Common Questions & My Answers

CO Dialogue

“How and when did you decide against the military service?”

I have had time to meditate on my current life, and I now make this decision after years of service, thought, and months of specific contemplation regarding CO status.

“Are you against the Military or our Country?”

I am not against either. I object to my involvement in the military on the moral grounds I present. Since my conclusion is that I object to War as defined by CO terms, I must leave the military since we are at War with Iraq & ‘Terror’, and our missions involve War.

“Would you rather experience losses than use violence or force?”

That is not the issue. My conscientious objections are regarding War not true self-defense, which I distinguish as having a separate definition. Defense is not War.

“Would you describe yourself as a pacifist?”

That is not applicable. One needs not be a strict pacifist to be Pro-Peace, and against War.

“Why haven’t you come to this conclusion sooner or disobeyed orders?”

We should not be forced to go to prison, lie, or harm ourselves and others if we seek to do the right thing; which is to not harm ourselves or others. My life was not in the proper order to arrive at this conclusion sooner. I now realize it is within my legal rights.

“What do you actually do to further peace?”

I strive to do no harm to others, further education, volunteer social work, community work, and design work through art, architecture, and landscape.

“Would a good person kill others because they were told to do so?”

A person striving to live by lessons taught by good spiritual leaders would not take an oath that would bind them to doing ill will. Having taken such an oath myself, I am now in a position of awareness to object to my own decision and continued service.

“Do you regret your Service to this Country?”

I do not regret my service to the United States of America.

I feel that it is my responsible right and duty to resign now. My friends and family support my decision; as it will allow me to better serve my local community and pursue civilian jobs that better fit me and further my goals towards Peace. Thank you.

By SRA Walton Danforth Stowell II, Master of Architecture (M.A.)