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The Required QuestionsThere is no form to fill out in order to apply for CO status. Instead, you must answer the required questions on your own paper. The questions you must answer are listed in your Service's CO regulation. Some are easy--past jobs, addresses, etc. Some are harder--and these are the important ones. This section will give you an idea what these harder questions mean. Don't expect to answer these questions quickly. Think about them, talk about them, and follow the suggestions above before you try to write about them. The most important questions are the six (seven in the Army) which ask you to explain your beliefs. These are discussed first. Discharge or Transfer?Unlike the other military branches, the Army asks whether you are willing to serve in the military as a noncombatant, and why you will or will not. If you're in the Army, of course, you must answer this question. But even if you're not, you'll need to explain why you are applying for the status you are seeking. You can do this as part of your answer to the first question discussed below. You'll find further discussion of noncombatant duty in Discharge or Transfer?. While that chapter can't tell you what to say, it may give you a start toward your own stand. Nature of BeliefsThe first question asks you to: Describe the nature of the belief which requires you to seek separation from the military or assignment to noncombatant training and duty for reasons of conscience. A full answer to this question should include:
What Do You Believe?For some COs, this is the hardest question to answer on paper. They know what they believe but have trouble writing it down. An easy way to get started on this question is to say: "I am against participating in war because..." Then start writing what comes to mind. How important is human life? Why is it wrong to kill? What basic rules do you live by? Truth? Fairness? Honesty? Respecting others? Who decides what is right and wrong? Should people always follow their conscience? What does the military do that is wrong? What teachings of others do you follow? The Golden Rule? The Scriptures? Jesus? Gandhi? Thoreau? Dorothy Day? Malcolm X? Elijah Muhammad? Fannie Lou Hamer? Martin Luther King, Jr.? How should people deal with conflicts? In working on this question, remember that a positive answer is best. Emphasize what you believe, not what you are against. Why You Can't Participate in WarMake it clear that because of your religious or moral training and belief you cannot participate in war. This is more than just wishing to avoid a combat zone. It is not just a dislike of military life. It is a firm decision that it is morally wrong to participate in war. If you are applying for discharge, you should say why you cannot take a noncombatant job in the military. Military officials may easily see why you are against killing, but may not understand why you aren't willing to serve in some other way. If you feel an obligation to serve your country as a civilian--for example, in a community center at home--say so. How and From Whom?The second question asks you to: Explain how your beliefs changed or developed and explain what factors caused the change in, or development of, your CO beliefs. In answering this question, it's a good idea to talk about:
Try to show how your present beliefs relate to your earlier training and experiences, both inside and outside the military. You'll want to list the different things that helped you form your beliefs against participating in war and your moral value system in general. Your beliefs about war are part of your overall beliefs. Most COs organize their answers by listing these things in order as they happened. You might tell how your family and friends influenced you; your religious training, if any; experiences in school; memberships in organizations; books and reading which influenced you. The more details you have, the stronger your claim will be. Remember, you aren't required to have had formal religious training. Your religious training may have influenced you a little or a lot. Or its influence may come out now in another form. You may have had "negative training"--for instance, you may have been shocked by bayonet training. Your training isn't Sunday School or formal training. It's the process that led you to what you believe now. That's what you should explain. Include in your answer experiences you've had since entering the military which have been important in your decision. Explain how your new experiences in the military make you see that you can't be part of war. When and WhyThe third question asks you to: Explain when and why these beliefs became incompatible with military service.
