GUARD'S SEVENTH GRADE PROGRAM DRAWS HEAT

The Maine National Guard is facing criticism from an anti-war group
about a program that sends uniformed military officers into
seventh-grade classrooms around Maine.

The group, Maine Veterans for Peace, says the six-week program,
which discourages children at 37 schools from using drugs and often
culminates in a trip to an outdoor training base, also serves as a
military recruiting device.

"I think it is strictly a recruiting tool," said Jack Bussell, a
member of the anti-war group's board. "Military personnel have no
business being in middle schools."

The Guard disputes the notion that it's planting the seeds of
military service in young minds.

"This is just another way to serve the citizens of the state by
putting on a program that's congressionally approved and funded that
helps junior-high kids make good choices," said Gen. John Libby,
Maine's top military official.

The Guard's program is five years old, but at a time of increased
dissatisfaction with the Iraq war and efforts to limit military
recruitment in high schools, it's facing close scrutiny.

Maine Veterans for Peace began making inquiries earlier this year
after learning about the program from a parent in Woolwich.

Though some parents have voiced complaints, officials at a few
schools contacted for this article said the Guard program has been
positive and free of controversy.

"There's never been any concern whatsoever," said Sharon Burnell,
principal of Molly Ockett Middle School in Fryeburg. "There's no
recruiting going on. There's no mention of that."

The Adventure Program is just one of several drug initiatives run by
the Maine National Guard, according to Lt. Cindy Pantalone, who
oversees the program.

During six sessions that are free to schools, students learn about
making good decisions, building a team and becoming more confident, she said.

"Yes, it's done in uniform," Pantalone said. "It's what we wear to work."

Gen. Libby added: "Just as the DARE Program is conducted by police
officers who wear police uniforms because that's who they are, our
program is conducted by uniformed officers because that's who they are."

Activities listed on the Guard's Web site include wearing goggles to
simulate the impairment caused by alcohol and a version of the TV
game show "Jeopardy."

When Army National Guard and Air National Guard members first arrive
in the classroom, students often ask about why they joined the
military and whether they've been to Iraq, Pantalone said.

"I answer questions," she said. "The intent to join the military
doesn't even come into play."

Educators generally learn about the Adventure Program through word
of mouth, but the Guard approached some schools when it was looking
to expand into Aroostook and Washington counties, Pantalone said.

She also noted that participating schools, most of which are public,
are supposed to send a letter home to parents before the program
begins. She acknowledged that the Guard has learned of a few cases
in which that did not happen.

The program culminates with a trip - usually during the school day,
but occasionally overnight - to a military-operated training base.
One of the bases is in Gardiner, and the other is in western Maine
near the New Hampshire border. Students climb a 10-foot wall, ride
tire swings and shimmy across a rope bridge.

Mary Martin, principal of Elm Street School in Mechanic Falls, said
she participated in last year's trip, which was made in cold, wet weather.

"And not one kid complained," she said. "They were really into the
activities. It was a beneficial day."

Frank Hayward, principal of the private Chop Point School in
Woolwich, said the program has been popular with students and teachers alike.

"And we didn't have any ill side effects to all of this," he added.
"None of our parents got concerned or anxious."

But elsewhere, some parents have raised objections.

Amy Brown, whose has a son in eighth grade at Lake Region Middle
School in Naples, said she learned about the National Guard program
after her son already had participated.

An informational session at the school failed to allay her concerns.
She'd like to see the program become an optional after-school activity.

"It's not active recruiting. It's sort of laying the groundwork for
kids," she said. "To me, it's just an impressionable age. And it
just doesn't strike me as an appropriate school activity."

Lisa Savage, who until this year worked as literacy coordinator at
Messalonskee Middle School in Oakland, expressed the same concern.

"What you're basically trying to get is brand recognition," she
said. "No one's going to buy your product unless they know your brand."

Last month, Maine Veterans for Peace expressed its objection to the
program in letters to the participating Maine schools.

Bussell, who wrote the letters for the anti-war group, said he feels
the program's fun activities will give children a false impression
of what the National Guard does.

One of the questions posed in the 37 letters is whether the schools
allow parents to opt out of the program.

Most of the schools have not written back, Bussell said.