Military schools are generally designed to strengthen one’s character and provide discipline, which is needed for success in life, especially if a child wants to choose a military career. Still, military schools are not miracle workers and they cannot change everybody. Students still need to have a will to succeed, to lead, and to achieve goals. If they have behavior and other serious problems, military schools are probably not the best places for them.

Military schools can teach cadets many things, but they can’t change who they really are, nor is that their goal. They simply help cadets learn by teaching them to discover their potential. The school offers education, training, and a chance for success, but it is up to your teen to choose his own path.

The main characteristics your teen will need to choose a successful path are:

- Passion. If a student has this quality, he is off to a good start. If he doesn’t, opportunities may bypass him, and he won’t see them until it is too late. A passion both to lead and work as a team player are necessary to succeed in a military education. Military schools can teach everything else that is needed, but students need the will to succeed.

- Determination. A strong will to succeed can help one get through anything, even times of despair and low motivation. Determined cadets will push themselves to achieve more, to exceed expectations, and to always challenge their limits. Military schools teach cadets to give their maximum and discover true potentials, but only the most determined will learn how to do this.

- Sound mind and body. Military school training and drills are not easy, either for a cadet’s body or his mind. Weaker cadets can sink into a state of depression, which is generally not treated by military schools. Cadets need to keep going even at the  toughest times. Of course, physical preparation is necessary, along with  good health, as military drills can be dangerous to the cadets with feeble bodies.

- Self-Assurance. This quality is also necessary for every military school cadet. Military schools teach self-confidence as a key component of leadership skills. Students need to be aware of themselves and their qualities. They have to believe that they can do any part of military training, or they risk failure.

If your child has these qualities, then you have nothing to worry about. If your child is a natural leader, he is a great candidate for a military school and, perhaps, could be a future leader of the country and a role model for many.

The general responsibility of public and preparatory schools based in Arkansas is to offer education. However, there are marked differences in the way each of these institutions carries out this responsibility, the facilities, and resources employed to meet this objective.

Given these discrepancies, it is not unusual for parents torn between more than one institution of learning. The important thing is to identify the needs of your child and find a school that would be able to meet those needs. Perhaps the biggest selling point of preparatory schools in Arkansas is their flexible curriculum that does no restrict itself to specific fields of learning. This allows the management to include extra programs in the syllabus creating a more holistic approach to education which includes promoting artistic talents and skills. Public schools on the other hand have scarce resources to devote to such programs.

Preparatory schools in Arkansas are wholly funded by parents and well-wishers through schools fees and donations. The schools tailor their fee structure to cater to all the extra curriculur activities like educational trips and sporting events. These events help create avenues of socialization among students, enhance a balanced learning program and complement class work. Apart from offering basic education, owners and mangers of the preparatory schools are always keen to main a high standard of ethics and good morals.

Public schools seldom employ the same disciplinary measures associated with private schools. A good example is the wearing of school uniforms. Whereas this form of dressing is alien to most public schools, it is a mandatory requirement in preparatory high schools.

Preparatory high schools in Arkansas are usually characterized by small classes and a good teacher / student ratio. The small classes are designed to accord each student close attention from the teacher. This is a big contrast from the public high school that hardly considers the number of students per class.

It is common knowledge that administrative decisions in preparatory high schools are made quickly and effectively. There is a high level of transparently due to the well defined management roles of preparatory schools. For public schools, the bureaucracies and political interference play a role in the process of decision making, slow decision making, and makes the decision making less transparent.

Generally, preparatory schools in Arkansas are better than the state owned public schools as shown by the advantages discussed above. Although most people consider the financial implication, the bottom line is fulfilling the educational desires of your child.

Links

privateschool.about.com

associatedcontent.com

http://privateschool.about.com/cs/employment/a/teachingcond.htm

The choice of a suitable high school for your teenage son or daughter cannot be taken for granted. This is an important chapter in your child’s life and your choice of school will affect their future either positively or negatively. The decision must therefore be made after considerable contemplation and thought.

More and more parents are opting for military schools for their teenage sons and daughters. Typical Public and Private High Schools in Arizona have become increasingly wayward. Your son or daughter is likely to get influenced by fellow students into seemingly innocent but unsafe habits. Such risks are unheard of in Arizona military schools.

