About the National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth (NNOMY)

The National Network Opposing the Militarization of Youth (NNOMY) is a U.S.-based coalition of peace and human rights organizations that works to oppose the militarization of schools and the recruitment of young people into the military nnomy.org+1.

Origins and Purpose

NNOMY was founded in 2004 after the national counter-recruitment conference “Stopping War Where it Begins” in Philadelphia nnomy.org+1. It was created as a decentralized, flexible network to connect local, regional, and national activists, promoting communication, collaboration, and coordinated action against militarism in education nnomy.org.

Its mission is to:

• Raise awareness about the presence of military recruitment in schools.

• Provide peaceful, viable alternatives to military service for youth.

• Demilitarize schools and protect civilian public education nnomy.org+1.

Key Campaigns

NNOMY has organized and supported numerous campaigns, including:

• A National Call: Save Our Civilian Public Education – Addressing Pentagon and corporate influence in K–12 and university education, and advocating for the removal of military programs from schools nnomy.org+1.

• Divest “Your Body” from the War Machine – In partnership with CODEPINK, encouraging communities to divest from companies profiting from militarization and to offer youth alternative service opportunities nnomypeace.net+1.

• Campaigns Against JROTC and Marksmanship Training – Working to end involuntary placements in Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps and remove shooting ranges from schools nnomypeace.net+1.

• Winning the Peace – A national leafletting campaign to inform youth about the realities of military enlistment and alternatives Wikipedia.

Notable Achievements

• Shut down JROTC firing ranges at 11 high schools in 2009, with similar successes in Hawaii and Maryland Wikipedia.

• Significant reductions in Marine Corps JROTC enrollment and removal of shooting ranges from multiple schools Wikipedia.

How to Get Involved

You can join NNOMY by:

• Joining the network to access resources and collaborate with other activists.

• Participating in campaigns such as school counter-recruitment drives, public education efforts, or divestment initiatives.

• Sharing information and organizing local events to raise awareness nnomypeace.net.

NNOMY’s work is rooted in the belief that providing all youth with peaceful, non-military pathways to success is a sign of a civilized society!