Conscientious Objection
What is conscientious objection?
Conscientious objectors (CO's) are people who refuse to participate in the military and war. Some are civilians who do things like oppose war taxes and work to reduce the role of the military in society. Others become conscientious objectors only after they have experienced being in the military firsthand, either during peacetime or wartime. Some speak out publicly after having served in the military, forming a GI resistance movement.
If you think you might be a conscientious objector to registering for Selective Service (the draft) or you are in the military and you think you might qualify for a CO discharge, find out where you can get help and information.
Definition of CO as Someone Opposed to Fighting in War
- By the US military's definition, COs are service members or draftees who have come to believe because of religious or moral reasons that they cannot participate in any war. More >
I'm a man turning 18 and I don't believe in war. Can I register as a conscientious objector?
- In reality, there are only two choices: either you register or you don’t. There is no box to check for “conscientious objector.” More >
Counseling Military Conscientious Objectors During Wartime-CO steps
- While it is always important to make sure that GI's are aware of all the discharges for which they might qualify, crisis conditions make it even more important that potential CO's are given full descriptions of all of their alternatives. More >
How Can Someone Join and Then Become a CO?
- In wartime and in peacetime, at boot camp and beyond, some service members begin to feel that they cannot participate in war.
More >
How Can I Resist Military Service as a Non-Citizen?
- The only possible immigration consequence of filing for conscientious objector status is that you may not be able to get "quick" citizenship. More >
What Happened to Vietnam Era War Resisters?
- During the entire Vietnam War, 209,517 young men were formally accused of violating draft laws. Government officials estimate that another 360,000 were never formally accused. More >
CO's in other countries
- The AFSC is supporting Israelis who refuse to serve in the military as part of the Faces of Hope Campaign. Military service is mandatory in Israel, and these conscientious objectors provide an important challenge to the occupation of the West Bank, Gaza and East Jerusalem as well as the militarism of Israeli society.
- For more information about supporting CO's in other countries, see War Resisters League International.
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