Military schools promote discipline and respect as the fundamental cores of education. Since most of them are boarding facilities, life away from home gives a teenager a sense of independence and maturity. Military schools provide an education in a secure and controlled environment. Your teenager is not exposed to the latent dangers and pitfalls associated with public High Schools in Arizona. As a result, they leave school not only with academic gains, but also having developed self growth. Resilient attitudes permit them to face any life challenges with full confidence.

Military schools in Arizona have fewer students per class than typical public high schools. As a result, students can interact with each other both academically and at a personal level. Students are encouraged to assist one another both in their academic and social lives. As a result, academics become integrated among the students earlier on than their regular high school counterparts.

The students are also engaged in a number of extra curricular activities outside the classroom. Military schools in Arizona are known to produce some of the best young athletes in high school sports. Healthy competition among the students ensures that at the end of it all, individual gifts and talents are exposed and optimized both in and out of the classroom.

It is recommended that you review different military schools in Arizona before making up your mind. Begin your research as early as possible so that you can secure a spot before the school fills up. All Military Schools in Arizona are supervised and controlled by academic and military establishments. Hence, most of these schools share similar values and principles although the teaching programs and tuition costs can be slightly different.

The school’s location will also come into focus when making your decision. So will the tuition costs and the requirements necessary for joining the school. All in all, military schools in Arizona are known for producing well rounded and disciplined graduates. In order to find a suitable one for your teenage son or daughter, you can do a simple online research and check out the reviews and suggestions. This will enable you to make an informed decision about the best military school for your child.

Resources

http://www.militaryschools411.com/

http://www.teenboardingschools.com/

Learning institutions that have enacted school uniform policies in the state of Arizona have been able to develop a learning environment that improves on the institution’s discipline while promoting safety.

Most institutions that operate within Arizona have already decided to adopt school uniform policies as a long term program that will assist in improving both the institutions’ safety and student discipline. Some schools do not necessarily have school uniform policies, but have dress codes that encourage a safe and cohesive learning environment. For instance, most schools have prohibited the wearing of certain clothes that consist of certain colors, language or the promotion of certain groups (like gangs).

Benefits of Enacting School Uniform Policies in Arizona

School uniforms come with a number of benefits such as decreasing violence and theft within the school itself. They also prevent gang members from wearing gang colors and insignias to school. They help maintain student discipline because they portray the image of equality –  that no one is above another, which also enables students to concentrate fully on their work. Last, but not least, intruders in the school compound can be easily noticed.

The process of buying school uniforms  is daunting  for parents and can be very frustrating. However, uniforms can make a back to school shopping event much easier because they simplify the budget. There is less to be worried about when buying separates, especially for ladies. Most of the schools that operate within Arizona require that their uniforms should be purchased through their respective schools, as these schools also do have their own guidelines.

Where to Purchase School Uniforms Within Arizona

Apart from obtaining the uniforms directly from the institution, they can also be purchased from various stores throughout Arizona. Stores differ in the prices and quality of their products, and it is advisable for parents or guardians to comparison shop whenever possible.

For instance there are stores that deal with school uniforms for both boys and girls which include shorts, pants, skirts, skorts and polo shirts, among others. Most of these stores specialize in children’s school uniforms with numerous branches throughout Arizona and they are also approved by the private boarding schools and district associations. A good example of such a store is New Town Fashion.

Other stores include JC Penney, which has numerous branches across the country. This store sells quality material and it stocks school uniforms throughout the year, unlike other stores that only stock school uniform products in the fall.

Useful Links

http://www.jcpenney.com

http://www.phoenixmetro.com/

http://www2.ed.gov

If you are a high school junior and contemplating joining an air force school in Arizona, you should be prepared for a rigorous admission process. Typically, approximately one in every 50 students is accepted and you need to understand what to prepare for before you turn in your application.

Any air force school in Arizona will expect you to be physically fit. You will be required to do a one and a half mile run and a battery of other physical exercises, all within 15 minutes. If you are not physically fit, then you will have a slim chance of passing this initial test.

Team activities are highly valued in an air force school. The ability to work together with others in order to attain group goals is very important in the Air Force. Participating in basketball, track events, shooting, fencing and football may get you a better chance of being accepted in these schools. You should take an interest in these sports if you want to go to an air force school in Arizona.

