What Every Parent Must Know About Enrolling Their Troubled Child in Military School

When most Americans think of military school, they generally envision a place parents can take troubled youth and magically get them whipped into tiptop shape. That belief is so ingrained in the minds of the masses, that when they are confronted with dealing with a thoroughly rebellious and wayward child, the first thing that pops into the forefront of their thinking is, "You're going to military school!"

With their minds irrevocably made up, the next step the exhausted and heavyhearted parent(s) take is deciding on which military school to enroll their child in and how they are going to pay the tuition. Then in an instant, their flesh and blood is signed up and shipped away with the belief that military school is going to set him straight.

Then it happens as in most cases... nothing! And the dreams of having their child grow up from staunch rebellion to being a youth that minds his manners are dashed once again. The only problem is; the family is minus the tuition they sprung.

Contrary to popular belief, if a child is suffering from any type of behavioral or emotional issues; military school is probably not best place for them. Bare in mind that military schools are not designed or configured to provide intervention for troubled youth. As a matter of fact, the strict nature and extremely high demand for self-imposed discipline could prove to be nothing more than a gauntlet for certain wayward youth.

It is true the child may temporarily show some behavioral improvements but those highlights are usually short lived. What parent has the ability to strike the same fear in a child as a drill instructor or as a group of cadets disgruntled with his conduct? And what parent would want to?

Once in a military school, the youth becomes accountable to himself, his drill instructor and to his fellow cadets. If he places his team's standing in jeopardy with his disruptive behavior, there is a pretty good chance his fellow cadets may subject him to what's called a, "Blanket party."

If you don't know what a "blanket party" is, I'll explain. It is an unwritten method of dishing out punishment. It became somewhat exposed to civilians in the movie, "Full Metal Jacket." Like it or not it, agree with it or not, it happens in the military and it happens in military schools.

Once a person that is thought to have violated the principles, rules, admonishments or orders set in place by the school, team or group. Or, they are perceived by the other cadets as being a detriment to the team in some shape, form or fashion. Or, they are perceived as being a troublemaker. Or, they are perceived as not fitting into the group, team or school, they are subject to becoming a recipient of a blanket party.

Here is how it works. A group will sneak upon the cadet during lights out and throw a blanket over his head so as to prevent him from identifying who is actually involved in the attack. As he is being held down, others start throwing punches. In some instances, bars of soap are placed in socks and the individuals repeatedly whack the blanket party victim.

Once the attack is over, everyone quickly returns to their bunks as if nothing happened and the disgruntled youth is left bewildered and in a lot of pain. None of the other cadets are going to spill the beans and the victim essentially has nowhere to turn.

Usually at that point, troubled youths whose modus operandi is rebellion, start seeking a rapid exit plan from their disciplined military minded tormentors. This is just another example as to why military schools are not a viable option for troubled youth.

Know The Difference Between a Reform School and a Military School
Perhaps the most common misperception many parents make is attributing reform schools, state sponsored boarding schools and juvenile boot camps to being military schools. Please note: these institutions are not military schools. They are places to house under aged offenders with the intent to reform them by scaring them straight. Some times it works; some times it doesn't.

Reform schools are essentially a combined prison and school. It's a last ditch effort by the judicial system to save our youth before they become hardened criminals. These institutions make every effort to imitate the high standards, disciplines and values of traditional military schools. They believe that the rigid, demanding, disciplined and highly structured environment can reform some of the wayward youth. Although they do to some degree, function like military schools, they are not actual military schools.

Know The Difference Between Behavioral Modification Boarding Schools and Military Schools
In case you didn't know it, we live in a capitalistic society. I'm bringing this up because there are certain companies that apparently receive some type of compensation for recruiting students into behavioral modification boarding schools. They usually grab the attention of unsuspecting individuals by peppering their advertisements with the term, "Military School."

They blatantly falsely advertise that military schools are specifically designed to help youth who are struggling with alcohol dependence and drug abuse, rebellion and psychological issues, and even eating disorders.

Once parents take the bait, thinking they are signing their child up for military school, they are put through the switch process and their child actually ends up in a behavioral modification boarding school. To be clear; this is an extremely unethical ploy... but it goes on everyday.

Behavioral modification boarding schools are designed to address youth who are facing issues such as: failing in school, anger management, rebellion, running away, ADD, ADHD, depression, manipulation and other issues. But to be clear, these boarding schools are not military schools by any stretch of the imagination.

What You Need To Know About Genuine Military Schools
Military schools have an esteemed history that is built on:

Self-discipline
High educational expectations
Strict codes of conduct
Integrity
Honor
Duty
Respect
Service to your country

That means when a youth or a teenager enrolls in a military school, they are expected to embrace its code of conduct right out of the gate, no questions asked and not by force. As you can readily see, military school standards are not ones that can be imposed on any youth. They are part of a total package that a young person has to wholeheartedly embrace.