Really, the military is no laughing matter. Even though I can empathize with Very first Lieutenant Ehren Watada, I do not feel sorry for him. He’s about to learn the hard way: You can not use civil disobedience to make a point in the military. For one factor, the Army’s personal regulations preclude selective conscientious objection. No exceptions.

It really is a morale situation. If 1 man can argue his way out of going to a war with which he disagrees then every soldier will want that privilege. You will soon have a breakdown in discipline. The ranks will disintegrate.

Watada, by his own admission, joined the military in response to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 as an act of patriotism. His views regarding the Iraq War created over time due to the fact then. It appears he joined the military out of youthful petulance and now he desires out via the similar door. He’s going to find that the door won’t open.

By contrast, I was against the war before it started. It was incorrect. I nonetheless believe it was incorrect. I went mainly because I could see the writing on the wall. Other guys had gone to jail for refusing to serve. They had the exact same moral arguments. And lost. defence qualifications reasoned that I would as well.

When it comes to military service, there are but two solutions: Volunteer and do as they say, or refuse to serve. On the eve of my deployment, I pondered the possibilities. I sought the right counsel, considered the consequences. I am confident I created the ideal choice, even though I will usually regret the position my government put me in.

I, like numerous other soldiers before me, discovered my lesson the really hard way. Elected officials are not infallible. They make blunders. Some of them are sincere mistakes and some of them are not. They are blunders nonetheless. When your sons and daughters volunteer for military service, they are putting their lives on the line for human infallibility. It really is a high-risk venture. I gambled and lost. Lieutenant Watada is putting significantly extra on the line and I think he, as well, will drop. I hate to see (or say) it, but don’t count on Watada’s gambit to change the rules. It will likely lead to checkmate and a fried liver massacre.