Catchy slogans such as “I want you,” posted in bold letters above a serious looking Uncle Sam pointing to the reader, and “Be all that you can be,” attached to a melodic jingle, have been used by the military to grab attention for years. Today, those slogans are still showing up in high schools and some parents are beginning to get upset, calling for the removal of military advertisements.

However direct these military advertisements may be, parents need to realize the military is a viable option for some people and the military recruiting posters need to stay in place for students to see.

The Madison School District is receiving heat from parents over advertisements promoting the U.S. Army on scoreboards at the district’s main athletic fields and high school gyms, according to an article in the Wisconsin State Journal. The ads are a part of a district plan to raise $200,000 from advertisers to make up for budget shortfalls. Parents say the advertisements violate a district policy for military recruitment at the school and one parent even said she “would rather see classes being cut and students being shortchanged in their education” over seeing young people go off to war.

Parents need to keep these advertisements in perspective and realize that just because somebody looks at an advertisement doesn’t mean they will be enticed to call the number listed and end up in a war-torn country.

They also need to keep in mind that colleges recruit and the military needs to do the same. It wasn’t long ago that students were drafted into the military, not asked to volunteer. The military is an option available for students who don’t necessarily want to go to college right after graduating.

To say that you would rather see everyone’s education shortchanged rather than see one person join the military is absurd. People who join the military know the risks.

Parents need to support those students who choose the military path, just as much as they support those going to college.