Your academic performance will also contribute greatly towards your chances of acceptance into these schools. You should opt for courses that are academically challenging for you to be accepted. If you are good in mathematics and sciences then you should major in these. You should start early to improve on your GPA so that you can have a better chance of acceptance. The last two years of junior high will be considered in your application so maintaining high academic standards is a must.

Whereas most colleges will use standardized tests to differentiate between equally performing students, an air force school in Arizona will not put too much weight on such methods. There is more of a pass-fail test in these schools. You should consider taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery together with your SAT or ACT in order to improve your chances at getting acceptance.

Finally, you must exhibit good character to get accepted into an air force school in Arizona. These schools require you to get letters of recommendation from your former teachers and community leaders. If you have ever worked for a volunteer organization, then a letter from them will improve your chances drastically. If you are not academically gifted, good character and leadership skills can get you admitted into these schools.

Useful links:

http://www.usafa.af.mil/

http://www.afrotc.com/

http://www.military-school.org/Towards_Military_Career/Military_Career_Options/Air_Force.asp

Most parents think that the only reason they should consider a military education for their children is if they have become too much to handle. This preconceived notion comes from the stereotyped image of disciplined cadets graduating from military schools. However, this scenario is not always the case. There are those who send their children to military schools even when they are well behaved. They do so in order that the children can continue with the same good behaviors and not be influenced to change as they grow up. Whatever your reasons for considering sending your child to a military school, here are a few things that you need to consider:

The decision has to be a decision that you make as a family. You may be considering taking your child to a military school but your child might not look favorably upon this and see it as a punishment. Especially if your child does not exhibit problem behaviors, you do not want your child to feel that you are sending him/her to a military school for no reason. Discuss with your child if he finds this option acceptable. Show your child the benefits of pursuing a military school education and make the decision together.

If you are in a situation where your child is the one who has asked to go to a military school, take the time to discuss it through and be supportive as a parent.

Once you have agreed on the idea, then you should take a day out with your child and other family members to visit a few military schools before the choice can be made. The whole family will get to understand what life in a military school is like. This kind of support is important so that your child feels that he is not being sent away.

It is important that you do a background check on the military schools you are considering. Make a few inquiries about the schools available. Visit their websites and learn more about them before you even decide which ones to visit.

The decision to take your child to a military school should be one that you think through thoroughly. Do not let any outside influence convince you that this is a good idea. Think about your child and how this may affect his/her future life. It is your responsibility as a parent to make sure you make the right decisions about your child’s upbringing.

usmilitary.about.com/od/educationtraining/United_States_Military_Education_and_Training_Programs.htm

www.military-school.org/

mymilitaryeducation.org/

Military schools are modeled after United States Military Universities. Integrity and responsibility in military schools today, are key to developing a well disciplined student or “cadets.” These are two factors that are central to building character in students who go to military schools. The structure of military schools is designed to develop dependability, respect, courtesy, orderliness and a great deal of personal responsibility. Military schools facilitate the development of the academic, leadership and physical potential of cadets that will prepare them for the next step in the pursuit of their careers. Military schools emphatically teach each cadet the true meaning of honor.

The structure of military schools allows the cadet to gain spiritual and moral values, and at the same time build their intellectual and physical capabilities. Demanding challenges examine and build the talents of any cadet encouraging them to rise above self imposed limits. Cadets are held responsible for all their actions. Positive behavior draws reward and negative behavior draws the necessary consequences. The consequences of negative behavior are structured such that the cadet is given a chance to redeem himself or herself and encouraged to reach his or her potential.

Military schools teach military history, traditions and values to develop leadership and teamwork. Other disciplines taught in main stream high schools are also included in the curriculum taught in military schools. Such disciplines include languages, philosophy, sciences, business administration, mathematics, and others in order to produce a well rounded individual.

In keeping with the aim of teaching responsibility and leadership, the structure allows the cadets to manage themselves under the supervision of seasoned administrators. Leadership positions are earned by cadets who show leadership potential over time. Allowing cadets to manage themselves ensures that each cadet gets individual attention and mentoring at all times be it during daytime activities or when they are in their barracks at night. The structure of military schools socially instills camaraderie and togetherness that transcends time. Social ties that are formed in military schools are carried on, well into the twilight years of each cadet.