When Did You Become a CO?The military may try to deny your claim if they believe you held CO beliefs at the time you enlisted. So it's very important to state clearly that you weren't a CO when you enlisted, and what made you change your mind. Some COs make the mistake of saying they have been COs "all their lives" or "since high school." They think this will be proof of their sincerity. Often, though, it's just the opposite. A person who says this may really mean he or she had feelings against war, but wasn't a conscientious objector to participation in war in any form. If you had very strong feelings against war before you entered the military, you are still eligible for discharge or transfer if those feelings matured into objections after you came face to face with military training and duty. It's the objection to participation that's the important thing. If you had strong feelings against war at the time you joined the military, say so. Then explain how those feelings changed since you entered the military. On the other hand, if you had little or no objection to war when you joined, say so. But it is very important to go on and say how those feelings developed and forced you to take a stand. What Changed Your Mind?No matter when it happened, you will have to explain what it was that finally made you decide you were against participating in war. Was it your reaction to bayonet training? Firing at human-shaped targets? Combat training? Loading bombs on planes? For some COs, it isn't one big thing, but a lot of little events that finally bring them to their CO stand. If this is the case with you, say so. Also make it clear why you are making the application now and not a month or two years ago. Some people don't think seriously about what they are doing until they get orders for reassignment. The shock of being sent to a combat zone or combat-type training is often what gets someone thinking. If any of the above applies to you, say so and describe the experiences and your reaction. You should also include any non-military experiences or influences which helped change your beliefs. Books, movies, news stories, people you've met, and many other factors may have helped to change your mind. The Use of ForceAn explanation as to the circumstances, if any, under which you believe in the use of force, and to what extent under any foreseeable circumstances. Many objectors have trouble with this question. The Use of Force discusses the use of force in detail. Read it before you try to answer this question. You can use this question to your advantage by explaining your beliefs as clearly as you can. Among other things, you might want to:
Keep in mind that you don't have to object to all "force" or to violence, but only to war, in order to obtain CO status. Changed Life Style and Future PlansThe fifth question asks you to: Explain how your daily life style has changed as a result of your beliefs. This and the following question concern your sincerity and depth of belief. Since you're in the military and can't change your life style very much, the question may seem unrealistic. But there may be some things you can point to. Do you talk with or write to friends about the problems of conscience and war? Have you written to any peace organizations or taken part in peace rallies?1 Have you talked with other members of the military about conscientious objection? Have you tried to avoid the more warlike aspects of training duty, like rifle range or bayonet training? If, after becoming a CO, you went AWOL or refused orders because of your beliefs, remember that such events are part of your record. For some COs such action may be valid evidence of sincerity. As for the future, you can't be sure how you will act in all situations, but many COs state that they will try to act according to their beliefs--whether or not their requests are approved. If you'd like to work in a community service job, say so. But you don't have to be a Peace Corps volunteer or a social worker to prove you are a CO. Think about what you might like to do when you get your discharge; it's sure to reflect your beliefs in some way. Point out how it does. Remember, though, that COs come from all walks of life, including social work, blue-collar work, banking, sales--even boxing. Living your own life, without harming others, can also reflect your beliefs. Consistency and Depth of BeliefThe sixth and last question asks you to: Explain what in your opinion most conspicuously demonstrates the consistency and depth of your CO beliefs. This question, like the previous one, is wide open as to what you can include in your answer. Your past actions, before you made your application, may show what kind of person you were becoming. Have you, for instance, shown that you are a person who stands up for your beliefs? Did you avoid fights? How did you feel about capital punishment? Hunting? Were you active in church projects or other humanitarian or community services? Remember that behavior before you became a CO doesn't prove you are one now, nor does it prove you are not. But it can help to give military officials a true picture of the kind of person you are. And what about now? Your answer to Question 5 may show the consistency and depth of your belief. And you might want to point out that you are making your application in order to settle the conflict between your conscience and your military duties. Your application itself may be the strongest, most persuasive evidence that you are trying to act in an honest and consistent manner. The more care and effort that goes into your claim, the more convincing this argument will be. In addition to actions you've taken on your CO claim and any work for peace you've done, be sure to include other actions which show that you try to live by your values. For example, if you believe the earth should be protected, do you recycle? If you believe in the Bible, do you read it regularly? Information like this can help to make a stronger CO claim. Other QuestionsThe other questions asked of CO applicants are simple. You must answer each one. Claims are sometimes returned because some bit of information was missing. You will be asked to list your previous jobs. If you've ever worked as a civilian for the defense industry, or for the military, explain why you got the job, why you left it, and whether your conscience would allow you to do the same work again. OrganizationsPart C consists of three questions about your past and present affiliations with military, religious, and other organizations. Question 1 asks whether you have ever been a member of a military organization before you enlisted for your present term. If you were in ROTC, it's not likely that you were a CO at the time. If your experiences acted as "negative training," explain this briefly and detail your answer in Question 2 of the series dealing with religious training and belief. You should also state when and why you left each organization and whether or not you would now agree to be a member. Question 2 asks whether you are a member of a religious sect or organization. If you are, get a copy of its position on conscientious objection from your pastor, the National Interreligious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors (who can be contacted at (202) 483-2220) or the GI Rights Hotline. Submit the statement with your application. If you are no longer an active member, you may still want to submit the statement to show the roots of your belief--but make clear that is why you are submitting it. Question 3 asks about affiliations and activities with other sorts of organizations. If you have become a member of an anti-war group such as the Fellowship of Reconciliation or the War Resisters League, or have become active in peace work or with religious groups, here is the place to say it. You can then give further details in your answers to the questions on religious training and belief.
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Contents CO Regulations Acrobat Version
Ordering Information GI Rights Hotline CCCO
GI Rights Publications
girights@objector.org