10) Leaving the Military

Conscientious Objections To War; Summary

Although there are fine examples of individuals with ethics of compassion in the U.S. Military, the core structure is still based upon martial obedience. I am an individual American patriot who holds the honor of freedom and civil rights above any one mortal. We did not appoint a King or Commander-In-Chief supported by representative parties to have them assume and abuse our Declaration of Independence and our Constitutional Amendments by a superior mandate. My point is that most Wars are started by individual leaders for excess profit for the corrupt few, and not for the people or by the people. Instead most people are misled into Wars by leaders using false patriotism, oaths of blind obedience, and false-flag political operations.

I am not opposed to self-defense, defense of others, resistance, or pacifists. These have nothing to do with the conventional use of War. War is often declared as a defensive response to an aggressive attack. The problem is that defense is declared by both sides, which tends to negate the claim. However, even when the claim of self-defense is justified, the declaration of War makes the crisis more than just self-defense. War becomes the opposite of defense when entire civilian populations are ravaged by militaries, while the civilian populations of the other countries celebrate.

I am a conscientious objector (CO) following my religious, spiritual, moral, & ethical dictates of my conscience. My education is incompatible with being a combatant in military service, or being part of the armed forces as a primary combatant organization. I object to any role within armed forces which results in my complete rejection of conscription or military service. COs willing to perform non-combatant military functions are classed 1-A-O; those unwilling to serve at all are 1-O. With this declaration I am 1-O seeking separation because I am unwilling to continue my service.

In the United States, there are 2 main criteria for classification as a CO. First, the objector must be opposed to War in any form [Gillette v. U.S., 401/437]. Second, the objection must be sincere [Witmer v. U.S., 348/375]. CO opposition may be based upon Religious training but is no longer a criterion after cases broadened it to include non-religious moral belief [U.S. v. Seeger, 380/163 & Welsh v. U.S., 398/333].

I have firm, fixed, and sincere objections to personally taking part in War, not merely to the idea of war. Not merely am I against War, but I have reached a point in my life where I conscientiously object to my own participation in any conventional war dictated by a Commander-In-Chief. My objections in no way are meant to offend the loyal and honorable service of my fellow soldiers. In respect of my home Base and coworkers, I do not wish to interfere with their jobs because of my conscientious objections.

These are my conscientious objections to the Military and War; for my 1-O resignation.