Since 2003, the unjust occupation of Iraq has claimed the lives of more than 3,500 young Americans and has cost our communities more than $400 billion! Military recruiters are occupying our schools trying to meet their enlistment quotas and cuts to education funding along with decreased economic opportunity have created a poverty draft.

In response, young activists throughout the peace movement are waging a campaign of resistance against the military's increased and misleading targeting of youth in the United States.

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NNOMY 2009

This past weekend, SPAN coordinator Jonathan Williams, and interns Mariah Bracken, Brittany Gregory, and Alyssa Martino, traveled to the National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth (NNOMY) conference on counter-recruitment in Chicago, Illinois. There were many high school and college-aged students present from states including Maryland, California, Ohio, and New Hampshire.

A variety of educators, students, and activists presented on topics ranging from women and the military to immigration and the DREAM Act to student privacy. Presenters included Jonathan Williams, who gave a workshop about college-level counter-recruitment. This conference also gave students and adults the opportunity to connect over grassroots strategies. We collected more leaflets and fliers from ally organizations and will be incorporating their insight and suggestions into our counter-recruitment toolkit this fall

If you feel like you missed out on the conference, don't forget that this is a recurring event, so there may be future opportunities to attend. Also, be sure to join us in Albuquerque, New Mexico for the Think Outside the Bomb Conference from August 13-16th. Click for more info on Think Outside the Bomb!

Alternative of the Week

Sick of standardized tests? Want to learn a trade and get paid along the way? Try an apprenticeship!

What's an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a skill. Apprentices or protégés build their careers from apprenticeships. Most of the training is done on the job while working for an employer who helps the apprentices learn a trade, in exchange for their continuing labor for an agreed period after they become skilled. Training can take from anywhere between 2 to 5 years.

What kind of apprenticeships are there?
The Registered Apprenticeship Program has a listing of over 1,000 apprenticeships! The fields offering apprenticeships are aerospace, automotive, biotechnology, construction, energy, financial services, health care, hospitality, information technology, manufacturing, retail, and transportation.

How old do I have to be?
Registered apprenticeships in most occupations are open to anyone age 16 or older. However, individuals must usually be18 to be an apprentice in hazardous occupations. About 14 percent of newly registered apprentices are age 21 or younger. More than 360,000 apprentices are currently receiving training nationwide.

Do I have to finish High School?
Credentials or documentation may be required by the sponsor along with the completed application form include a transcript of school subjects and grades, proof of age, and high school diploma or a GED. References from all previous employers may be required.

Can anyone do an apprenticeship?
Like any job, you need the drive and determination, especially when you will be manually performing every day. Individuals must show their sponsor that they have the ability, aptitude, and education.

Sweeeet. What next?
Before applying for an apprenticeship you can improve upon your skills by do pre-apprenticeship programs. Go to this site to find some! If you are ready to find a registered apprenticeship go to this site to find some!