Who is a Military Conscientious Objector?

Current military policy has defined conscientious objection as the following: “A firm, fixed, and sincere objection to participation in war in any form or the bearing of arms, by reason of religious training and/or belief.” (DOD 1300.6)  This definition has been further clarified by both military policy and our legal system. The following words or phrases found in the above definition are further elucidated:

  • “Religious”
    • The term “religious” also includes moral and ethical beliefs which have the same force in a person’s life as traditional religious beliefs.
    • The term “religious” does not include essentially political, sociological, or philosophical views.
  •  “Training and/or belief”
    • “Training and/or belief” refers to the source of conviction or, more simply, the experiences and values you hold which do not allow you to participate in military service or the bearing of arms.  This may come from a lifetime of involvement in an organized religion that teaches active love for the enemy for example (i.e. not killing) or from books, movies, or TV shows. It could also arise from experiences serving in the military or from other life experiences.
  • “Participation”
    • This term highlights the personal nature of the claim.  Thus a CO claim cannot be an abstract critique of war. It indicates that your set of personal values is the reason you are requesting discharge or reassignment, not whether you think war is illogical or bad, for example.
  • “In War”
    • The term “In War” means that a CO does not have to object to the use of violence by a police force or for self-defense, although many COs do hold nonviolent convictions. Additionally, it is important to note the difference between force and violence. Punching someone is an example of violent force, while pulling a child away from a moving car is an example of nonviolent force.
  • “In Any Form”
    • This term precludes those who are opposed to a particular war (who would be called "selective conscientious objectors").  If one believes in “Just War Theory”, held by many religious traditions, then typically it is difficult to near impossible to be a conscientious objector under the current legal definition.

 

If you believe you might fall within the definition above, study the regulations linked below. Take notes on them and highlight key parts. The Center on Conscience & War has supported conscientious objectors for over 60 years and has experienced staff that can support you through the conscientious objection claim process.

Bill Galvin has extensive counseling experience beginning in the early 1970s during the Vietnam era. He is the author of the most recent version of the Draft Counselor's Manual, and is in the process of authoring a guide to Military Conscientious Objection.

J.E. McNeil is the executive director of the Center on Conscience & War and has been a practicing attorney for the past 25 years. She has been counseling servicemembers since 1999.

Andrew Gorby is CCW's Legislative Affairs Associate and was discharged from the Army in May 2007 as a conscientious objector.

Contact CCW if you want to seek discharge or reassignment as a CO. If you face deployment soon, do not wait! Call CCW at:

1-800-379-2679

DOD Instruction on Conscientious Objection

Army Regulation on Conscientious Objection

Marine Corps Order on Conscientious Objection

Navy Manual on Conscientious Objection

Air Force Instruction on Conscientious Objection

Coast Guard Instruction on Conscientious Objection

Center on Conscience & War | 1830 Connecticut Ave. NW | Washington, DC 20009 | Phone: 202-483-2220
E-mail with questions or comments at: webmaster@CenteronConscience.org
© 2007-2008 Center on Conscience & War