Would Maths be better if it was taught by a sergeant major?
According to Labour, it would both be more memorable and help develop a better work ethos.
The party is considering introducing former members of the military into schools as part of a network of specialist "service schools."
The proposal is one of a number of ideas under consideration to give young people the chance to benefit from the values and expertise of the armed forces.
"The ethos and values of the Services can be significant not just on the battlefield but across our society, including in schools," Shadow education secretary Stephen Twigg and Shadow defence secretary Jim Murphy write in the Daily Telegraph.
"The 'service ethos' emphasises the importance of character formation and high ethical standards, as well as the development of crucial skills such as team-working," he added.
READ STEPHEN TWIGG'S BLOG : What Is the Key Ingredient of a Successful School?
Twigg and Murphy point to the Duke of York's Royal Military School in Dover as an example of military success within the education system, citing its academy status as a reason behind its improved results.
The announcement comes in the wake of the government's behaviour tsar Charlie Taylor calling for trainee teachers to be given lessons on body language in order to control naughty pupils.
However the new "service schools" will not be aimed at schools that have previously experienced discipline problems: "Our plans are not about creating boot camps nor are they about recruitment" writes Twigg.
Labour envision that specialist service schools could be particularly popular in more deprived areas which lack the educational opportunities available in more affluent areas.
Twigg also hopes to see more young people sign up to the cadet forces, saying that they would support state schools which wanted a cadet force by helping them partner with nearby schools which had one.
Quoting research from the University of Southampton, Twigg and Murphy point to cadets' "high self esteem levels and respect for authority that cadets" as a reason for promoting the enterprise.