madadric wrote:
As to whether or not the Draft is a moral issue...well, what's the penalty for not going? does it onclude a loss of income? CAN you out-right refuse? or do they just drop you on some beach in the middle of a wearzone whether you like it or not? All i have for refernce is war movies, so i'm not treating a single word of it for fact.
Until a few years ago, it was possible to declare conscientious objector status on your selective service card if you were morally opposed to war in all forms, for example a member of the Quakers or Mennonites. As it was explained to me, this isn't an automatic pass. Instead, when your number is pulled, it starts a process by which you are offered a chance to provide a statement of your beliefs and evidence that these beliefs are strongly held. (Actually, I think you can apply for CO status any time during military service, but putting it on your service card lets them know up front)
Anyway, the process provides a series of questions about your objections, stength of belief and willingness to serve in a non-combat position. Your objection must be moral in nature, e.g. "a firm, fixed and sincere objection to participation in war in any form or the bearing of arms, by reason of religious training and belief." Objections based "solely upon considerations of policy, pragmatism, expediency, or political views" don't count.
If the draft board denies your request for CO status, I believe your only other option is federal prison.
The SS cards no longer have the CO check box, so you have to write "I am a conscientious objector" in marker on the card. As there hasn't been a draft since this was changed, it's not clear if/how this statement will be honored.