If an officer joins the military during a conflict, gets trained and commissioned.?

Question

Should he decide if he wants to go fight or not? Should he be branded a traitor. What do all you veterans think. I'm referring to 1st. Lt. Ehren Watada stance on refusing to go to Iraq.

Answer 1

I think he should be charged with disobeying a direct order, Lose his commision as an Officer, be reduced to a Private E-1 with forfeiture of all pay all benefits while serving an appropriate sentence in Levenworth for dereliction of duty and then be thrown out of the military with a dis-honorable discharge. Case Closed, Next Case.

Answer 2

Just some clarifications to clear up some answers:

1) an officer can't be "busted down to private (E-1)." That's not the way the officer corp works. If he's convicted he should be broken back down to 0-1 and serve jail time with a dishonorable discharge.

2) As has been pointed out, the enlisted oath and the officer oath are different. We are not following orders of the president under the UCMJ... we are, without any mental reservation OR PURPOSE OF EVASION setting about to WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF OUR OFFICE. Which parts of this is Lt Watada failing in? I'll give you a hint: I capitalized it.

3) Lt Watada has argued that he believes the Iraq war to be unjust. That's a matter of personal opinion, and the action of a just war is a decision made at the national governmental level -- NOT at the level of a Lieutenant. His arguement is that an order to deploy constitutes an illegal order, but ... this is where that government deciding just wars becomes important... an order to deploy can NEVER be an illegal order. An illegal order is something like "shoot and kill this unarmed and innocent civilian we've captured." Lt Watada's arguement will hold absolutely NO water whatsoever.

Now, in my personal opinion... I think it's a disgrace to the officer corp to see his behavior. Personally, this represents political lime lighting and I think he should get his just rewards: a long stay in an uncomfortable military prison.

Answer 3

That oath you are refering to is the enlisted oath.The officer oath is different.

I (insert name), having been appointed a (insert rank) in the U.S. Army under the conditions indicated in this document, do accept such appointment and do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter, so help me God.

Lt Watada feels that the war is a violation of the constitution and constitutional rights of the US. Also, Congress never declared war but allowed the use of troops including reserves.


In an article, Lt Watada stays that just because someone gives you an order you just don't go and do it with out thinking about the legality in it. The Uniform Code of Justice Article 92 explains that a the lawfulness of "a general order or regulation is lawful unless it is contrary to the Constitution, the laws of the United States, or lawful superior orders of from some other reasion is beyond the authority of the official issuing it" Although he disobeyed in order, Lt Watada believes that is it illegal and against the constitution.

Whether or not the war is illegal or not can not be determined by him or the army, that is determined on a higher power. Most likely he will be convicted but I guess he feels he is doing what is right and that he would be following an illegal order.

Answer 4

The military has never been a democracy. You are to carry out the orders of those appointed over you, and he did not. An officer is to have the highest levels of integrity, professionalism, and is always the example. In this case a bad example. In the very least he is guilty of refusal of orders, derelection of duty, and conduct unbecoming, and should get the maximum for that, as that example. Now comes the tricky part...this is in a time of war. Like it or not, the Court Martial could include abandonment of post and other treasonous charges. I guess what I'm saying, is that he deserves to be locked up for a very long time, and I'm glad he wasn't leading any troops. I still can't fathom why someone would join the military, contractually obligate themselves to the Infantry, and not expect to see conflict at some point in their careers. That and there is a conscientuous objector clause in your contract, so he must have lied about that too..

Answer 5

He is, by definition a traitor (dictionary.com traitor - 1. a person who betrays another, a cause, or any trust.
2. a person who commits treason by betraying his or her country.)

"...that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic...I will obey the orders of the President of the United States..."

The United States placed a certain amount of trust in this young man to uphold his oath when he was commissioned. He had no trouble drawing a paycheck when he was living on easy street, but when the sh*t hit the fan, he decides he is too good for the military.

Try him and let a jury of his peers decide that he is a traitor, and then punish him accordingly.

Answer 6

hell, i joined after 9/11, but not because of 9/11. then 2 moinths after i joined, we invaded iraq. i knew then that i didn't think that the war was just, but when my time to go to iraq came, i went. i wanted to see first hand at what was happening. the armed forces are doing a lot more than just blowing stuff up. we actually are trying to get a country to set up under a new government and a new way of life. it aint easy, but im beginning to think it probably wont happen, but then again it might. it will be interesting to go back again and see the changes. the one thing that i do know, is this LT should go. part of the army is to travel the world, meet interesting and exotic people, and kill them.

Answer 7

And I quote....."I, (State your Name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

.....if you are a Vet, or current Military you too took this oath. I read about Watada and all his rants, excuses are like belly buttons, everyone has one, but you promised to do a job, so do it! Im sure he wasn't complaining when the Army paid off his college and training.

Answer 8

I quit Wal-Mart today. I got tried of working for a manager that kept asking me to do stuff, like get buggies, stock shelves, etc.

It was immoral, horrid. I can not believe anyone would ask me to do my job even after I told them when they hired me. I was just there for the benefits. Wal-mart has a great health care package.

Seriously, though.

Not all soldiers agree with the War. No one ever completely agrees with the Wars fought. BUT!!!

I did my time in this WAR on Terrorism. I will proudly do it again. This guy is a chicken-poop pansie. That deserves no more than a complete stripping of his record of service. a complete waste of tax dollars on this guy.

Thanks Lt. and do not mind me when I do salute you. But, it has always been the rank not the man we salute. Thank gawd, I believe in that.

Answer 9

what's your degree in?? it is not severe in any respect. i replaced into military. i might advise air stress or army, even nonetheless it relies upon on what you desire to do. protection stress provider has some surprising reimbursement thoughts, and it is not a foul way of existence. it truly is merely not for each individual. stable success i'm beneficial you may discover an surprising interest in the protection stress with those stages.

Answer 10

The armed forces is not the summer camp. If you have a problem with fighting, being killed, or the possibility of killing somebody, don't join. Once you have joined you are bound by the UCMJ to do what you are told, when you are told, and for how long you are told. It is not rocket science. Get a different type of job.