Initial Request

As soon as you've got the first draft of your CO claim, write a letter that says, "I have become a conscientious objector to participation in war in any form." Then say whether you want to be discharged or transferred to noncombatant duties. Then write, "I understand that until a final decision is made I am to be employed in duties providing minimum conflict with my beliefs." It's also a good idea, if you can, to make a specific request for temporary duty or transfer to an assignment you can accept--for instance, if you're in a combat unit, you can request an assignment that doesn't use weapons, or if none is available, ask for transfer out of your unit to one with noncombatant jobs available.

Submit the statement to the person named in "To Whom One Applies," below. Keep a copy.

This written request may serve one or more purposes.

• It puts the military on notice that you're a CO.
• It may get you placed on noncombatant duty until the military decides on your case; and
• In some cases, it may get you held in your unit rather than shipped to a combat unit or combat assignment.

Go to next page