We were intrigued by the article published in 'Il Fatto Quotidiano' on 19 September entitled "Piedmont, 'no to the army in schools': the letter against orientation conferences organised by the military". The article expresses a highly critical stance towards the presence of the Armed Forces in schools, describing it as a threat to the values of peace and democracy. This view, although respectable, ignores how profoundly the Italian Army has changed in recent decades.
The writer served as a troop volunteer in the Folgore Parachute Brigade from 1999 to 2002a period when the Italian Army was already going through a process of renewal. This change led the Armed Forces, with the introduction of professional soldiers and the intensification of international peacekeeping missions, where it was also necessary to deal with foreign armies, to adopt increasingly stringent measures to ensure a culture of respect, discipline and transparency, moving away from outdated practices.
Our commanders, back in 1999, firmly conveyed to us that any form of discrimination - political, sexual or racial - was absolutely unacceptable. I served my country, Italy, in an environment geared towards formal education, respect and the defence of democratic values. This change was already tangible in those years, and today the Army is even more focused on its defence function, not on warlike ideologies.
It is important to remember that the Armed Forces are not an instrument of propaganda or violence, but guarantors of democracy and peace, values enshrined in our Constitution. Military institutions are not tied to any political agenda, and orientation activities in schools offer a realistic view of a career in which service to the country is an act of responsibility and protection of fundamental freedoms.
The Italian Army, like the other Armed Forces, is heavily involved in operations to support and sustain international stability. Moreover, the same soldiers participating in these international missions are also involved in theOperation Safe Streets national territory, actively contributing to the security of citizens. Therefore, it is crucial that young people understand and know the tools of the nation's defence.
Military language, often described as rigid or formal, is actually based on a respectful dialogue and strongly oriented towards the professionalism of the Soldier or Soldieress. Training young people to know the Army does not mean promoting war, but offering them an alternative of service to the country.
The Armed Forces do not 'militarise' schools, as stated in the article in 'Il Fatto Quotidiano'. On the contrary, they enable children to understand what it means to defend freedom, peace and democracy - values that paradoxically the article seems to want to protect by removing the Army from the classroom.
Living in a peaceful and free society requires awareness of the importance of means of defence. Schools should be places where all voices are heard, where young people can form opinions based on facts and not stereotypes. To do so, they must be exposed to different realities, including that of the Armed Forces.
Today's Italian Army is an apolitical instrument, committed to the protection of democratic values. Denying young people the opportunity to learn about this reality means depriving them of a fundamental part of their civic education and understanding of the modern world.
The fact that isolated episodes of political exaltation or violence have occurred in some barracks, often at the hands of guests from a past that no longer reflects the reality of the Armed Forces today, is undeniable. However, similar situations can occur in any organisation or company. The difference is that, when this happens within the walls of a barracks, the military or political leadership of Defence has always acted firmly, punishing those responsible.
In today's Army there is no room for violence or extremism.
On this website, where we narrate the independent the history and activities of the Italian Army, with a special focus on the Folgore Parachute Brigade, there is no political reference or incitement to violence. On the contrary, violent or politically or racially motivated comments are absolutely forbidden, in line with the military upbringing received by the writer, based on respect and neutrality.
We believe that the Army's presence in schools is not an act of militarisation, but an opportunity for the young citizens of tomorrow to grow.
Cordially, Alessandro Generotti