Mennonite Central Committee

Anita Cole

In late November, 2001, Anita Cole received her discharge from the U.S. Army as a conscientious objector (CO) to war. The following profile is made up of excerpts from her application for a CO discharge.

Dennis Lipton

Dennis Lipton has learned the hard way about the military's ability to hold on to its personnel with an iron grip. Lipton joined the U.S. Air Force in 1993 for the educational benefits as he was studying to become a doctor.

Ertell Whigham

In 1968, at the age of 17, Ertell Whigham enlisted in the military. He was a senior in high school and had a young son. With few good options available to him, he decided to enlist in the military in order to have a steady income and a benefit package.

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Gabriel Wolff

A choice between going to prison or serving in the military could be a hard one to make. Many conscientious objectors have had to make that choice throughout history risking life, health, reputation and family relations.