The Military Abroad
The U.S. military’s presence abroad and at home is oftentimes accepted without question. Public interest in the military’s role in the Middle East is waning, and public awareness of the military in our schools is all but nonexistent. The MSPJC seeks to change this through its anti-war work and the Alternatives to the Military Project.
Since the U.S.-Iraq Status Forces Agreement began the withdrawal of American troops from Iraq, many Americans have grown complacent about the presence of the United States military abroad. We must remember, though, that from 2003 to 2011, almost 4,500 troops were killed in Iraq according to the Iraq Index. By 2011, the number of troops in Afghanistan was three times higher than when Obama became president. Just as in Iraq, it is unknown how many civilians have died in Afghanistan, but the number is in the tens of thousands. From 2001 to 2011, over 1,700 American troops have been killed in Afghanistan and another 13,000 wounded.
The U.S. launched cruise missile and air strikes against Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in March 2011—in direct violation of the Constitution and the War Powers Act. Additionally, the U.S. continues to launch air strikes in Yemen using unmanned Predator drones, an action that similarly contravenes the War Powers Act. The MSPJC seeks to enforce more responsibility on the government when it comes to deploying troops and putting lives at risk.
The Military at Home
In Memphis, we find ourselves in an alarming situation. We found through research that the military was violating the privacy of many students through ASVAB testing until the MCS Board passed an opt-in only policy. The Alternatives to the Military Project, a youth led organizing project, seeks to balance the scales by providing the information necessary for our youth and their parents to make responsible decisions regarding military service.
The effect our military has at home is oftentimes overlooked or ignored. Military recruiters populate much of the outside presence in high schools, and many high schoolers feel that their only “out” is through the armed forces. The MSPJC seeks to dispel this myth. Our Alternatives to the Military Project lays out the multitude of options other than enlisting, as well as the realities of joining.
Recent Accomplishments
- Organized annual peace march to protest U.S. involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Organized Wednesday morning End the Occupation Vigils since the start of the Afghanistan War in 2001.
- Organized other ongoing protests and advocacy actions in opposition to the continued U.S. military presence in Afghanistan and Iraq.
- Worked to connect our grassroots communities to policy-makers and elected officials in Washington D.C. and abroad.
- Created and distributed our “Nonviolent Career Alternatives” booklet to all Memphis high schools.
- Distributed leaflets at high schools, thus forcing the city-wide policy regarding the ASVAB military aptitude test to be changed to an opt-in only policy.
- Developed a youth-led workshop on truth in recruiting and alternatives to enlistment that has been offered at several conferences and youth events.