I got Conscientious Objector status during Vietnam -- ask me anything

[Dems Will Win]

I received my 1-O status after going before the draft board twice. I would have served as a medic if called but got a high number in the lottery after all that.

[pebbles1]

1. please tell us what

you did

step by step

[Dems Will Win]

4. OK

1. Went to the Friends resistance group that was draft counseling. Went a few times and got lots of counseling. That's essential.

2. Had to write an essay on my pacifism in the form you fill out. Said I was not a coward. Remember that the line in the sand was whether you would fight Hitler or not. I would not even fight him, I said (though now I'm not so sure).

3. My family was involved in the Ethical Culture Society, which encourages Conscientious Objectors, so I had a clear argument to make in front of the Board. They would have likely turned me down without the religious connection. Jehovah's Witnesses and Quakers are other religions--they mandate no service.

4. Went twice before the Board and requested CO status.

5. Got my 1-O card in the mail.

It took several months altogether.

Today the task would be as difficult. If you just request status because of pacifism you may not get it. The special religious connection, such as becoming a Quaker when you are 16 or 17, is far stronger.

[damnraddem]

7. My essay didn't fit that profile.

My essay effectively said that I would not object to a just war such as that against Hitler. I listed no religious affiliation. And as I say, it took me one week to receive my card.

One issue illustrated is the unequal treatment of Selective-Service registrants as between different draft boards. Another local board was known to always refuse all CO requests -- I was lucky to live in the part of town in which I did.

[bobbieinok]

2. my recollection - each draft board had its own way of doing things

I remember reading/hearing that arguments that worked in one town/state often didn't work in another.

Also, each state had a certain quota. Sometimes they had difficulty filling it, so they were much stricter for a while.

My ex was from Utah and in 67/68 (when grad student deferments stopped) had some real problems. So many Mormons on missions and exempt from the draft!

[IrateCitizen]

3. Draft CO vs. current CO is two different things entirely

The current regulations surrounding conscientious objection were written for the draft, and have not been updated since. As such, it really doesn't cover current CO's within the military.

Also, the only way you can get CO is if you can actually say that there is absolutely NO CASE in which you would use violent force, even for self-defense. A soldier who filed for CO but was forced to deploy to Afghanistan while his claim was being processed was asked, "If our base came under attack, and your friends were under fire, would you help defend them?"

His answer was, "Of course I would."

Their response was simply, "Well, then you're not a CO."

His claim was denied, he finished his tour in Afghanistan, and came home. Then, he was ordered to deploy to Iraq. He took his wife and young son and went to Toronto, seeking refugee status.

I'm actually a CO applicant right now myself, awaiting determination of my claim. It's not an easy process. The system now is set up to be totally against you. The report from my investigating officer was disgustingly biased, plainly so in the eyes of anyone who's seen my CO packet. Yet, his recommendation of denial could very well sink my claim.

[G_j]

5. I was turned down

even though I went through extensive draft counciling and had numerous letters from clergy, teachers etc. I was told it was probably because I didn't claim to be a Christian.

I appealed, but in the mean time was called in for a physical (lottery #34) I told the army shrink I would refuse to cooperate and they could send me to prison if they liked. He excused me for a year. In that time the draft ended. close call....

[damnraddem]

8. Good for you!

Any way that works is a good way.

[G_j]

9. I guess they didn't like my essay

because I quoted Buddhist and Taoist sources along with Christian ones.

I did have some very impressive letters from Christian clergy who had known me for a number of years. That still wasn't enough I guess.
I was scared, but I think the doctor understood that I was serious about going to prison rather than partake in their criminal war.

[damnraddem]

6. I got my CO status. My draft-lottery number was #1.

I didn't state that I was against all war, just the Vietnam War. I submitted by application and got my status one week later. I was called to report for alternate service, but while negotiating with a site for alternate service, was informed that my being 'drafted' had been rescinded -- it was the spring of 1972, and the draft board had no more quota to fill, so rescinded my call up.

How did I get such easy treatment? All I know is that the chair of my draft board felt sorry for me: I had 'already served my country' in the Peace Corps.

Still, whatever the treatment, I still consider myself a Vietnam-era Veteran Draft Dodger.