The Connection Between Gun Violence and the Military
When authorities found that Nicholas Cruz was a JROTC (Junior Reserves Officer Training Corps) student on February 14th, people argued that his connection with JROTC revealed a deeper reason for why gun violence is an epidemic in our country.
JROTC is an army-sponsored program that is devoted to teaching high school students leadership skills. Of course, being army sponsored, JROTC has gotten flak for “indoctrinating” kids with the propaganda of the “war machine.” When asked if JROTC forces high school students to go to the army after college, many army instructors said it’s not true. Many students do not go to the army after completing the JROTC program. If they do go to the army, then they do so through personal choice.
Despite these facts, people are arguing that the JROTC program is another symptom of the country’s “military worship.” “Military worship” is argued to be the country’s most toxic vice. Some people, like David French from the conservative publication, the National Review, argued that military worship allows soldiers or veterans feel embolden to partake in cruel atrocities. They are not wrong because data is on their side. Journalist David C. Swanson revealed that 34 percent of the country’s mass shooters came from the military. Upon the revelation, people are debating over whether or not the military does have a role in gun violence. But, for some people, the answer is clear that the military is involved.
Shailja Patel, a Kenyan author, tweeted “What does gun control even mean when militarism is the national religion? When the media platforms that lambast the NRA today will glorify Empire tomorrow? How do you teach kids ‘guns are bad’ and ‘support our troops’ in the same classroom? Sometimes on the same day?”
Ajamu Baraka, Green Party Candidate for VP, also tweeted “I will say again if you don’t oppose U.S. militarism warmongering and arms sales as #1 arms dealer on the planet then you are a moral hypocrite on the issue of gun violence in the U.S.” Obviously, they are not big fans of gun control. But, if gun control is not the suitable option, then, what is?
The answer is demilitarization.
Demilitarization includes dismantling the military a la Japan after World War II. Now, demilitarization may seem like an “unrealistic” option in a country that is so characterized by its military. But, some are saying the country being defined by its military is the problem here. If the country continues to be defined solely by their military, then the country is allowing the violence perpetrated by the military to continue. The violence perpetrated by the military will spill out in normal settings like a school.
Yes, demilitarization may be uncomfortable to ponder. But, if the gun violence keeps happening, then demilitarization should be something to be considered.