I am a passifist...?

Question

So if America would ever institute a draft how would I avoid going to war? And is there any jobs in the army that don't require fighting?

I don't actually think that America is going to draft but I am saying IF sometime in my lifetime.

Answer 1

Little Fluff Ball, I'm going to tell you a story, especially since I believe you have been corrected enough on your spelling. My grandmother had the honor of serving in the WAVES during the Korean War to finish her RN training, but she was a female.
Also before I begin I agree with several others that you need to make sure that your objections are pure and true and not cowardship. I come from a long line of servicemen and find yellowbellies abhorant.
Now, for my story: During Nam my father-in-law thought he was bright and brilliant and signed up for the Navy before they drafted him. That was the smart move, but the stupid SOB thought that when he signed up as a medic/coreman that he was going to get to stay at sea and flirt with all the pretty nurses. No, that position sends you out into the field with SEALS and Marines. Needless to say he now has 3 purple hearts, shrapnel in his left leg, horrible hearing from the bombs going off, terrible vision from the agent orange, and a whole string of **** ears.
Oh yeah, he got to play with the nurses all right.
Try for a desk job, not reporting, you get sent out into it too, I know that is what I was going to go in for, journalism, before I got pregnant.
Do realize this though, it is your duty and right as an american to serve and protect not only your country, but your family, friends, and etc.
Before you say you are a pacifist, make sure you really are, okay. I love the little ball of fluff you are, but please, please, don't dishonor what my family has worked so hard to protect.

Answer 2

During the Vietnam draft, pacifists were given the options of taking jobs that would not involve them in any combat (at least some of the time). I would think the same options would be made now, but you would certainly be expected to be able to prove these beliefs in some way as I can see where people may use that statement as a way to avoid duty if the draft were to occur.

Answer 3

You should contact the Seventh Day Adventist Church or the Society of Friends (Quakers). The Seventh Day Adventists, if a draft is re-instituted, will be running a camp to make youth physically fit for military training so that (if drafted) they won't face discrimination from their fellow recruits because of their decision to serve in unarmed positions only.
There were a number of unarmed combat medics who were awarded high decorations for treating the wounded during combat. Included among them was Lew Ayres, who was an actor before World War Two and had won an Academy Award.

Answer 4

I'm almost afraid to ask what you mean by "passifist"...

But if you mean pacifist... Join the military and become a medic. Then your job will be to save lives... not to take them.

Or you could get a job in the Peace Corps.

I believe, in the event that the draft is reinstated, you'll have only have the option to become a medic... or maybe a Chaplain's assistant... but there aren't too many Chaplain's assistants. Maybe a DD from an accredited University would help.

But, if you're a "convenient" pacifist, you don't want to know what advice I have for you.

Answer 5

You join the Navy or the Air Force. The Navy if you don't mind being away on the water. The Air Force if you want to be a pilot or mechanic or something to do without having to deploy on the ground. The Army and Marines to deploy on the ground. But if you ever are called to duty, find out what you are getting into before signing up, ok?
Look for opportunities such as the fellow before me mentioned that certainly would be helpful and maintain your beliefs.
I would not be a conscientious objector, this is your country, your people, but, that is my opinion.

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Answer 6

It is a common misconception that all the army and marines do is fighting and killing. This is incorrect, for any branch of the military to work affectively they need jobs that the civilian life offers. For example you can go into accounting, communication, Air traffic control. But the whole point of a draft is to fill as many Cammy's as possible to show the apposing force that, we are indeed here for the duration and the war of attrition will be yours to loose.

Answer 7

I would like to ask you the grounds for your pacifism.

I've never met one and I have to wonder why you have made such a conclusion. This is not a mockery, I'm really wondering.

Part of the question is what would you do. If you're in a support position, you'd still be helping people kill other people, you just wouldn't be pulling the trigger yourself. Can you deal with that?

The draft is not as likely at the moment as some would think, so I don't think you really need to worry.

Yes, there are non-combat support jobs, but in the modern context there is no non-combat zone. Just look at how drivers of convoys were ambushed.

Answer 8

Go to college and join reserve ROTC as a nurse, I met a few nurses who went to college as a way to beat the draft, the war was so long they ended up going in but as a 1st Lieutenant instead of as a Private

Answer 9

Most jobs in the army actually have nothing to do with combat, and you could no doubt sign on as a conscientious objector and they'd put you somewhere off the front line. They did so in previous conflicts... but then again, future administrations might try to **** you over, who knows.

Answer 10

Are you afraid that a Democrat President and a Democratic controlled House and Senate will re-instate the draft? You should be. They have been the only ones who have actively tried in the last 20 years.