What happens if a soldier refuses to serve in Iraq?

[pabloseb]

Would there be a military trial? Would there be any lines of defense?
And, what exactly would the punishment be?

edit: spelling

[Cuban_Liberal]

1. He would be court-martialed.

Very likely reduced in rank, fined and likely imprisoned. The best he could hope for would be a dishonorable discharge.

[Qanisqineq]

2. Jail

[China_cat]

3. In time of war

it is considered desertion and he -could- be shot for it. (A punishment that has only been used once since the civil war that I'm aware of but I wouldn't put it past this administration to use it.)

[Extend a Hand]

4. here is the list of known war resisters and

what has happened to them. This link is from the Project for the Old American century home page.

http://www.tomjoad.org/WarHeroes.htm#listresisters

[rickrok66]

5. Violation of Article 87, UCMJ - Missing Movement

Here is the exact max punishment:

"Maximum punishment.

(1) Design. Dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 2 years.

(2) Neglect. Bad-conduct discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 1 year."

The UCMJ is posted all over the net. I think FindLaw.com has it.

Anyway, many people (including soldiers)don't relaize that a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge alone will ruin your life. You can never get a student loan, receive almost no kind of federal or state assistance, and be barred from any job that does a background check on you.

Most military folks call the bad conduct discharge the "big chicken dinner". As - he got kicked out and all he got was the big chicken dinner as a parting gift.

I hope this helps.

[TahitiNut]

6. Ft. Leavenworth, KS.

Ft. Leavenworth (KS), U.S. Disciplinary Barracks, ca. 1918-1919



Ft. Leavenworth (KS), 7th Wing; caption "'Open' Cells In Tiers For the Better Type of Prisoners." The men are confined in this wing except when at work or at mess. They have no outdoor recreation, but may read, write, converse, and play checkers"



Ft. Leavenworth (KS), 7th Wing Sub-Basement, Solitary Cell, ca. 1918-1919; caption "Behind the Wooden Doors Are Bars; the board and blankets shown are the facilities granted for the sole respite from the monotony of solitary"


Today ...

[bonito]

7. A Stronger conscience n/t.

[pabloseb]

8. Thanks for the replies! n/t

[bullimiami]

9. camilo mejia

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/03/16/national/main606703.shtml