[ELM#1022] A Community's Guide to Supporting Our Future Service Members

Today, we’re honoring students who choose the path of military service—and how we, as a community, can prepare and support them before they ever take the oath.

From academics and fitness to discipline and leadership, success in the military begins long before enlistment. Let’s explore how schools, families, and communities can stand behind our future service members.

#EducationalLeader,

Kim

“When students are led well, they learn well.”

Website: http://kimdmoore.com
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The views shared in the Educational Leadership Moment are solely mine and do not reflect the positions of my employer or any entity within the local, state, or federal government sectors.

Transcript

General Douglas MacArthur once said, "Duty, Honor, Country. Those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be." As we prepare our students for military service after high school, these words remind us of the profound importance of proper preparation and community support.

Understanding the Military Path

Choosing to serve in the military represents a unique and honorable path after high school. It's a decision that requires careful preparation, dedicated support, and a clear understanding of both the challenges and opportunities ahead. For our educational community - from teachers and administrators to parents and community members - supporting these future service members begins long before they take their oath.

Academic Foundation for Military Success

The modern military is a sophisticated organization that demands strong academic capabilities. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) serves as the gateway to military service, requiring solid foundations in mathematics, reading comprehension, and technical understanding. These aren't just test requirements but essential skills that will determine future military career opportunities.

Today's service members work with advanced technology, complex systems, and sophisticated equipment. Strong technical literacy, developed through science and technology classes, becomes invaluable in military settings. The precision and attention to detail fostered in mathematics and laboratory sciences directly translate to military operations where accuracy can be a matter of life and death.

Beyond the Books

Military service demands more than academic prowess. Physical fitness stands as a cornerstone of military readiness. Schools can support future service members by encouraging athletic participation and promoting healthy lifestyle habits. Physical education programs and sports teams provide excellent foundations for meeting military fitness requirements.

Discipline, perhaps the military's most fundamental requirement, begins in the classroom. Teachers can foster this by maintaining high standards for punctuality, appearance, and conduct. When students learn to follow instructions precisely and maintain proper protocols, they develop habits that will serve them well in military life.

Building Resilience and Leadership

Military service often involves high-pressure situations that require mental toughness and emotional resilience. Educators can help build these qualities by challenging students appropriately and teaching effective stress management techniques. Extracurricular activities, particularly those involving teamwork and leadership, provide valuable opportunities to develop these crucial skills.

The Community's Role

Parents play a vital role by supporting their children's interest in military service while helping them understand their responsibilities. This might involve attending military recruitment events, connecting with veteran organizations, or simply fostering discussions about service and sacrifice.

School administrators can strengthen military preparation programs by:

- Supporting JROTC programs where available

- Facilitating military recruiter visits

- Creating partnerships with local veteran organizations

- Providing ASVAB preparation resources

Community members, especially veterans, can offer invaluable insights through mentorship programs and sharing their experiences. Their stories help students understand military culture and values while providing realistic perspectives on service life.

Looking Forward

As these young people prepare to join the ranks of our armed forces, they need more than just individual preparation - they need a community that understands and supports their choice. Through coordinated efforts between schools, families, and community organizations, we can ensure that our future service members enter the military with the tools they need to succeed.

Together, we can ensure that our future service members are well-prepared for the challenges and opportunities ahead. Their success reflects not just on them as individuals but our entire community's commitment to supporting those who choose to serve our nation.

#EducationalLeader,
 Kim

References

MacArthur, D. (1962). Sylvanus Thayer Award Acceptance Address. West Point, NY.

U.S. Department of Defense. (n.d.). ASVAB Career Exploration Program. Official ASVAB Program.

U.S. Department of Education. (n.d.). College and career preparation. ED.gov.