BS: Should I lie or go back to the army

Subject: RE: BS: Should I lie or go back to the army
From: DougR
Date: 18 Feb 03 - 04:47 PM

boab: if you were called, and decided not to go, where could you go? In the U. S. everybody goes to Canada. Is there a safe haven such as that in Europe?

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Should I lie or go back to the army
From: boab d
Date: 18 Feb 03 - 04:59 PM

probably jail i think if i chose not to go i would take what was coming and accept it. i may dissagree but i wouldnt run away i would have to take what came my way.

Subject: RE: BS: Should I lie or go back to the army
From: stevetheORC
Date: 18 Feb 03 - 05:43 PM

Once again the simple solution. Just say your 'Gay' you know damn well what the response will be 'Thank you but no Thanks' and of you trott.
Again the disclaimer 'This is not a attack on gay people it's an attack on the Millitary mentality'
Hope all goes well for you

Orc

Subject: RE: BS: Should I lie or go back to the army
From: Charley Noble
Date: 18 Feb 03 - 08:56 PM

Boab-

At least you're still in position to make a decision. If you make the wrong decision your options are going to diminish quickly.

I made a good decision in 1965, another in 1968, and I'm glad I'm still around in 2003 to appreciate my courage and luck.

Good luck!
Charley Noble

Subject: RE: BS: Should I lie or go back to the army
From: CET
Date: 18 Feb 03 - 10:42 PM

Boab:

I was only going by your first post, which indeed gave no basis at all for conscientious objector status. You do seem to have some moral views on the war. Unfortunately, I can't see how you are any further ahead in establishing yourself as a conscientious objector. This requires, if I understand the situation in Britain, a fixed moral objection to participation in war of any sort. A disagreement with the government about this particular operation is unlikely to be accepted as a reason for granting you CO status.

I also was not trying to convince you to return to the colours. When I said that this was a decision that you will have to take yourself, I meant it. You have already served your country (and I don't use the term loosely)well in Kosovo, and I would never criticize you as a shirker.

I do think, however, that there is some incoherence in your views on Iraq. You surely cannot be serious in comparing the situation of the prisoners at Guantanamo Bay, who are well fed, properly clothed, given medical care, and allowed to practice their religion with the victims of Saddam Hussein. The case against him as a torturer and murderer is established beyond dispute.

Also, the U.S. and Britain are not preparing for war against Saddam Hussein because he is an evil man. One of the great weaknesses of the American position so far has that it seems to suggest that the military action is justified by Saddam's evil nature. The fact is that he is an evil man who unquestionably possesses biological and chemical weapons, has refused to comply with the U.N. resolutions ordering him to give these weapons up and to provide proof that he has done so, and has demonstrated a willingness to use these weapons. He is therefore a genuine danger to other nations, and particularly the U.S. and Britain. He probably does not have a nuclear capability, but he has certainly made efforts to obtain it. He has violated every U.N. resolution ever passed against him, and will never comply unless forced to do so. If that can be accomplished without war, so much the better. Unfortunately, a demand is hardly credible if your opponent knows you will not put it into effect.

North Korea does indeed pose a danger, and the rest of the world will have to do something about it at some point. However, the fact that there is a danger in North Korea does not mean that there is no danger from Saddam's Iraq.


So, in answer to the question at the beginning of this thread, I don't think you should lie. Tell the truth. I hope you think about it carefully first, though.

Best wishes

Edmund

Subject: RE: BS: Should I lie or go back to the army
From: Teribus
Date: 19 Feb 03 - 03:11 AM

Nigel,

In answer to your question, the return of conscription? Possible - Yes - Probable - No.

Even when National Service was phased out in 1957, only the Army was accepting National Servicemen - neither the Royal Navy or Air Force could use them. The armed forces have got a lot more technical since then and we no longer have the staff, bases or resources to train a massive influx of recruits. There was a link in a thread about Sergeant Chef's in the Parachute Regiment being put in charge of training squads.

Subject: RE: BS: Should I lie or go back to the army
From: GUEST,Charmion at work
Date: 19 Feb 03 - 02:33 PM

Speaking as another ex-medic, Boab, I suggest that you should, first, remember that, while you may not "believe in war" or care about the fate of the world's oil companies, you certainly believe in caring for the wounded and sick. Iraq is going to be full of wounded and sick people, at least some of whom will be British soldiers just like you used to be.

On the practical level, you should find out what your legal obligations really are, and the true extent of your likely liability. If the coming excursion is anything like Gulf War I, by the time they get around to digging you out, the tumult and the shouting will be over and the captains and kings will be long gone. Plan your prevarications to the Personnel Selection Officer (or your bolt to Bolivia) when that OHMS letter is actually in your letter box.

When you have found out the facts (not your fears), you should talk the whole thing out with your fiancee and your employer. You may find you have less of a potential crisis on your hands than you think.