ROTC is an effective military recruitment tool - in large part because it is often institutionalized as a physical education class and students across the country are often assigned to ROTC involuntarily. But ROTC is much more than physical fitness. The uniforms, wooden rifles and study of war are part and parcel of this program that promotes military and war in the curriculum. It’s been an issue in the San Francisco public schools, and this story gives the latest. The school board divorced PE credits from the ROTC program, which is fitting. Read on: http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=5818#more School Board Removes P.E. Credit for JROTC by Paul Hogarth‚ Jun. 27‚ 2008 Students can no longer get physical education credit for service in JROTC – after a vote last night at the San Francisco School Board last night. More than 18 months after the Board voted to phase out the military program from public schools, and under duress of a lawsuit that cited a clear conflict in state law, the action upset cadets in the audience – but satisfied others who say it is long overdue. The Board had deadlocked 3-3 on this action at last week’s meeting, but with Commissioner Jane Kim back in town had the votes last night to get it through. But while progressives celebrated last night’s victory, pro-JROTC forces are gathering signatures for a November proposition – keeping this issue in the spotlight. For progressives to sustain this victory and keep their majority on the School Board, the District must make sure that alternatives to JROTC are available – or else suffer political consequences at the ballot box. More