In the military?
- Do you feel uncomfortable training with weapons?
- When you think of combat, does the thought of killing someone seem worse than being killed?
- When you were at boot camp, did chanting about killing bother you?
If you answer yes to any of these questions, it may be a sign that you're a conscientious objector (CO), and you may therefore be eligible for discharge. A CO is someone who is morally opposed to participating in war.
If you are in the military (Active Duty, Reserves, or Guard) and are not sure whether you're a CO or not, we recommend that you speak with a GI Rights counselor to help clarify what you believe about war and killing. Talking to a GI Rights counselor will also help you get clear on what constitutes a valid CO claim according to current military regulations.
If you are already sure you're a CO, it's still a good idea to seek the help of a GI Rights counselor in preparing your application. Members of the Catholic Peace Fellowship, as well as other counselors on the national GI Rights Hotline, are ready to help you through the CO application process regardless of your religious background or training.
Counselors with Catholic Peace Fellowship can be reached via phone or email:
(574) 232 2295
girightscpf AT hotmail DOT com
staff AT catholicpeacefellowship DOT org
The national GI Rights Hotline (which CPF contributes to) is the main national provider of guidance and information for COs and potential COs:
877-447-4487
girights AT objector DOT org