Now, two years later, over 1,500 students are faced with the same dilemma as the San Francisco Board of Education, led by Mark Sanchez and Dan Kelly, continues to tarnish the program’s reputation in order to get rid of it completely. Sanchez and Kelly insist that the military’s “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy is the main reason behind the petition and portray JROTC as a direct reflection of the military.

Not only is this not true, it is also unfair to the program. JROTC may get funding from the military and emulate some of its customs, but that does not mean that members of the program share the same views as those who rank high in the military chain of command. Students and advisors who make up the program are able to form their own opinions and criticize laws and policies that they feel are unfair.

For example we stopped class many times to discuss the war in Iraq. My fellow cadets and I were able to not only express our disapproval of the military, but also brainstorm alternative ways to combat terrorism.

It was during those classroom conversations that I developed critical thinking and debating skills. JROTC also teaches students basic disciplinary skills such as drilling, respect for the chain of command and the importance of physical fitness. On top of that, cadets go through first aid training, map reading, college and career planning and exercises that are aimed to build self-esteem and team work. It is hard to find all of this in any other school program.

Kelly, who led a commission against the program a decade ago, and Sanchez, who wrote the current proposal, claim that the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy is the reason for ending JROTC. Since then many students have spoken up and said that JROTC does not enforce this misguided policy and actually punishes any students who mock or criticize others for being gay.

As in any other class, JROTC students are encouraged to accept each other for their differences regardless of race, gender or sexual orientation. Lincoln High School alumnus and former brigade commander Bobby Cheung, who was crowned 2004’s Mr. Transgender San Francisco, actively participated in his school’s boys’ drill team but also earned the position of brigade commander. Cheung spoke to The Lowell in an April 29 article “The War Over JROTC” about the level of acceptance and support he received in the JROTC program while he was exploring his gender issues.

It seems as though Kelly and Sanchez are choosing to protest the military’s policies by picking on JROTC instead of taking their fight to the national level. Getting rid of JROTC will not persuade the military to change and will only deprive San Francisco students of the chance to excel in one of the most unique and positive programs the school has to offer.