National Journal: New bill seeks to modify conscientious-objector process
Washington,
November 27, 2017
National Journal - Rep. Gwen Moore is trying to streamline one of the most famous, if rarely applied, elements of the military draft.
By Alex Clearfield
Rep. Gwen Moore is trying to streamline one of the most famous, if rarely applied, elements of the military draft. The Wisconsin Democrat’s new bill would allow potential draftees to indicate conscientious objection during the initial registration period, which is within 30 days of the person’s 18th birthday. Currently, one must wait to be actually drafted to apply. On the House floor, Moore made clear the bill does not change the requirements or guarantee a registrant CO status, but makes the process “more direct and straightforward.” Conscientious objectors found fit for military service must submit a written statement to the draft board proving their status. Those granted CO status are assigned alternative service, for instance in conservation or health care. Recent statistics are hard to come by, as the military became an all-volunteer force in 1973 and thus weeded out most potential COs. According to PBS, roughly 72,000 of the 34.5 million World War II registrants were COs, but by 2006 only 42 soldiers applied. Ruth Flower, formerly chief lobbyist for the Friends Committee on National Legislation, a Quaker association, said “a lot of conscientious objectors were troubled with the idea that they’d be sending a false message to the government and to the world that they would be available for military service when they wouldn’t,” and that moving CO application up could make it “likely that more conscientious objectors would register, and believe that their registration is truthful.” To read online, please click here. |
