Do you think character and integrity based education should be taught in K-12 schools?

My reaction to this challenge is a lot like jumping into a lake early in the Spring. I'm sprinting along the dock in joyful anticipation and then stop to stick my toe in and test the waters. After all, isn't this what's happening in schools today: "They" are teaching (indoctrinating?) students into "their" concepts of character and integrity. We used to have civics as part of the curriculum but that has largely disappeared. Now, instead of individual rights and responsibilities, students are being taught Utopian (socialist) concepts of equality of outcome and selfless immersion into the collective for the greater good. Thus, if we get behind any program to introduce "character and integrity based education" keep in mind that while the concept may sound good it may not be executed by people who share your values of character and integrity

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJFC1qFCgyA

If you really think about this these values are taught by most parents starting at birth in some way shape or form. Nobody really wants thier child to grow up disrespectful and a criminal. But we can only do our best as parents and unfortunately that is not always enough. The problem is the ones that don't teach them are the ones ruining are society.

great question a great foundation for young citizens and future warriors

I love this idea. Of course I would hope some kind of background and "quality control" checks would be in place for anyone involved with the program. Essentially something similar to modern Recruiter evaluations and some basic training on talking points would be helpful before putting someone in front of a room full of kids.

I believe the military values are extremely important, but today's parents are more sensitive than recent generations, they are always looking for something to complain about. Just be careful how you present it. Bc some body somewhere will try to. Say. We are brain washing them. My family is 90% military except for my father and he says I was brain washed in basic training and. AIT, my grandfather and uncle told him I was the same person with the same beliefs just fit for duty. My point is people are always looking for an excuse to point the finger, please be careful in your presentation. Plz don't get me wrong, I teach my children about duty and honor pride...... But when my father hears this he says I'm brain washing. It's this narrow minded thinking in civilians that worries me, I believe our values should be taught. But we should watch from the side lines. It would not be the first time we took the back seat to our great ideas.

Dear Sirs,
First and foremost, military core values should be to wield an effective fighting force. I am a Vietnam vet and i've watched with dismay as the US military has become a breeding ground for social experiments.
Core values training in schools will fare just as well as curriculum has. If the values are reinforced in the home, they will benefit. If not it will fail. My question has to be are we talking about esprit de corps? Loyalty? Succeeding as a team? Or are we talking about belief systems, suppressing individual student value systems for a greater value?
I think that we need to get public support for fixing the broken system that abandons our vets when they come home. Leave the PR and external systems alone. When the government begins to honor their commitments to our active and vet populations, then maybe look at other ways to portray military values... No disrespect intended. I just want the military to focus on the primary mission.

This is a very compelling question, given the issues in the news of late. I'm not a proponent of more classes on values Military or otherwise. Let me explain. Each of us has an interpretation of what those core values mean and how we interpret them. So the baseline will be different from location to location. If you think I am wrong think back to all the times you sat in mandatory 350-1 class. How often was the message different or spun? In my experience nearly every time. So here is what I suggest. Veterans get involved!!! If you think things are broken or trending the wrong direction - make a difference. Our local VFW has a partnership with the school district where during the weeks leading up to Veterans Day we volunteer to speak to the 5th grade class, than on Veterans Day we go to the school and are honored by the school and the 5th grade class. This has been one of the most moving experiences of my retired life. Another activity is during Pearl Harbor Day. Again, Vets are invited to speak to the high school about our military experience. Both of these events close the gap between the next generation and those who have served. What the kids see are military values in action, in how we carry ourselves, present our service, be part of the community.

Other ways you can share military values is to volunteer at your local school. Kids you work with are generally those who need the structure and guidance you provide, and the discipline life you lead.

I feel we have talked enough about what values look like, we need to start demonstrating what strong values and commitment looks like in a life lived well.

I thinkAmerican core values should be taught. Military values can be used you support that but the basic values need to be taught first

While I support the inclusion of basic ethics and morality in public school curriculum, I don't think any military personnel should be standard employees/features in any public school. I made a personal decision to join the military. I am fully responsible for my association. Not everybody feels this way.

Let me say again. I think that things like honor, personal courage, integrity and commitment should definitely be incorporated into how public schools instruct students. I just value personal choice and freedom too much to feel inclined to wrap that message up in the "military package". I don't want to force my decision down any one else's throat.

All,
The purpose of the #MentorsMatter program is to facilitate character and integrity education to K-12 students via a virtual platform. With the advent of common-core, coupled with financial and resource challenges being faced by school systems throughout our country, character education was one of the first curriculum items to go. #MentorsMatter seeks to provide the resources teachers and students need to bring this type of education back to the classroom again.
Mentors Matter ™ is an innovative program spearheaded by The General Leadership Foundation (GeneralLeadership.com) and Choose2Matter (Choose2Matter.org) that leverages propriety technology to smartly and safely connect young people in grades K-12 with Veterans of our armed forces. Together, in 30-45 minute guided sessions facilitated by exclusive technology partner Nepris (Nepris.com), Veterans guide young people through a structured interactive classroom conversation designed to expose students to the character traits of highly effective citizen-leaders.

By registering as mentors, veterans will create a safe, protected profile and share their unique skills & abilities with interested educators. When the program launches in schools across America this Fall, veterans can be contacted by teachers through the system to answer the need for a facilitator in a classroom. The facilitation is easy–done virtually via computer, tablet or phone–in a safe, constructive environment utilizing a curriculum that is ready-made and simple to guide in an empowering conversation.
So my question to you is: when are you going to sign up? It's easy, free, and the program is an easy way to participate and impact future generations. Simply visit the following link to learn more:
http://generalleadership.com/programs-2/mentorsmatter/