What do you think about military deserters?

Question

I am against war, and I feel some sympathy for people who get involved in it and can't handle it for whatever reason. It's proven that most soldiers suffer some psychological damage from war. I sort of believe though that if you sign up for the military, this is what you can expect to happen. I just read that penalties for U.S. deserters are small - they often return voluntarily and are discharged less than honorably. Do you think they should face criminal charges? I guess I feel that desertion is better than going loco and committing unspeakable crimes against innocent civilians. I would think that how patriotically charged this country is, that they would jail these people. I kind of think they're heroes - they're standing up against war in a way.

Answer 1

i think that you americans should make the laws more lax around this issue...most of your deserters from vietnam to now end up here in canada and they are starting to affect our high intellegence levels by shallowing our gene pool.

Answer 2

The old army used to hang deserters. But that is just not our country any more. Dishonorable discharge is enough in my opinion. Another solution is send deserters to the infantry or combat engineers. Let them earn their honor back.
Few if any deserters are anti-war. Since the 1960's it has been a convenient excuse for bad soldiers.

Answer 3

like you said, they signed at the x and know what they are getting into. Now the perosn that whines and crys about having to deploy annoys me... but the ones that truely can't handle it should be let go. Assuming they go there first... Now deserters who just never go and leave... well they deserve everything to be thrown at them if you ask me. They don't just let down them selves but hurt entire units deploying... They should spend time in jail atleast the time they would have been over seas plus a little more... and they should get a dishonorable discharge which will ruin their lives, from further careers.

Answer 4

You obviously dont know the military real well. Let me tell you something, anyone who willingly signs up in the military also agree's to fight if necessary in a war. So if they are chicken sh*t enough to desert, then they should be punished to the fullest extent. Not only are they a disgrace to themselves, but to their fellow soldiers who are going to war, but to America as well.

My husband is over there right now, and was over there from 2003-2004. He didnt, as you say "Go loco and kill innocent people" And he hasnt yet. Get your facts straight before you post things like this.

"Standing up against war" ??? WHAT? No, what their doing is saying, I didnt sign up for this I only wanted the college money. Yeah well... then I dont want you fighting in the same country as my husband and you deserve nothing less than criminal charges.

Answer 5

What kind of crap are you attempting to filter in with your question? Unspeakable crimes against innocent civilians, get you head out of your backside, please!!!! You sign a contract to buy a car its a binding agreement same as when you enter the volunteer military. What are you suggesting that maybe you stop making payments on your car because it could cause unspeakable crimes against civilians that you may or may not run over? Gees,

Answer 6

i think sorry for the guy. he will ought to stay with himself and the stigma of being a coward and a deserter. i dont think of he ought to stand a firing squad, this is insane at present. he did not wilderness from international conflict 2, he abandoned from a conflict over the secure practices of needed components. countless the advantages would be reaped via oil agencies, this is straight forward. i'm a soldier. yet i joined the army for a profession. i understand cheney would be long gone yet united statesa. will nonetheless be there.

Answer 7

You know, this one is a little tough for me to answer. I suppose it is because there is NO DRAFT! All that went into this knew what they were doing! Yes, I can imagine that war would disturb most, even the hardest of hearts! However, are you saying that if the going gets tough, they should be able to just up and go? That is not how you handle anythign in life! You stand and you fight for what you know is right! No matter if it is war or, a hard time in life!

My opinion, do not sign up to go to war unless you UNDERSTAND what you may face! Many of these young men knew exactly what they were facing and went to keep us safe! To them, I say, you are all HEROS! For those who want to run, I would say, do it without bringing harm to your buddies! They do not want that shame!

Answer 8

Actually you can still be shot for desertion in time of war - they just don't do it.

Personally I think anyone who deserts should be criminally prosecuted and dishonorably discharged - after jail time.

They are not hero's they are cowards.

Answer 9

Deserters are worthless. Deserting shows you are not a trustworthy human being, signing up without being ready shows you're willing to put your buddies lives on the line because you want to seem tough, or whatever reason you go into the military for. What does the world want with a person who would do that? jailed? No, they should have to live with that shame. And they do.

Answer 10

Its great to have deserters, They mostly go from the USA to Canada, thereby raising the average IQ of both Countries!

Answer 11

In a voluntary Military desertion should be punished by serving HARD LABOR! There are to many ways to sever your contract, by not using legal means to do so shows deception on the deserters part. All of them should be rounded up and sent to prison with a felonies record.

Vet-USAF 44MMS