War is in the air
War is on our minds
We are currently pushing our military to the absolute edge, another major conflict and we will be in over our heads. It is my belief that if we are pushed into another conflict, a draft will become necessary.
About 5 years ago, I heard that there was an opening on my local draft board, so I applied. You may be surprised to learn there are draft boards in every community, if you want to know more of the back story look at my earlier diary here: http://www.dailykos.com/...
This weekend I had my annual continuation training, I wanted to share with you what goes into a Conscientious Objector deferment. Meet me downstairs and we can continue the conversation.
If a draft is instituted, every male between 18-25 becomes eligible for drafting. When you get an induction notice, you may apply for a deferment based on these classifications:
CLASSIFICATIONS
1-A - available immediately for military service.
1-O Conscientious Objector- conscientiously opposed to both types (combatant and non-combatant) of military training and service - fulfills his service obligation as a civilian alternative service worker.
1-A-O Conscientious Objector - conscientiously opposed to training and military service requiring the use of arms - fulfills his service obligation in a noncombatant position within the military.
2-D Ministerial Students - deferred from military service.
3-A Hardship Deferment - deferred from military service because service would cause hardship upon his family.
4-C Alien or Dual National - sometimes exempt from military service.
4-D Ministers of Religion - exempted from military service.
In this diary I will discuss 1-O and 1-A-O. If there is sufficient interest, I will take up the other classes in future works.
Before you apply for CO status, you must be sure what your beliefs are. Note that 1-O objects to ALL wars and all military service. If granted, you must serve 24 months in alternative service. As far as I know, there is nothing public abnout what that service might be. It will not be in the military, but it very well could be dangerous.
Contrary to pop culture references, this is not an "easy" way for cowards to save their skin. It is an outlet for those with a sincere opposition to war. We've come a long way from the cushy Vietnam avoidance cubbyholes. After Vietnam it was obvious that the process was unfair and needed to be fixed. IF things work as designed, it will be lightyears more advanced than the dark days of yesteryear.
If you are not opposed to war per se, but rather opposed to taking a life yourself, then you fall into the 1-A-O class. You will be assigned a non-combat position. Again, not necessarily out of harm's way. There was a story recently about a 1-A-O from WWII who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was a brave soldier, but one unwilling to take a life.
These are the hurdles to clear if you want to prove you belong in these classes, read this well and look into your heart.
1) Objection to war is not confined to a particular war. If you can honestly answer "I would have served in WWII, that was justified"... you are not eligible.
2) You must be sincere in your beliefs.
3) Your request must be based on moral, religious or ethical beliefs. Any combination is aceptable, you need not be a member of a "Peace" church. You may belong to a church that encourages military service, as long as YOUR beliefs are sincerely held.
Believing in the hypothetical "War Between Good and Evil" does not count as long as you are opposed to human wars waged in the real world.
A willingness to use self-defense is not a basis for denial.
You do not need to predict that you will always have these feelings, admiting that some time in the future you may change your mind does not preclude you from eligibility.
Timing may be considered, but is not of paramount importance. It may be that you never examined your beliefs closely until you got the draft notice. You may still be eligible.
Assuming you fit these criteria, what can you do to prepare for a possible draft?
Speak out about your beliefs to friends and family. If you appear before the board, they may submit statements of verification.
Think deeply about why you believe what you do. If you can demonstrate to the board that you have examined alternatives carefully, that will be a powerful argument.
I hope I never have to serve actively on my board, but if I do I intend to be fair and just.
COMMERCIAL MESSAGE:
If you live in WI, you may be able to serve on a board. There are vacancies in these counties:
Ashland
Marquette
Milwaukee
Brown
Manitowoc
Richland
If you are interested, please let me know and I will get you started on the process. If you know of organizations that might have interested members, please let them know. If you live in another state, check with your local SSS board for openings. It is a 20 year term, training is 4 hours per year. A small eternal vigilance is the price of freedom. If there is a draft, who do you want making these decisions? Someone who thinks like you do? Or somebody else?