Res. No. 1813
Resolution calling upon the United States Congress and the President of the United States to raise the minimum age for enlisting in the military to age 21.
By Council Members Williams, Barron, Chin and James
Whereas, Federal law allows individuals who are age 18 and over, and those age 17 with parental consent, to enlist in the United States Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps or Coast Guard; and
Whereas, Each branch of the United States Armed Forces utilizes recruitment and Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) programs in high schools in an effort to promote the option of military service to students and to obtain enlistments by those age 17 and older; and
Whereas, Under federal law, military recruiters must be afforded the same access to public high school students that is provided to colleges, universities, and prospective employers; and
Whereas, The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 grants military recruiters access to personal information of public high schools students without prior parental consent unless a parent or guardian has submitted a request that such information not be released; and
Whereas, Research indicates that adolescents are more susceptible to peer pressure and have an increased tendency to engage in risky behavior in comparison to adults; and
Whereas, Development of the portion of the brain involved in decision-making is not complete until an individual is over age 21; and
Whereas, Service in the military may entail exposure to life-threatening and highly stressful situations; and
Whereas, Those under age 21 may be unprepared to properly weigh the risks and benefits of military service; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the United States Congress and the President of the United States to raise the minimum age for enlisting in the military to age 21.
LS# 4703
5/22/13 10:40AM
KET