Anti-War Soldier May be Court-Martialed

[meganmonkey]

FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) - An Army hearing officer has recommended a court-martial for a soldier charged with desertion after he refused to deploy to Iraq.

--snip---
Benderman, an Army mechanic, refused to accompany his unit Jan. 7 for a second tour in Iraq, 10 days after he gave notice that he was seeking a discharge as a conscientious objector. He said he became opposed to war after serving in the 2003 invasion.

Benderman, 40, is charged with desertion and missing movement. If convicted in a general court-martial, he would face up to seven years in prison, reduction in rank to private and a dishonorable discharge.

His application for conscientious objector status is being considered separately. Fort Stewart officials say he should have deployed with his unit, the 3rd Forward Support Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division, while that application was being processed.

more...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4820965,00.html

[meganmonkey]

1. I think this important

We debate here all the time why the soldiers follow orders, what the moral implications are, what their duties are as humans vs. soldiers...

Here we have a guy who is trying to stand up for his beliefs and getting f*cked for it by the Army. We should be outraged!!!

So, I shall kick my own thread!

[Zhade]

2. He's a hero, and here's a kick.

Kick!

[cosmicdot]

3. do unto Bu$h** as you would do unto Sgt. Benderman

at least this soldier applied for CO status ... we have an illegitimate pResident and alleged war criminal ending speeches with 'semper fi' not yet charged for desertion and missing movement and with no CO application ...

[seriousstan]

4. It will be hard to argue conscientious objector status.

WHO QUALIFIES?
Beliefs which qualify a registrant for CO status may be religious in nature, but don't have to be. Beliefs may be moral or ethical; however, a man's reasons for not wanting to participate in a war must not be based on politics, expediency, or self-interest. In general, the man's lifestyle prior to making his claim must reflect his current claims.



http://www.sss.gov/FSconsobj.htm

It requires proof of holding the beliefs PRIOR to being enlisted.

[struggle4progress]

5. kick