Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors (CCCO)
"Supports the individual and collective resistance to war and preparations for war."
Definitely the most exhaustive site out there for researching and promoting service members rights and outlining the oft-misunderstood procedures within the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). Provides links to download official regulations for every branch of service, as well as informal guides, posters, magazines, and pamphlets aimed at educating anyone interested in the legal protections and restrictions GIs face. CCCO also has resources for counter recruitment and the selective service.
www.objector.org
GI Rights Hotline
"A network of nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations who provide information to servicemembers about military discharges, grievance and complaint procedures, and other civil rights."
A telephonic counseling and guidance service that provides information on several issues including the "Don't ask, Don't tell" policy, Medical and Psychological discharges, hardship/dependency protection, AWOL/UA, and conscientious objection procedures. All calls are free and confidential, but be careful, some military posts have blocked this number from being dialed! Go off post or use your cell phone (you will be connected to the nearest cell to the area code you use for your phone number). The counselors are all volunteers and rarely are able to answer every call, but they are very good at returning messages.
(800) 394-9544
www.objector.org/girights
Catholic Peace Fellowship
"…a mighty league of conscientious objectors."
A site focused on and fueled by the Catholic peace tradition, CPF has extensively documented the customs of the early church fathers as well as the most up-to-date doctrines of the Roman Catholic Church in regards to peace and war. Their section titled "Church Teachings" contains a vast archive of scriptural support, Canonical texts, and quotes from the Holy Fathers, Saints, and Popes past and present alike. They also have a podcast on iTunes titled "Warcast for Catholics."
www.catholicpeacefellowship.org
American Friends Services Committee
The AFSC has been a forerunner in advocating against global militarization for decades, being jointly awarded the Nobel Peace prize with their United Kingdom equivalents in 1947. Currently, the organization has an excellent program that focuses primarily on the dangerous mix of youth and militarism, including resources on conscientious objection and counter recruitment for parents and youth. Their "Great Careers" booklet has expertly laid out career paths for teenagers struggling with how to support themselves financially without relying on a military contract.
http://afsc.org/youthmil
Military Law Task Force of the National Lawyers Guild
If you understand legal-ese (or if your lawyer needs some documentation), this site has vital documentation and information for every type of legal action. The MLTF does a great job of connecting the UCMJ with a service members' constitutional rights, a link many GIs are inaccurately told does not exist.
www.nlgmltf.org
GI Discharges
A table set up with links for any type of administrative discharge under UCMJ, separated by branch, and including links to download the relevant regulation. A great site to acquire the appropriate directives and self-inform on issues that often are miscommunicated (either willfully or ignorantly) by commanders at the highest levels. Not very aesthetic, but infinitely valuable in getting the real facts.
www.gidischarges.org
Various Denominational Peace Fellowships:
Must-See Movies:
Soldiers of Conscience – Explores the dichotomy between patriotism and pacifism and the struggle of conscience over conformity (officially endorsed by the US Army). Soon to be released…
www.socfilm.com
Sir! No Sir! – Documentary on Vietnam GI resistance movement (free to active and deployed troops!)
www.sirnosir.com
Free Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mv7-ZdkZuFg
The Ground Truth – Iraq Vets retelling their experiences with recruitment, deployment, and redeployment from OIF.
http://thegroundtruth.net
View for Free: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5188599301918606321
Iraq for Sale – Describes the enormous wealth that is being garnered by corporate entities at the expense of American lives in Iraq.
http://iraqforsale.org
View for Free: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-9119641061303735733
Why We Fight – A survey of the growing industrialization and commercialization of our national defense, starting with Eisenhower and culminating in current strategies in the Middle East.
www.sonyclassics.com/whywefight
View for Free:
1/4 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=-xYeuzG24mo
2/4 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=FV6cSUyeNQA
3/4 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=xi6mMFifMQY
4/4 - http://youtube.com/watch?v=afBMu6gGdK8
Must-Read Books
Easier Reads:
Jesus and the Nonviolent Revolution by Andre Trocme (www.plough.com/ebooks/pdfs/Jesus.pdf)
What Would You Do? By John Howard Yoder
Words of Conscience edited by NISBCO
New Testament Basis of Peacemaking by Richard M. Sorley, S.J.
Scholarly Reads:
The Politics of Jesus by John Howard Yoder
The Kingdom of God is Within You by Leo Tolstoy
Christian Attitudes Toward War and Peace by Roland Bainton
War; Four Christian Views edited by Robert Clouse
DOWNLOADS:
Resources from other sources:
GETTING OUT: A Guide to Military Discharges (GI Rights Hotline)
ADVICE FOR CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS IN THE ARMED FORCES (Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors)
MAKING PEACE WITH ENEMIES: 10 Truths Christians Need to Know (Mennonite Church)
Resources for the Different Branches:
Department of Defense (Directive 1300.6)
Army
(Regulation 600-43)
Air Force (Instruction 36-3204)
Marine Corps (Order 1306.16E)
These are a series of brief bible studies on war by the Mennonite site 'Third Way Cafe,' they're enormously helpful in understanding the old testament question.
Bible Study1
Bible Study2
Bible Study3
Bible Study4
Bible Study5
Bible Study6
Bible Study7
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