The Rank structure in military schools teaches the cadets the status and responsibility of personnel in the Armed Forces. Higher ranks carry a higher responsibility for, and command of, more personnel in the lower ranks, thereby commanding more respect from those lower in the rank structure. Such knowledge bears well for those who go on to pursue military careers earnestly.

Military schools play a central role in shaping the future of every cadet who enlists in their well structured programs.

Useful links:

http://www.dodea.edu/home/

http://www.military-school.org/

http://www.gordon.army.mil/

The initials stand for (Reserve Officer Training Corps). It is a system of commissioning officers while they are still in college. This is found in the USA and those countries that have had a lot of contact with the US military like Philippines.

ROTC is for all the branches of the military apart from the coast guard. Both women and men are eligible for it. Commissioning of women however, started in 1976. Today about 20% of the graduates are women. The program emphasizes leadership, problem solving, strategy, and military professionalism. Graduates of the ROTC  constitute about 56% US army, 20% navy, 41% air force  and 11% marine corps. The branches of the military offer deserving students scholarships in exchange for extended contracts of military service.

The ROTC was started in 1916 with the signing of the National Defense Act. It has commissioned more than half a million officers since then. The army ROTC alone has over 200 host programs with more than 1000 partnering schools.

There are different ways to joining the ROTC; high school, college, while enlisted and while serving in the National Guard. For college students one can enroll at the beginning of their studies or if they have more than 2 years to complete their studies. This is done by taking the ROTC elective course or if there is no time to complete the course, taking a 28 day leaders’ training course. For needy college students, ROTC provides 2-4 years scholarships.

ROTC scholarships are the main attraction of the program. They put many deserving students through college. There are 2-4 year scholarships based on units taken, full tuition scholarships, room and board, and allowances for fees and books. Living allowances are also awarded to those who qualify.

Those who enroll will have to give an 8 year commitment to military service. One can serve full 3 years and serve the balance as an Individual Ready Reserve (IRR). Some may choose to serve part time while still in a civilian career. Non-scholarship graduates can also serve 3 years full duty and the rest as IRR.

Upon graduation cadets of the ROTC have many openings in the military available. They get out with he rank of second lieutenant and those who wish can embark on advanced officer training in their branch. Those who wish to further their studies can do so and many go on to become top brass in the military. Cadets go on to serve in aviation, artillery, Special Forces, even veterinary services!

http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/careers.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reserve_Officers%27_Training_Corps

http://www.afrotc.com/

A Study into suicides by members of the US military has determined the probable cause. A task force which was assigned to study the mental states of military force members has found that low manning levels and many assignments to multiple wars have led to increasing demands on troops.

Multiple deployments to the various wars being conducted by the US have created unprecedented physical and mental demands, according to the Joint Department of Defence Prevention of Suicide Task Force, with the result being that more people within the military are committing suicide.

A recently released report said the cumulative effects of many factors had contributed significantly to the increase in the incidence of suicide.

After interviewing over two thousand people, including service members, their families, behavioural health professionals and chaplains, the task force has recommended many changes to the way military personnel are deployed, including: Reducing stress on the force; focusing efforts on service member total fitness; developing a comprehensive stigma-reduction campaign to encourage people to seek help; coordinating and leveraging community health services, including off-base programs; standardizing suicide investigations and expanding their focus to learn about the last hours, days and weeks preceding a suicide or attempted suicide; and supporting and funding ongoing Defence Department suicide prevention research to enhance knowledge and inform future suicide prevention efforts.

The problem of suicide in the forces has been growing year by year with nearly 250 soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen committing suicide in 2010.

The other factors recognized by the task force were failed intimate relationships, overwhelming financial indebtedness and legal problems.

Recommendations in the report, some already being put into place, include: beefing up the Army’s suicide prevention program and making behavioral health care more accessible to soldiers in combat and other high-stress environments.

In an address to an audience of more than 1,000 military and other government agency health-care workers and officials gathered for the 2nd Annual Suicide Prevention Conference sponsored by the Defence and Veterans Affairs departments, Adm. Mike Mullen and his wife, Deborah, shared their thoughts and concerns on the issue.

