Military Resistance and Conscientious Objection
for Those in the Military
The U.S. military
spends over $2.5 billion each year to recruit young
people into its ranks. Exciting military ads portray
the military as adventure, money for college, job
training, and personal fulfillment. But ads and often
recruiters don’t mention the moral dimensions
of the military or the dehumanization of military
training and war.
People who join the military often do not have a realistic
concept of what they are getting into; they may not
be fully informed about the sexism, racism, homophobia,
or strict regimen of the military. These realities
may not become apparent until the person enters the
military – sometimes as early as basic training,
other times when faced with the reality of killing
other human beings.
Thus, people who joined the military may find they
are asked to do things that violate their conscience.
Often, they do not know about conscientious objection
or realize that it fits with their beliefs.
Others may find that they cannot participate in particular
wars or battles for various reasons. For instance,
during the Gulf War, many service members stated that
they could not kill for oil; during the war in Vietnam,
many people of color could not justify fighting for
a country that denied them their rights at home. ("Conscientious
objection" may be too narrow a term to describe
all the reasons service members may resist; thus the
term "military resisters" is sometimes used.)
In the U.S. military, conscientious objection is a
privilege, not a legal right. In all cases, the applicant
must go through a process; CO status is not automatically
granted. The Military Selective Service Act and government
regulations do recognize two types of conscientious
objectors:
 Conscientious
objector to all forms of military service (Class
1-0): These people, by reason of religious, ethical,
or moral belief, are opposed to participation in
war in any form. In the event of a draft, they are
exempt from military service, although they may
be required to perform alternative civilian service.
If already in the military, they may be discharged
(cutting off all legal ties with the military).
 Noncombatant conscientious
objector (Class 1-A-O): These people, by reason
of religious, ethical, or moral belief, are opposed
to killing in war in any form and to bearing arms
but do not object to performing noncombatant duties
in the military. They can be reassigned to noncombatant
duties; this does not, however, keep them from being
deployed to a combat zone.
The military does not recognize selective conscientious
objection or resistance. In military terms, conscientious
objection only applies to participation in war, not
(necessarily) all forms of force or violence (such
as personal self-defense). (War is a nation’s
organized and orchestrated use of deadly force to
further a policy objective.)
Because of these regulations, some military resisters
have served jail time rather than participate in a
military system or fight in wars they did not believe
in.
To get a discharge or reassignment as a CO, you must
submit a written application to your commanding officer.
In it, you must describe the nature of your beliefs
about participation in war; how your beliefs changed
or developed since you entered the military; when
and why you felt you could no longer continue service
in the military because of your beliefs; and how your
daily lifestyle has changed as a result of your beliefs.
Letters of support should also be included. Then you
will have three interviews: with a psychiatrist, a
military chaplain, and an investigation officer. On
the basis of this information, the military will determine
whether it believes you to be a CO.
Getting an early discharge is not easy, and the procedures
are often quite complicated. In addition, COs often
face stereotypes and may be judged not on the sincerity
of their beliefs or the legal definitions, but whether
they fit the stereotype. It is best to contact a trained
counselor, such as those at the GI Rights Hotline
(www.girights.org).
There are also many other types of discharges, such
as hardship, that may fit your situation.
During times of war, the process for separation from
the military becomes even more difficult and filled
with obstacles and harassment, especially for those
filing CO claims. Preparation time may be very limited,
as CO applicants may face imminent activation or deployment.
(In fact, the armed forces are allowed to deploy a
person who has already filed a CO claim.)
It is crucial that as much time as possible be spent
on a CO application. Emphasizing how beliefs against
participation in war began before the current crisis
(or before the applicant knew that it would affect
her or him) is important. CO applicants should work
closely with military counselors or lawyers.
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