SO CALLED CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS

Two U.S. Army medics in Iraq have applied for conscientious objector status and want to be honorably discharged from the military because the idea of killing is "revolting" to them, their company commander said Tuesday.

The two soldiers, both privates first class, notified the Army of their request on Feb. 9, the day before their Germany-based 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment deployed to Iraq, Capt. Todd Grissom said...

News of the two soldiers' requests follow another application for conscientious objector status by Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia of Miami Beach, Fla. He surrendered Monday at an air force base in Massachusetts five months after failing to return to duty while on home leave after serving in Iraq.

These stories are a week or so old, but I didn't want to weigh in until I had my facts straight.

So I sought the advice of CPT Patti's brother, Staff Sergeant Dan. SSG Dan has just ended three years recruiting duty and has recently returned to his beloved Infantry lifestyle.

Every recruit certifies that he is not a conscientious objector by his initials and signature on the Defense Department form that essentially serves as his/her application to join the Service. Dan says sometimes the young man or woman won't know what the term conscientious objector means and the recruiter is required to explain it.

So how do these cases of Sudden Onset Conscientious Objection sit with other Soldiers? SSG Dan, characteristically concise, puts it this way: "There is no reason (for it) other than they are gutless and are taking up someones spot in the chow hall."

I'd say that probably sums it up for an overwhelming majority of Soldiers.

This editorial at the Miami Herald does a pretty good job of summarizing the issue of conscientious objectors in an all-volunteer force.

Me...well, I'll just point to my brother-in-law and say - "Yeah...what he said."