The Guide for COs in the Military
Few people wrestle with their conscience as much as members of the military - especially those in combat.
If you are one of those people, this booklet is for you. (This booklet is for those already in the military. If you are a conscientious objector facing draft registration, contact the Center on Conscience & War (CCW) at 800-379-2679 or visit our website for our booklet Conscientious Objectors and the Draft.)
Know that you are not alone. Every year hundreds of military personnel apply for conscientious objector (CO) status . Conscientious objectors have been with us as long as there have been wars.
Counselors at CCW and at other offices of the GI Rights Hotline talk with military personnel every day who are questioning the morality of the orders they receive or jobs they are expected to perform.
This booklet will help you understand the military's policy about conscientious objection so you can figure out if it applies to you. It will also explain the application process for COs in the military. If you are a CO, we hope it will empower you to act on your beliefs.
President John F. Kennedy, a World War II hero, said:
"Wars will exist until that distant day when the conscientious objector enjoys the same reputation and prestige as the soldier does today."
Current military policy is based on draft law that defines a conscientious objector as someone who, "by reason of religious training and belief, is conscientiously op-posed to participation in war in any form."
The Department of Defense (DoD) defines conscientious objection as "a firm, fixed and sincere objection to participation in war in any form or the bearing of arms, by reason of religious training and belief."
The Supreme Court has ruled that ethical and moral beliefs qualify as well.
To qualify for discharge from the military you must show that you do, in fact, conscientiously object to participating in war, and that your beliefs have changed, or “crystallized” since you joined the military.
It’s not easy to figure out whether you are a conscientious objector. And it’s not easy to write up your statement of what you believe. You may question yourself about your motives, your responsibility to others in your unit, and to the government. You might wonder how this will affect your relationships with friends and family members. You might think you don’t know enough about the Bible, Koran, Talmud, or other sacred text to be able to explain your beliefs adequately to others. And others may not understand. They may criticize you, telling you you’re wrong or that you don’t understand the teachings of your religion.
Know that there have been conscientious objectors from virtually every religious tradition. And remember that no one knows what you believe better than you: You are the world’s expert on what you believe.
When you approach your command, you may find that they know nothing about conscientious objection and military policy. They may try to discourage you, saying “you’ll never get out that way”. They might suggest that, if that’s what you really think, there is something wrong with you. They may even suggest that nobody really believes what you believe – that it’s just something people make up to avoid their responsibilities.
But you are part of a long tradition, joining many thousands of courageous conscientious objectors who have risked much to protect the rights we cherish. The staff at The Center on Conscience & War is here to help you.
Counselors with the GI Rights Hotline can also help.
Remember that it’s okay for you to get help from the Center or another counselor.
If you are questioned about whether you have sought outside help, or whether you have consulted this booklet, it’s best to be honest and tell them you have.
www.centeronconscience.org
GAO report 07-1196, Sept.2007, p.8
Letter to a Friend in the Navy available at www.jfklibrary.org
U.S. v. Seeger, 380 U.S. 163 (1965); Welsh v. U.S., 398 U.S. 33 (1970).
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