W

Not so benign when you consider the many other ways in which financial incentives are used to lure kids into the military.

I don't have a problem with the course; Katimavik had a military option, which my partner took and it certainly didn't warp her brain. Those are all good skills. But why the $2000 hook?

Mon, 2015-04-27 18:07

Todrick of Chat...

6079_Smith_W wrote:

Those are all good skills. But why the $2000 hook?

Likely because the Treasury Board said the government can no long have unpaid internships.

Mon, 2015-04-27 18:11

Todrick of Chat...

http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/hrpubs/tb_856/sep01-eng.asp

http://petition.ndp.ca/urban-workers

Mon, 2015-04-27 18:29

jas

Harper says Canadian taxpayers can't afford Katimavik. But suddenly we can afford this?

I don't think so.

Mon, 2015-04-27 18:38

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
Not so benign when you consider the many other ways in which financial incentives are used to lure kids into the military.

Well, except that this doesn't seem to actually be luring them into the military. Or did I get it wrong, and once they accept the Queen's Shilling, they're now enlisted?

Mon, 2015-04-27 18:46

6079_Smith_W

No Magoo. It is there in black and white, and we have all read it.

Are there some who are honestly interested in that path? Of course. But I'm willing to guess the financial incentive has some influence over those who might be influenced by such things, and not necessarily interested in stepping through that door if there wasn't cash involved.

Probably not as much influence over those who don't have to worry about where their pocket change and future tuition might be coming from.

Mon, 2015-04-27 19:03

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
But I'm willing to guess the financial incentive has some influence over those who might be influenced by such things, and not necessarily interested in stepping through that door if there wasn't cash involved.

Let me ask again, plainly. By participating in this, are students de facto enlisted in the military? Have they stepped through the door?

Or can they participate in this program, collect their $2K, and NOT enlist in the military?

Mon, 2015-04-27 19:34

#10

6079_Smith_W

No, Magoo. I can read.I just said so. And I can read well enough to see the writing on this wall, too.

People don't have to believe everything they read in the news either. Or believe what they hear at the sermon they sit through after they take the free sandwich. Or believe their government when they buy them with their own money. Or deal with the payday loan company that gives out free food. But many do, and all of those are good examples of manipulation.

And this is too, especially considering who it is directed at, and who is most likely to respond to the lure of $2,000.

After all, like any good scam they don't have to get the smart ones. They probably don't actually want those ones.

Mon, 2015-04-27 19:37

#11

Slumberjack

The federal Liberals under Pierre Trudeau had a similar program in the early 80's. They called it the Youth Training and Employment Program.

Mon, 2015-04-27 19:48

#12

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
No, Magoo. I can read.I just said so. And I can read well enough to see the writing on this wall, too.

OK, but can you write well enough to answer my very simple question?

Are the students who participate in this OBLIGATED to enrol in the military?

I really don't know how to ask it any plainer.

And if it turns out they're not, can you give me some hint as to how this "try before you buy" program -- with a paycheque! -- is a step backward from when prospective soldiers had to buy a pig in a poke?

Is the concern that some participants might find it all to be not too bad??

Or else what's the problem if young people can:

1. find out what the military is really like

2. get something to put on their resume

3. get two grand

4. tell the CF to hump it

Mon, 2015-04-27 20:07

#13

6079_Smith_W

And I just answered you; a couple of times now. No they don't.

But there are plenty of things which people don't have to do which they are manipulated into doing, and that is not an insignificant matter, considering that manipulation can range from the unethical to the criminal.

To simply wave it off by saying they don't have to join the military takes nothing away from the intent, and the fact that this is somehow a priority when there are far greater priorities in our school system.

And I have told you a couple of times what my concern is - the use of money as a lure, especially since the military has traditionally drawn its recruits from rural areas where the job market isn't as bright as it is in cities.

Mon, 2015-04-27 20:13

#14

Mr. Magoo

Quote:
And I just answered you; a couple of times now. No they don't.

I don't see where you said "no they don't" prior to this. I see you telling me that "it's all there in black and white", but surely you can see how ambiguous that is.

Quote:
But there are plenty of things which people don't have to do which they are manipulated into doing, and that is not an insignificant matter, considering it ranges from the unethical to the criminal.

OK, but it seems like lots of Canadians were "manipulated" into joining the military prior to this, and WITHOUT the opportunity to experience the military without obligation. So it's hard for me to see this as a worse thing.

Quote:
And I have told you a couple of times what my concern is - the use of money as a lure, especially since the military has traditionally drawn its recruits from rural areas where the job market isn't as bright as it is in cities.

If they don't have to enlist then (to borrow from the fishing metaphor) it's a lure without a hook.

Take the 2K.

Tell the CF to CF-off.

Can you be more specific about why that can't or won't happen? Is the military life actually not that bad, and this is like some kind of gateway drug? Do you fear that young people will feel guilty if they take the money and scram, so they'll sign on for a tour of duty?

Mon, 2015-04-27 20:51

#15

6079_Smith_W

You asked the question in #6. I answered "no" in #7.

Should be clear enough to anyone more interested in having a conversation than playing gotcha.

Of course they aren't enlisted. But they are in the door and being groomed for taking that next step. So a few of them take the money and walk out the door. That's business.

The shame is that it is something the school divisions are partnering with. And there were Catholics among the protesters who opposed it on those grounds.

Mon, 2015-08-31 18:06

#16

Aristotleded24

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Mon, 2015-08-31 18:43

#17

Pondering

The money would be better spend offering all students CPR and other first aid skills.

Minors are highly impressionable and they are not being shown the nasty side of war. I'm sure they are being informed on how their education can be funded by the military through being a reservist while they go to school. I doubt there is much emphasis on the fact that they could be shipped overseas with very little notice and no right to quit. There are probably signing bonuses as well.

There is a reason the military goes after youth before they are old enough to join and be trained as adults.

Mon, 2015-08-31 18:44

#18

alan smithee alan smithee's picture

Dear Leader wants more prisons and a larger army.

Obviously he's taking a page from the US. College,Jail or Army.

What a fucking prick.