Does an active duty military officer have the right to refuse to deploy?

Prime8

When I was in the Corps, I remember all sorts of stories about certain Shavetails that were not found, or friendly fire etc.. Fragging comes to mind.

Many end up in Federal Prison while in the service. Cowards have a pretty tough time in places like that.

Things have changed for the better I believe. At least now they don't sneak into the quarters and leave you a bloody pulp in your rack. Or do they?

The story about "A few Good Men" was not fiction.:eek:

HQ
 
From the Seattle PI article:
At Fort Lewis last week, the Army charged Watada, 28, of Hawaii, one count of missing his unit's movement to Iraq, two counts of speaking contemptuously of President Bush and three counts of conduct unbecoming an officer.
...
Seitz [Watada's attorney] said he was surprised at the other charges because they appear to be a tactical blunder by the Army, opening the way for him to address the soldier's freedom of speech.
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No surprise there. From the UCMJ:

ART. 87. MISSING MOVEMENT
Any person subject to this chapter who through neglect or design misses the movement of a ship, aircraft, or unit with which he is required in the course of duty to move shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

ART. 88. CONTEMPT TOWARD OFFICIALS
Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

ART. 133. CONDUCT UNBECOMING AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN
Any commissioned officer, cadet, or midshipman who is convicted of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
 
It's not that big a deal. He's just requesting a transfer to Ft. Leavenworth. His new MOS will involve busting rocks.
 
If the guy feels as he does though...he prolly shouldnt be there anyway. I mean, would you guys want a guy like that there with you & your unit? He'd prolly wind up causing the death of some of our boys through inaction / indecision.

I'm not particularly fond of Bush or that war. But if I was drafted or whatever, I'd go in a heartbeat, even if it meant probable death because of my countrymen. Who wouldn't want to help their countrymen in a life/death struggle? Politics be damned, that crap can be sorted out later by the higher ups. Our men are over there and need all the help they can get.

I'm not military but (think) I understand that the military code is bigger than the politics of the war itself. It trickles down to effect the integrity of the unit(s) and the men themselves, i.e., their safety. It should be adhered to like the bible for the mens sake. I respect all you who have served, and or have family over there. Thank you!

That guy has lost perspective. If he's abandon his countrymen, he'd prolly abandon his family also. Same ideal. I've no respect for people like that and agree he should be courtmartialed.
 
If the guy feels as he does though...he prolly shouldnt be there anyway. I mean, would you guys want a guy like that there with you & your unit? He'd prolly wind up causing the death of some of our boys through inaction / indecision.
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Only problem is the guy joined in March, 2003, at the same time the invasion was taking place. He wasn't drafted. He only had a problem with the war when he found out he had to go to Iraq.
 
Yeah they sure didn't spring it on him as a suprise and he did volunteer. I guess he should've slept on it for another night or two, lol, before signing up.

Most jobs or big contracts do have some unforseen crap to come along with them and anyone with 1/2 a brain factors those unforseens in before signing a contract. Not the case here though! War + warm body volunteer = yeah I bet I do go there! duh.

Poor guy. I almost feel sorry for him. Now he has that coward/traitor label stapled to his forhead for life. I think dieing trying would be better than that label.
 
Harley

Things have changed for the better I believe. At least now they don't sneak into the quarters and leave you a bloody pulp in your rack. Or do they?


I hope they havn't changed. If this guy doesnt wanna die for his country, FINE! But he damn better well be willing to die for his subordinants, and fellow officers. I cant speak for anyone else, but I went as much for my new found BROTHERS than anything else. He has an obligation to his men, and fellow service members alike. An obligation to help them come home alive. It doesnt matter what his view, or ours for that matter. What does matter is you do your part to protect your brothers!
All the blanket parties I saw were done by fellow squad members. It usually doesnt go that far, but there is something to be said for "policing your own". Just think, if every "gangbanger's" mamma kicked the crap out of them, they'd of never gotten involved. When I was a child, there was 1 thing that kept me in line! It wasnt the fear of God, or the police. It was my father kickin my ass when I got caught.:D
 
He swore an oath to the constitution of the United States. In the oath he swore to obey the lawful orders of the superiors appointed over him. He is a discrace to the U.S. Army. Set a poor example to his soldiers. He has absolutely no right to voice his opinion concerning the war that congress approved.
 
HA! Look on the bright side - with all the screaming from the media and the anti war movement to make examples out of our troops when they make mistakes, this is one time where the Army is going to be more than happy to oblige.
 
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