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More worthwhile links
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Signing up for the military isn't
like taking a job or registering for a camp or school. It is a serious
decision that has lifelong consequences. Recruiters are quick to
emphasize the good points about being in the military, but there are
many downsides, especially now, with the Iraq Occupation still going on
and increased troop strengths in Afghanistan. What recruiters say about
life in the military at best omits many facts. At worst, recruiters
tell out and out lies to meet the quotas imposed on them by a military
constantly in need of more recruits. (See
Recruiter Abuse Hotline at lower left).
(Get a free copy of the "Before
You Enlist" DVD for showing to youth groups, etc. by writing to jajaja1234@aol.com )
 First Lieutenant Ehren Watada, U.S. Army, faced court
martial after refusing deployment to Iraq. After a three year struggle
inside the U.S. Army Courts-Martial system, the Army has decided to
give Watada an administrative discharge rather than pursuing further
prosecution. The Army failed in its first court martial convened
against him for "Missing Movement" and "Conduct Unbecoming an Officer
and a Gentleman," and sought to retry him. A U.S. District Court
ruled this violated Watada's constitutional protection against double
jeopardy. The Department of Justice was working on an appeal of
this decision but halted their work in May 2009. Watada will be
separated and given a discharge "under less than honorable conditions."
(Source: Honolulu Star Bulletin, 26 September, 2009)
Watch a video in which Lt.
Watada explains his actions.
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