Coward or Objector?
I came across the following post during my daily reading and found it pretty interesting. Not that I think the fellow being maligned is headed down the right track, but the self righteous admonition of some within ranks just chaps my hide. Here is an excerpt of the article at DefenseWatch:
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09.23.2005
Navy Coward or Conscientious Objector?
By Matthew Dodd
On September 23, 2005, a small, select group of U.S. Navy officers is scheduled to have an opportunity to help make a very important decision that will potentially affect the good order and discipline in the ranks of all our military Services. Specifically, these officers will recommend the type of administrative discharge to be given to a sailor who has claimed to be a conscientious objector to our ongoing global war on terrorism, and specifically our combat operations in Iraq.
On December 6, 2004, Navy Petty Officer Pablo Paredes showed up at the San Diego pier where his amphibious assault ship, the USS Bonhomme Richard, was scheduled to deploy to the Persian Gulf, in a black tee-shirt with white letters that read, “Like a Cabinet Member, I resign.” At Paredes’ request, there were many media representatives at the pier to report his actions.
R.: Pablo Paredes, Photo: Citizens for Pablo. 
Paredes refused to board the ship, thereby missing his scheduled six month deployment, which is a violation of Article 87 of the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ): “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.”
