If your conscience troubles you...
you may have options
Published by girights
In recent years, we have gotten calls on the GI Rights Hotline from service members concerned about having to police the US-Mexican border and/or police demostrations in the US. Others feel disturbed by US support for specific overseas operations, like Israel’s actions in Gaza and the West Bank. Many call us with a troubled conscience, and some ask about applying for a conscientious objection (CO) discharge. Military regulations spell out very specific criteria for military members to qualify as a conscientious objector. Keep reading to see if a CO discharge may be appropriate for you. Even if you don’t meet the definition of a conscientious objector, you may still qualify for a different discharge. You can call us on the hotline to discuss your options: 877-447-4487.
To meet the military definition of a conscientious objector you must convince the appropriate authorities of the following:
1) You are opposed to personally participating in any war you might be asked to fight.
2) Your beliefs have to be religious, moral, or ethical in nature and have changed since you joined the military or signed your most recent contract.
3) Your beliefs are sincere and deeply held.
Note that you do not have to be a pacifist to qualify as a conscientious objector. It’s okay to believe that if someone invaded your home and threatened you and your family, you would defend yourself. However, you do need to be able to explain how you believe that scenario is different from being part of a military force.
These requirements for a conscientious objection discharge may or may not apply to military members struggling with their conscience about policing US citizens or the US border or US support for Israel’s actions in Gaza. Some members may be opposed to these scenarios, but not opposed to defending the US if the US were attacked by a foreign military. These members would not likely qualify for a CO discharge, but they may want to explore other options to discharge. They can also seek information from the GI Rights Hotline about their options when faced with orders they feel are unjust or unethical and the risks involved when exercising those options.
Other service members find that the discomfort they feel when given certain orders causes them to reflect on their role in the military. They may be inspired to spend time discerning what they do and don’t believe about using military force to achieve military and diplomatic objectives. They consider those objectives and may question their own role in helping reach them. Some of these members may find that they are in fact opposed to participating in any war they may be asked to fight, including if the US were invaded by a foreign military. These members may qualify for a CO discharge.
The military concientious objection process is long and involved. Applicants usually benefit from the assistance of a GI Rights counselor. Whether or not you think you might qualify or want to apply, you can call a GI Rights counselor and discuss your options. Regarless of whether you think you are a conscientious objector, it is perfectly normal to question what you are being asked to do as a military member. Sometimes it may feel like you are the only one having doubts, but we receive calls on the GI Rights Hotline every day from members contemplating their role in the US military.
Calls to our hotline are free and confidential and can be made anonymously. GI Rights counselors will not tell you what you should do. We are here to give you as much information as possible so that you can make the best choice for yourself about your next steps forward. You can also email us through the contact page of this web site.