What qualifies, and how is it used? If I were drafted (highly unlikley due to a childhood disease that gave me stiff knees), would I be forced to go even though my conscience objects?

 

...Dont know for sure, but my understanding is that you go when called but tell them up front that you will refuse to fight or that you value human life above all else etc ...They will probably stick you in a non-combat unit...admin, medical, supply etc...or even not enlist you (unlikely). The key is to inform them at the begining and every chance you get along the way...you wont be popular but you might minimize the risk of having to fight.
...If you dont answer the draft notice, then you become a draft dodger...
Summary:
Concientious Objector- Answers the call, but refuses to fight
Darft Dodger - runs and hides

 

So I guess if you accept the call, go through it all and then make off with as many high-caliber toys as you can,, then what? Terrorist? AWOL? Or just a plain ole thief? Always wanted to pack a C-130 to the gills and head for the mountains, lmao. Ahhh,, pipe dreams, aren't they just wonderful sometimes? I mean who really can live without a claymore strung perimeter???


And,,, YES,, this is all in jest, so don't go writing your congressman or the FBI about a militiaman in Southern NJ.

 

I am about to start school, and I am the only son and the only grandson on both sides of the family, so I doubt that I would even get the call to begin with, but I really dont want any to have anything to do with the military- not because "i am a coward and do not want to defend my country", but I see the military doing things I dont want done in my name.

 

Delight,

I'm not meaning to start anything. But what do you believe the military is doing that you don't want done in your name?

 

I emailed you.

 

I believe everybody should spend at least 2 years in the military.
Right out of high school.
A lot of other countries do this, to be prepared for war. Trained people in standby is good to have.
When your called to fight, go. Its your duty as an American citizen.
No matter what you believe, religous or political.
zanny

 

I know exactly how you feel. The Federal Government has done a BUNCH of stuff I don't want to be associated with.

But I couldn't even get away with not supporting them financially - I still have to pay every cent of my taxes.

So . . if they let you off, you let me know; it's called president.
In the mean time, I have to tell myself that the people making these decisions are privy to information I do not have.

I don't like it - not a bit. But I know from my own experience that what appears to be a grossly stupid decision may not be one - if you have the additional information that is not commonly known.

FWIW & IMHO

 

If you take the circle off the peace symbol it becomes the apparent it's the footprint of the American chicken.

 

Huh? Hopefully, on reflection, you can come up with a better one than that. Geez, MuchTo, my company does things I don't particularly want to be associated with, but they do a lot of GOOD things too, like put a paycheck in my bank for me every Friday, so I take the good with the bad.

The military is essential to preserving how we live in this country, including probably, your ability "to start school" whenever you're ready. At the heart of it, the military is just a tool. It's there to kill people and break things, hopefully in the process of protecting us from harm as a nation, but also, realistically, to advance our agenda in the world. Our military is, thankfully, under the command of civilians, people we elect. You might have a problem with how the military is being used at some point (I do), but you and like-minded people can change that, if there are enough of you.

I believe that National Service should be mandatory, for male and female alike, from age 18 to 20. Two years is good, maybe 18 months would do it. Though I enlisted, I served with far more draftees than Regular Army guys. My stint in the Army was good for me in more ways than I can count, and I will be eternally grateful for the chance I had to serve. But for those who object to ARMED service, all of the branches provide for people with real conscientious objections to armed service. And I respect those people, though I don't pretend to understand them.

Please reconsider, although Idon't think you need to lose any sleep over being drafted.

 

On a related note...

The draft would ruin the miltary these days. The kinder, gentler style of leadership that has emerged in the past decade could not handle the draftees.

Lately the quality of some (like 20%) of the new soldiers I have seen is a shame, and they're volunteers. They want to be in the military. Wall-to-wall counsleing days are over. Now you have almost have to treat JAG to dinner to get someone out.

I know 2 people who applied for conscience objector status. Right now they're in Iraq.

 

Ive got to go for now, but upon my return, I will address all of you. that was pretty funny, dennis.

 

Did you relaize that if you just take the circle out between the lower legs it becomes PacMan looking down with his tung stuck out?

I have even heard it was originally drawn by some guy high on dope at the time.


Creative Sucker - wasn't he?

 

Sugarcoat this however you want--forcing someone to serve (and maybe die) is SLAVERY, period, end of story. It is not just wrong, it is EVIL.

 

a choice that would be made by living in the country, surely is not slavery