Getting Ready

Before you sit down to write your claim, you'll want to prepare yourself. Here are some suggestions:

• Get a copy of the conscientious objector regulation for your military branch. Study it and ask your counselor or CCCO to explain anything you don't understand. For more information on getting copies of regulations, visit www.objector.org/helpingout/ discharge-regulations.html or call CCCO.
• Read Conscientious Objection and the Law and Selective Objection of this book very carefully. And study this chapter so you'll be able to plan your answers to the required questions.
• Jot down the points you want your answers to cover. This doesn't mean making an outline as you may have done in school. If you find an outline helpful, use one. But if you don't, you'll probably still want to list the points you need to make.
• If possible, have a friend read your application to see whether it's clear and makes the points you wanted to make.
• Completing an application will require making revisions to make your original draft more clear and complete. Be prepared to write more than one draft.
• Don't submit anything to military officials until a civilian counselor or lawyer has read your application.

Go to next page