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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What if I'm opposed to cooperating with selective service?Some young people do not wish to cooperate with the Selective Service System, because it supplies youth to the armed forces to be trained for war. If you have questions about registering, be sure to discuss them with your parents and your pastor. It is important to take your conscience seriously and to be informed about your options. Failure to register with Selective Service is punishable by fines of up to $250,000 and up to five years in jail. However, no young men have been prosecuted or fined for failing to register since the early 1980's. Failure to register also makes one ineligible for federal student aid, job training, and employment. More than 25 states have enacted legislation restricting non-registrants' access to state education benefits or employment, and many states are now enacting legislation linking registration with the privilege of obtaining a driver's license. For more information on these developments, see: www.sss.gov/FSdrivers.htm Several Mennonite denominations have passed statements which support non-cooperation with Selective Service as a valid expression of conscience against war. The Mennonite Church USA has a fund which provides loans to assist non-registrants with higher education (Contact: Kathy Harshbarger, Telephone: 574-294-7523). A similar fund (FEAT: Fund for Education and Training) is held by The Center on Conscience and War (formerly NISBCO) in Washington D.C. (Telephone: (202) 483-2220). For stories of young men who decided not to register look for the book, The Path of Most Resistance, by Phil Baker Shenk, or check the following Web site: www.mennolink.org/books/ Top
2. What if I'm already in the military when I discover that I have a conscience against killing?Some youth discover that they are conscientious objectors to war only after they are already in the military. Experiences during basic training, military exercises, or actual combat awaken questions which they have not asked before. These youth often search for a path out of the military. Many people in the military have applied for and received a conscientious objector discharge. It is not unusual, however, for persons to experience some difficulties and delays in the process, especially during times of war. While some commanders and chaplains will support a person's conscientious objector claim, others view conscientious objectors as cowards or even traitors. Fortunately, there are experienced military counselors outside the military, who are available to provide help and guidance. If you are in the military, and want to submit a claim for conscientious objector status, we urge you to contact one of the following agencies: Center on Conscience and War G.I. Rights Hotline
3. What is the delayed enlistment program?Most young people enter the military through the Delayed Enlistment Program (sometimes called the Delayed Entry Program). This program allows youth to sign up with a military recruiter for one of the service branches, but receive a report date for basic training for up to a year later. When entering the Delayed Enlistment Program ( DEP), youth sign an enlistment agreement and take an oath of enlistment. It is very common for young people to change their minds after enlistment in the DEP. Job offers, a decision to go to college, marriage, failure to graduate from high school, and other reasons may lead a young person to re-evaluate their decision. It is important to realize that up until a young person actually reports for basic training, it is possible to be released from any military obligation. The official way to gain release, is to write a letter to the commanding officer of the recruiting station, explaining one's decision not to report to basic training. The young person may or may not receive an official response before the date to report for basic training. Military recruiters are instructed to be understanding of these changes in plans. Nonetheless, in some cases military recruiters may use intimidation or threats to persuade the young person not to withdraw their commitment to serve. However, not reporting for basic training will result in release from any further obligation. Top
4. Are you a conscientious objector to war?Conscientious objection to war may or may not be a term that you are familiar with. Simply stated, it means that you have a deep conviction against killing in war or against participation in military operations. According to Selective Service,
You do not have to be a religious person or belong to a religious group in order to be a conscientious objector to war. It does not mean that you believe it is wrong to defend yourself if personally attacked. It does not mean that you are a coward or unpatriotic. Rather, conscientious objection is a central conviction against killing in warfare that you simply cannot violate. If this describes you, you may indeed be a conscientious objector to war. In times of military conscription, conscientious objectors serve in non-combatant roles, or do alternative service under civilian direction. Soldiers who become conscientious objectors after entering the military may apply for a conscientious objector discharge. While this process is often lengthy, successful applicants receive an honorable discharge. As you read through the materials below, you will learn more about the meaning of conscientious objection.
What Do I Believe About War? Questions for the Conscientious Objector Top
5. What are the restrictions and obligations of military life?The Military Oath - The following oath is taken by all personnel inducted into the armed forces of the United States, as found in the US Code, Section 502.
Do You Know Enough To Enlist? American Friends Service Committee(AFSC) Statement by Sam Nunn, Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Jan. 27, 1993 Top
6. What is war like?Top
7. What does my faith have to do with a decision about entering military service?Top
8. What did early Christians say about war and military service?"We refrain from making war on our enemies, but gladly go to death for Christ's sake. Christians are warriors of a different world, peaceful fighters, but in fidelity to their cause and in readiness to die they excel all others." Justin Martyr, (Apology I ii, 39) "We who were filled with war and mutual slaughter and every wickedness have each of us in all the world changed or weapons of war... swords into plows and spears into agricultural implements." Justin Martyr, (Trypho CX) "In peace, not in war, we are trained.... Various peoples incite the passions of war by martial music; Christians employ only the Word of God, the instrument of peace." Clement of Alexandria, (Paedagogus I, 12, II, 4) "We must first inquire whether military service is proper at all for Christians.... The soldier who becomes Christian ought to leave the army.... One soul cannot be due to two Lords--God and Caesar." Tertullian of Carthage, (quoted in Reconciliation Quarterly, Winter, 1999) "When God prohibits killing, he not only forbids us to commit brigandage, which is not allowed even by the public laws, but He warns us not to do even those things which are legal among men. And so it will not be lawful for a just man to serve as a soldier." Lactantius of Bithynia, (quoted in Reconciliation Quarterly, Winter, 1999) "I am a soldier of Christ; I cannot fight." Martin of Tours, (Martin of Tours served in the military as a Christian in 339 AD. When faced with the first prospect of battle, however, Martin realized that this was not consistent with his faith in Christ. He refused to fight and stood on the battlefield, armed only with a cross. Martin was granted a discharge from military service.)(quoted in Reconciliation Quarterly, Winter, 1999) Top
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