Personal Integrity
Read an article today about a young Marine who is trying to obtain conscientious objector status now that his unit has been activated to be sent to Iraq. He claims to be a pacifist and a regular attendee of anti-war rallies. O. K. I have just one question: "What are you doing joining the Marines?" And here, really, is the crux of the whole thing. Service in America's military is voluntary. We are not like many European countries where service in the military is mandatory. In such a context conscientious objector makes sense. In America's military I'm not convinced it should even exist. I'm sorry, but there is such a thing as honoring your commitments and personal integrity. You volunteered for military service, most likely to have your education paid for by the U.S. Government. If you're going to talk the talk you have to walk the walk. Period.
"I object to war because I believe that it is impossible to achieve peace through violence."
So what the hell are you doing joining the MILITARY??
"It wasn't as well thought out as it should've been. It was about me being depressed and wanting direction in life."
Fine. Join the Peace Corps. Makes a bit more sense for a "pacifist" don't you think?
"They don't really advertise they kill people."
HELLO!!! It's the mil-i-ta-ry. What do you think that high-powered, automatic rifle is for?
Don't get me wrong. I have nothing against pacifists. I am certainly no advocate of war. I do have a problem with pacifists who join the military and then try and beg off their obligations when war actually comes along.
Sorry, Stephen, no sympathy for you.
Oh, and by the way, if he had real personal integrity he wouldn't have joined the military in the first place.