2007-01-25 03:29:04 · 12 answers · asked by heaven-sin-t 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Yes, it can be done. After I left one ship, one of the ladies saw the movie GANDHI and went back to the ship and filed for CO status. She refused to wear the uniform, was thrown into the brig, took off her uniform and wrapped herself in a sheet. I don't know the final outcome.
On my last ship, one of the guys in my duty section was a CO. I went down after muster to roll him out. He sarcastically said, YOU'RE NEW AND DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. He handed me a copy of a letter. I read it, tore it up and told him to get outta bed and get to work. We had a heated discussion until asked him why he's got dungarees on, why he eats on board and why he accepts a pay check. He said as long as he wasn't AU they couldn't do anything to him. He was in the process of being discharged. HOWEVER, the last 2 weeks on board he did work...for me. When he was checking out, he stopped by to say goodbye and to tell me he wished he had known me before he started the CO mess. He was a very intelligent young man, knew his rating and was a hard worker. I heard from him about a year later, he had gotten a job and had a gf and was planning on getting married. I wish I knew what happened to him. This was back in 1985.
2007-01-25 08:58:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it is entirely possible that you can claim conciencious objector (CO) status after having joined the military. There are several issues with this, however:
1) You must show that you are a CO to ALL wars, not just the current one and that you are opposed to ALL violent actions. Chances are you'll still deploy, but in a non-combat related role. If it is shown that your opposition to joining the conflict is not truly universal (as in, you just don't want to go to fight) then you could do time in the brig for failure to report for ordered mobilization, or you could lose rank.
2) You must show that you were NOT a C.O. when you applied to join the military. If it is discovered you were a C.O. and joined anyway, you could get time in the brig or be required to pay back all military benefits received.
3) You must truly be a C.O.... if you claim it and there is evidence you are NOT a C.O. you are going to be in BIG trouble.
The first thing you should do is talk to your commander, branch supervisor, or first shirt to get this resolved.
2007-01-25 12:26:08 · answer #2 · answered by promethius9594 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Certainly. The military's regulations define a conscientious objector as someone who was NOT a conscientious objector when they enlisted, but who has had a crystallization of conscience since then which makes them, based on religious, moral, or ethical belief, opposed to participating in all wars.
A person claiming conscientious objector status has to answer, in writing, a series of questions about their beliefs, and then be interviewed by a chaplain, a psychologist, and an investigating officer, who then make recommendations to the chain of command regarding the applicant's sincerity.
This process can be quite difficult, and it improves an applicant's chances if they get support from a counselor who is familiar with the regulations, the process, and the pitfalls. Free assistance is available for people who are considering concientious objection status, or need information about discharges or discrimination in the military, from the GI Rights Hotline at 800-394-9544. I'm a volunteer with the GI Rights Hotline.
The relevant conscientious objector regulations for the different branches of the military are linked to from the girights page at http://www.objector.org/helpingout/discharge-regulations.html#anchor241919.
2007-01-25 12:41:21 · answer #3 · answered by samldiener 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes.
However, you can't just wake up one morning and claim it. There is a process you must follow. By the time you're done, you've already been deployed and returned home. Then, the military will boot you out.
2007-01-25 11:36:50 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 8⤊ 0⤋
American military? it's all volunteer--why would you join if you don't want to? If you object, don't join, you'd just be in the way
2007-01-25 12:37:49 · answer #5 · answered by wanda3s48 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes you can, we had one do so during the first gulf war and he refused to carry a weapon, we were under attack one night and he decided he wanted his weapon back. He had a change of heart, bless his soul.
2007-01-25 12:22:11 · answer #6 · answered by 400lbtwins 4 · 8⤊ 0⤋
N O!!!! To claim CO Status after enlisting into
the US Armed Forces is fraud against the US Government!!!!!!
2007-01-25 11:47:31 · answer #7 · answered by Vagabond5879 7 · 1⤊ 4⤋
That is what most cowards do to get out of their obligation to their country.
2007-01-25 14:39:58 · answer #8 · answered by RANDLE W 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No you signed a contract stating that you weren't before you joined.
2007-01-25 11:32:43 · answer #9 · answered by Comnec1 2 · 1⤊ 4⤋
yes you can. Good luck having it approved, chances are pretty slim.
2007-01-25 13:56:49 · answer #10 · answered by The Tin Man 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