conscientious objector?

Question

I read an article about people getting out of the military because they are against the war. Our government spends hundreds of thousands on training them, and not to mention all the tax dollars they spend if they claim disability compensation. How could someone join the military and claim they can not goto war under the consientious objector clause? Why join the military? I just want opinions.

Regardless of the reasons for joining the military (I personally joined for the benefits) the Military is what the governments uses for WAR. If there is not known war going on at the time, it doesn't mean one won't break out. It is always a possibility. I just don't think someone should join if they have any doubts at all. And we are all told in basic training that we answer to the Commander in Chief. Whether or not we agree is beside the point. I didn't agree with a lot of things I was told to do and even as a civilian I often disagree with my supervisors, that doesn't mean I have a right to take hundreds of thousands of dollars, tax payers dollars, and run. I don't know, I guess if you actually see combat and decide you don't want to see that again then it's a different playing ground, but otherwise I disagree with the CO policy

Answer 1

Many people join the military in peacetime for benefits like training or G.I. Bill. I, myself, am a Nam era vet and I knew people in the '80s who joined and then, later, claimed to be Gay so they could get out and not give service for the training they had received. During Desert Storm lots of army personnel jumped up claiming "conscientious objector" status, there were all kinds of screams of "We didn't know we might have to go to WAR!" A lot of us, career military types all-I was a 20 year man- were going "What did you think the Army was for, if not to go to war"? I actually enjoyed Military life, I was good at it, not everyone is. Those who aren't have no business joining. If not enough U.S citizens believe our country is worth defending, then our country does not deserve to survive. Spartans used to say "With your shield or on it!", later on this custom died out, so did Sparta.

Answer 2

The statute under which someone can claim conscientious objector status I believe has been eliminated in the rewrite of the legislation that required all young men at 18 to register with selective service which was updated within the last 5 years.
While it is possible, in past times, for a person ,while being trained as a combat infantryman, to doscover that they cannot take a life (an occupational hazard in this line of work) such astounding revelations have almost been ruled out of the equation due to the amount of pysch evaluation you are given throughout the training process. The military wants to separate those individuals that don't fit the mold out as quickly and as harmlessly as possible. Look at the 14 different "enlisted in error" designations that can get you bumped out the door. Geting out of the military after one has done his/her service and finds that their personal beliefs no longer mesh with the command structure - no problem. Conscientious objector status is yesterday's news.

Answer 3

What I think that is not being considered is those who joined the National Guard and were told they would stay state-side because that was their job. Now they are being "drafted" to go to Iraq. This is not right. This is not what they signed up for.

There are those who signed up prior to 9/11 that had contracts that are still active, they may not agree why we are at war. If you do not believe in the cause, and you see legal issues with the war, you have the right to be a conscientious objector.

There are those who were supposed to get out of the military just short of the time after 9/11 and they are still being kept in because they have what they consider a backdoor draft. This does not happen to everyone but I am aware of a few soldiers currently dealing with a similar situation.

Then there are those who served that they have called back. They put them through more training and attempt to force them to go to war. I know of one man that lost his job, got behind on his house payments and other bills only to be told that he did not pass his physical and they refuse to pay him for the time they held him.

There are circumstances that are not understood by many and so to have a blanket condemnation is not right.

Answer 4

The military is not always at war. They join during peacetime and leave when at war. Think of the Presidents of the US who did not serve before you form opinions about conscientious objectors. If we're truly fighting for freedom, then why can't there be freedom to object to a war fought over oil?

Answer 5

One category C.O. is a person who against all wars, not just the one(s) you don't like. Another kind of C.O. is a person who is willing to do a patriotic duty and serve in military service but not be required to kill or do harm to another human being. C.O. status is often sought by those who were formerly known as "cowards." I and many other C.O.s served in the military, often in combat, doing vital work...I was on active military duty from 1955 to 1962, then as a civilian with military units from 1962 to 1968. There are non-combat jobs for those who want to serve.

Answer 6

Fear rules the lives of many.
Young men years ago put their ages up to join the defence forces they were a different breed back then tough.
The only way to retain freedom and peace within ones country is through a prepared defence force.
Look at some countries around the world and it is compulsory for young men to become soldiers they have no choice .
The army navy air force is an honorary profession and it makes men out of boys.
Gives them a sense of self esteem and discpline.
One only needs to take a close look at most of them especially those who are career soldiers they are respectful courteous and content.
Of course no one likes war but there are times they need to be fought.
To all of our heroes out there Job 5:19-26.
Thank you for the protection of our country and help to our allies.
Take care!

Answer 7

Many people joined (in peacetime) because of the "we'll pay for your education" ads rather than because they wanted to fight in a war.

The military spends over $2 billion a year for recruitment purposes. That's just ads, nothing to do with training. Maybe we should look at spending that (our) money in some other fashion.

Answer 8

I was confused by that myself. But I do believe one of them did to a tour or Iraq, if he did that, and he did his job but it changed him. I can understand his point of few.

But if they enlist and then get orders, do not go to a combat zone because they claim they are COs, I don't buy it.

The should have to pay back every cent the government paid to train them, that means no GI Bill and they owe lots of money for a long time.

My son enlisted. He knows he may go to a combat area if he re-enlists, and he accepts that. I am really proud of the man he has become.

Answer 9

People get sucked into this belief that serving the country is a noble and glorious task no doubt we need a military to protect our freedoms i will give my detractors that but we are all human beings which means we are all far from perfect a military that is run by humans will only have their best motivations behind them and therefore their judgment will be skewed

Answer 10

some people are so blind how many innocence lives have to go to war. war that solves nothing time shows over and over again. nothing is gained from war except greed. blind America can go stick their nose where it doesn't belong but let another country come try to invade us because we have people starving. war solves nothing.