Opt-Out Frequently Asked Questions:

Your school is now required to give your personal contact information, including your home address and phone number, to military recruiters.

If you DO NOT want your information given to the military, you have the right to “opt out.” That means that if you sign this form and return it to your school by October 15th, your information will be kept private.

If you do not sign this form, your contact information WILL be given to the military.

Q. Does this mean that recruiters can’t talk to you, or that you can’t join the military?
A. No. It means that YOU can decide if and when to talk to a recruiter, rather than having them calling you or coming to your house.

Q. Does this mean that colleges or employers can’t get information about you from the school?
A. No. If you only check the line that says “Military Recruiters” then your information can be sent to colleges or employers.

Q. Can you get in trouble with the school or the government if you “opt out”?
A. No. You WILL NOT get in trouble. Some people, especially immigrants, are afraid that if they sign this “opt out” letter that they could get in trouble. No one will be told that you “opted out”. That is the whole point. It is a way to keep information about you private.

Q. Can you change your mind later?
A. If you do not “opt out” and your contact information is given to the military, there is no way to get it back. On the other hand, if you “opt out” now and later decide that you do want military recruiters to have your contact information, you can write a note and give it to the school and you will be put back on the list that the school gives to recruiters.

Q. Once you have “opted out” do you have to sign this form again each year?
A. You should not have to fill this form out again. It is the school’s responsibility to honor your wishes unless you tell them IN WRITING to make a change. However, if you switch schools, you need to opt out again.

For more information:

Ya-Ya Network, 212 239-0022, info@yayanetwork.org

New York Civil Liberties Union 212 344-3005, www.nyclu.org

Leave My Child Alone Coalition www.leavemychildalone.org

American Friends Service Committee 215 241-7176, www.afsc.org/youthmil