Admiral Mullen said that while he recognizes the challenge the armed services have had in combating suicide while waging wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, it’s a challenge that can’t be overlooked.

“The subject of suicide is one of tremendous difficulty and challenge and understanding, and there have been a lot of people who have worked on this diligently for many, many years,” the chairman said. “Certainly, with the rise in the numbers in all the services since these wars, (Defence Department officials have) started to really look at the causes and get to a point where we can prevent this and understand this.”

Useful links

http://www.military.com/news

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38837546/ns/us_news-life/

http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/a-13-2009-01-30-voa59-68626972.html

Military Schools and Replacement Schools for Troubled Teens

The teenage years can sometimes be tough. Sure, you’re going to get an “Oh my gosh, this is so unfair!” every now and then, but that can be handled. Sometimes, though, teens can be at-risk, meaning they could get in trouble with the law, be expelled from school, or a number of other things.

If any of these happen, or have a good chance of happening, most parents take action by sending their teen(s) to military school or alternative schools. These alternative schools are ones in which, you the parent, order your child to go to, not the school system doing so.

In comparison, military schools are traditionally where parents send their troubled teens in order to turn them into productive members of society. Choosing to send your child to military school, however, does have several disadvantages. For example, sometimes they just aren’t the best choice for trying to get your teen back in line.

Admission fees and other expenses are usually collected upfront, and if your child gets expelled from the school, there are no refunds. Fortunately, there is another way to go about helping your teen and the pros of them outweigh the cons of the two types of schools.

Specialty Boarding Schools

Specialty Boarding Schools have some of the same qualities as military schools and more often than not are fit to help your teen get back into the swing of society. If your child has ADD/ADHD or other behavioral problems, there is also help for them. Troubled teens aren’t just those that are on the streets smoking cocaine, they can also be teens that are lonely or depressed. These conditions are ones that are important to address with a psychology professional, something that military schools do not offer to its recruits. The term specialty boarding schools is broad and sometimes hard to understand exactly what they are. Putting it simply, they can be, but are not limited to, therapeutic boarding schools, traditional boarding schools, and residential schools specializing in teens with ADD/ADHD.

Therapeutic Boarding Schools

Therapeutic boarding schools have traditional academics combined with therapeutic sessions, interventions, etc. to help troubled teens in their quest for fitting into society. Usually, teens stay at therapeutic schools for a full school year, about nine months. Most of them are strictly for high school students, but you can find some for middle school students and young adults between the ages of 17 and 24. Many of the schools are co-ed, but all girl and all boy schools are on the rise. They are well supervised, and are a great alternative to average military schools. Some specialize or are good for teens with ADD/ADHD and the like, but many are not. Some might be a little expensive, but it’s worth it, because so many miracles have happened at therapeutic boarding schools.

Boarding schools

Another alternative to your average military school is just a traditional boarding school. Traditional boarding schools allow your child to get away from their daily life and perhaps start their school life over. They are great for teens with low self-esteem from being bullied at school or any other cause. Boarding schools can be found all over the United States and can be fun for teens all while helping them learn how to deal with their emotional or behavioral problems with psychologists, counselors, or other adults that are licensed and trained to help them.

Though psychologists are not offered at every traditional boarding school, all boarding schools have counselors like regular schools do, so you can request scheduled visits for your teen with them. Teens can start at a traditional boarding school usually in the 7th grade, but there are many schools that do accept lower grade students as well. They are well supervised and you do have to pay for your teen(s) to go there, but they are a welcome alternative to military schools.

ADD/ADHD-specialty schools

Many other residential schools specialize in helping troubled teens and/or teens with ADD/ADHD. Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) is a condition with symptoms that include but are not limited to dreaminess, forgetfulness, and little or no management skills. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a disorder with symptoms such as distractibility, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Though there is no medical cure for either condition, sometimes all troubled teens with ADD/ADHD need is a change in setting, a residential school specializing in these two conditions could really help them get things under control. With a little searching on the Internet or other sources of information you can find residential schools in the United States for your teen(s) to attend. Of course, there is a fee but these schools can really help your teen manage their disorder, and get their life back on track.

Some people just don’t know or can’t tell the difference in a military school and an alternative school. To help you better understand the differences in military schools and alternative schools, here is a chart explaining the pros and cons.