What is conscientious objection?
Conscientious objectors are people who refuse to participate in the military and war. Some are civilians who do things like oppose war taxes and
work to reduce the role of the military in society. Others become
conscientious objectors only after they have experienced being in the
military firsthand, either during peacetime or wartime.
http://www.afsc.org/youthmil/conscientious-objection/default.htm
Definition of CO as Someone Opposed to Fighting in War
- By
the US military's definition, COs are service members or draftees who
have come to believe because of religious or moral reasons that they
cannot participate in any war. More >
I'm a man turning 18 and I don't believe in war. Can I register as a conscientious objector?
- In
reality, there are only two choices: either you register or you don’t.
There is no box to check for “conscientious objector.” More >
Counseling Military Conscientious Objectors During Wartime-CO steps
-
While it is always important to make sure that GI's are aware of all
the discharges for which they might qualify, crisis conditions make it
even more important that potential CO's are given full descriptions of
all of their alternatives. More >
How Can Someone Join and Then Become a CO?
- In wartime and in peacetime, at boot camp and beyond, some service members begin to feel that they cannot participate in war.
More >
How Can I Resist Military Service as a Non-Citizen?
- The
only possible immigration consequence of filing for conscientious
objector status is that you may not be able to get "quick" citizenship.
More >
What Happened to Vietnam Era War Resisters?
- During
the entire Vietnam War, 209,517 young men were formally accused of
violating draft laws. Government officials estimate that another
360,000 were never formally accused. More >
CO's in other countries
- The AFSC is supporting Israelis who refuse to serve in the military as part of the Faces of Hope Campaign.
Military service is mandatory in Israel, and these conscientious
objectors provide an important challenge to the occupation of the West
Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem as well as the militarism of Israeli
society.
- For more information about supporting CO's in other countries, see War Resisters League International.
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