Hank Investigates: Student Soldier

They're high school students now, but where will they go next? Some into college, some into the work force..and some will start their future with the armed forces.

To make sure enough new recruits sign up we found Congress is giving the military some unprecedented help: automatic access to personal information, name, address and phone number of every public high school student in the country. If schools refuse to hand it over--they risk losing federal funds.

Bill Carr/Department of Defense
"Recruiting is often referred to as the lifeblood of the armed forces."

Before recruiters get the list the law, effective 2002, requires schools notify parents they can stop their child's names from being released. That's what Pat Levesh did for her two sons.

Pat Levesh/Parent
"This is really life and death, this is really important stuff."

But our statewide investigation found some schools breaking the law--not informing parents of their rights.

Three Lynn High schools; 2500 students. How many of their parents were told they could say no to recruiters? Not one.

Hank
"Where is it in this handbook?"

The Deputy Superintendent had told us the opt-out notice was in the schools handbook--but it wasn't there.

Bill Frost, Deputy Superintendent, Lynn Public Schools
"I don't see it."

And in Lynn how many parents requested their kids names be withheld? Not one.

Hank
"Could it be that parents are not opting out because they have no idea they can?"

Bill Frost, Deputy Superintendent, Lynn Public Schools
"I think that perhaps that's a fair statement."

These handbooks and newsletters we obtained from local high schools revealed over the last two years opt out notices nonexistent or like Danvers, buried. A Duxbury handbook--page 26--has no mention of military or recruiters. The North Quincy high school handbook puts it after lunchroom and prom rules, page 30.

Mariama White-Hammond/Project Hip Hop
"If you don't tell them not to they're automatically gonna do it."

To make sure parents and students know their rights, some local groups hit high schools--offering opt out post cards.

And we found: most students have no idea where their names are going.

Hank
"Did you know about this?"

Student
"No I didn't."

Student
"No I didn't know about that."

When names are released, recruiters telemarket the military to students at home.

Recruiter
"We're just contacting some of the local students..."

As a result, some school officials say they're struggling to balance students privacy with legal obligations.

At Lowell High--where the award winning ROTC is top of the line the principal prefers recruiters visit the school.

William Samaras, Principal, Lowell High School
"I don't like giving lists of students away."

Hank
"So it's not anti-military, it's pro-privacy."

William Samaras, Principal, Lowell High School
"That's absolutely right."

Some schools: Chatham, Fitchburg, Brookline, Boston--highlight the opt out notification in individual mailings and banner headlines. Braintree sends a handbook and letter to parents. As a result almost 40 percent are keeping their kid's names private.

Anthony King, Guidance Counselor, Braintree High School
"It's important for parents to understand what their rights are under this law."

The Defense Department told us students need to know the military is a valuable option and insists their access is no different from class ring and yearbook companies. They also agree parents should be told to know their rights.

Bill Carr, Department of Defense
"The law allows the dialogue to occur, and then the young person makes their choice."

Why are schools not telling parents? They gave us excuses like too time consuming, too complicated, too expensive. If you have questions about the list--check directly with your child's high school.

For more information on the No Child Left Behind Law and military recruiters

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