Reply #35: If anyone is interested regarding [View All]

[tomg]

conscientious objection and the military, check out the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors
at http://www.objector.org

Incidentally, becoming a co is a long, complex process. I know first hand. There are far more co applications from those in the military than we hear about. A couple of quick points. Captain Brown had already served a year in Irag. I was co in 1970 ( had deferment gave it up to go co), and a friend of mine who was short-time in Vietnam became co while over there because the experience there utterly altered him. He simply would not be part of it anymore. It caused him to stay there longer while his case was adjudicated. Captain Brown had already served in Irag. For some reason, I have a feeling the experience over there probably brought those beliefs to the surface.

There are also two kinds of co. One is Co-10 and the other is Co-1AO. One means that you will perform alternate service but will not serve in the military. The other means that you will serve as a non-combatant ( medic, etc).

Conscientious objectors - both 10 and 1A0 - have a long tradition. Absolutists in WWI were imprisoned and subject to pretty bad conditions ( a number died from treatment). A number of 1A0s have been awarded medals for valour, at least one winner of the Medal of Honor.

In the US, in order to be granted co status, you cannot oppose a particular war ( eg - Iraq is illegal or immoral, but another war might be justifiable).

on edit: I might have 10 and 1AO reversed. It's been quite awhile.