Mennonite Central Committee

Profiles of Contemporary Conscientious Objectors

 

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. As he treated patients who were victims of violence he began to reflect on how the purpose of the military contrasted sharply with his purpose as a doctor. The military aims to destroy the enemy while doctors are bound (by the Hippocratic Oath) to "abstain from all wrong-doing and harm." He also connected his developing pacifist views with his Christian faith. This all culminated in his application for a discharge from the military as a conscientious objector. He also offered to pay back the cost of his education to the military.

His application was denied, and he was ordered to report for military training which he refused to take part in. He then submitted a letter of resignation and a check for his $63,000 education hoping to avoid a court martial trial. However, his letter was not approved and his check was sent back. A court martial trial was scheduled. This court could have sentenced him to over ten years in military prison as a convicted felon. The trial, on November 16, 1999, thankfully resulted in a much lesser sentence. Dennis' sentence included five days in prison, a $30,000 fine and dismissal from the Air Force.

A letter from Retired Chief Master Sgt. Michael Marotta who served in the military for forty plus years wrote this about Dennis:

"Lt. Lipton is a doctor and a person who genuinely believes he has a responsibility to be of service to all human beings. He can't support an organization whose very purpose in being allows the possibility of harming others...For him, it's a matter of conscience. During my time in combat and as a first sergeant, I worked with a lot of people who claimed CO status. None of them ever persuaded me they were anything, but cowards or very lazy people given to excuses...Lt. Lipton is the exception, the first one and only exception I have met in my 40 years of work with the military."

For more information, visit the following Web sites:
www.ipass.net/~shalomcob/lipton.html

E-mail your questions and comments to Dennis Lipton