Public High Schools and Military Recruiting

Is there a higher presence of military recruiters in public high schools compared to private ones? What's your experience been?

In general, military recruiters do tend to have a more substantial presence in public schools compared to private ones. This observation primarily stems from the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) which mandates that high schools receiving federal funding—most commonly, public schools—provide military recruiters the same access to students as they offer to colleges or potential employers. This means that military recruiters may visit public schools for job fairs or career days, have information available in school career centers, or even set up informational booths regularly.

Private schools, on the other hand, do not usually receive federal funding, and thus, are not subject to the same ESSA requirements. As a result, the presence of military recruiters in these institutions depends largely on the school's policies and culture. Some private schools may invite military recruiters to career fairs, while others might not include them at all.

It's important to remember that experiences can vary tremendously from school to school. Some public schools might limit the access of military recruiters, while some private schools might actively invite them. Ultimately, the frequency and manner of military recruitment in high schools are heavily influenced by the specific school policies, the local community, and the priorities and values of the school administration.