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Information for those currently in the military who would like information about becoming a Conscientious Objector...
Background
Three organizations that can help
What is a Conscientious Objector?
A conscientious objector is one who is opposed to serving in the armed forces and/or bearing arms on the grounds of moral or religious principles.
The Military Selective Service Act and government regulations recognize two types of conscientious objectors:
1. Conscientious Objectors: These are persons who, by reason of religious, ethical, or moral belief, are "conscientiously opposed to participation in war in any form." These people may be discharged from military service. They are exempt from military service, in the event of a draft. If called up, they may perform alternative service as civilians.
2. Noncombatant Conscientious Objectors: These are persons who, by reason of religious, ethical or moral belief, are conscientiously opposed to killing in war in any form but who do not object to performing noncombatant duties (such as being a medic) in the armed forces. These people are reassigned to non-combatant duties in the Armed Forces or, in the event of a draft, are trained without weapons and assigned to non-combatant service.
Some 200 military personnel seek separation from the military each year as conscientious objectors. Some are able to satisfactorily resolve their cases without consulting a military counselor, though many turn to organizations such as Center for Conscience & War (CCW), Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors (CCCO), American Friends Service Committee, and other counseling sources around the country.
What should you do if you are currently serving in the armed forces and want to learn more about applying for CO status?
We commend you for your courage in considering this option. You will undoubtedly run into many challenges as you navigate the CO application process, and you may have to deal with the reactions of your fellow soldiers and commanding officers.
We suggest that you read this article about Aidan Delgado, a young Buddhist and Army Reservist who applied for CO status while he was based in Iraq during the most recent war. (BPF’s quarterly journal, Turning Wheel, will feature an interview with Aidan in an upcoming issue.) For another perspective from a Buddhist serving in the military, take a look at this article from the Winter 2002 issue of Turning Wheel.
Fortunately, there are some excellent organizations that have a long history of supporting CO’s, and the Buddhist Peace Fellowship is in the beginning stage of developing resources in this area.
1. The Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors (CCCO)
www.objector.org
405 14th Street #205
Oakland, CA 94612
girights@objector.org
If you are in immediate need of help and advice, one of your best resources is the GI Rights Hotline: 1-800-394-9544, run by CCCO and other organizations.
Call this number if you are in the Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines, and would like to speak with someone trained to help you with information on military discharges, including CO, Entry Level Separation, Medical, Psychological, and other kinds of leaves. The GI Rights Hotline can also help if:
- you are experiencing hazing, harassment or discrimination, or if you have been a victim of sexual assault.
Click here for a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to the CO application process if you are currently serving in the Armed Forces. This guide answers many questions you may have about the kinds of documentation you'll need to prepare for your application, and talks about how to start thinking about questions you will be asked to write on during the application process, such as
- "Describe the nature of the belief which requires you to seek separation from the military or assignment to noncombatant training and duty for reasons of conscience."
- "Explain how your beliefs changed or developed and explain what factors caused the change in, or development of, your CO beliefs."
CCCO has a number of other excellent programs, including:
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Third World Outreach Program, which seeks to address the historical relationships between Third World people and militarism; establish community-wide dialogues on issues of military recruiting, militarism of public schools, and our rich tradition of resistance to militarism; and to work in coalition with other national and local groups and organizers, and to organize, inform and aid our communities in fighting the “economic conscription” of young people.
2. Center for Conscience & War
www.nisbco.org
1830 Connecticut Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20009
(202) 483-2220
1-800-379-2679
nibsco@nibsco.org
The Center on Conscience & War (CCW), formerly the National Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors (NISBCO), was formed in 1940 by an association of religious bodies. CCW works to defend and extend the rights of conscientious objectors. The Center is committed to supporting all those who question participation in war, whether they are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, documented or undocumented immigrants--or citizens in other countries.
CCW provides counseling assistance for current U.S. military service members as well as for non-registrants, youth facing draft registration, and their parents. CCW maintains its own toll-free number, 1-800-379-2679, and participates in the national military counselor's network and the GI Rights Hotline (1-800-394-9544).
3. How BPF can help
If you are a practicing Buddhist currently enlisted in the military and are applying for CO status, please contact us and tell us more about your situation. If appropriate, we will write a letter from BPF on your behalf, detailing a Buddhist perspective on nonviolence. We can also start a file here in the BPF central office if you wish to begin to build a paper trail documenting your participation in Buddhist communities and teachings.
In the future, we hope to develop more resources for you – please keep visiting this website.
For more information, please email Alan Senauke, BPF staff member, at alans@kushiki.org.
Back to The Dharma and the Military homepage.
Back to Buddhist Peace Fellowship homepage.
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