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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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