For Those in the Military

If you are presently serving in the military or in the Delayed Enlistment Program and beginning to rethink your participation, here are resources to help you.

Before you begin your search, please know

• it is possible and legal to get out,
• free services are available, and
• there are people willing to help support you along the way.

Below you will find links to web sites to help you think about your participation, e-mail addresses of people willing to discuss your questions with you directly, and legal information. We’re connecting you with the links most likely to be of immediate help. Please zoom around these web sites to find much more information.

Getting a discharge is rarely easy or quick. You need good legal advice and personal support. Begin here--

http://www.girightshotline.org
The GI Rights Hotline is a service of the GI Rights Network. This is a non-governmental network providing free, confidential, counseling to members of the armed forces--
Phone: 1-877-447-4487

The Center on Conscience & War
The Center on Conscience & War (formerly National Inter-religious Service Board for Conscientious Objectors) provides a wide range of counseling and legal services. To military service members, they provide free counseling on issues such as CO discharges, AWOL consequences, and Entry Level Separation information. The Center also assists youth with questions regarding draft registration and getting out of the Delayed Entry Program.

http://mc-network.de
The Military Counseling Network, located in Germany, offers free advice on regulations and specializes in OCONUS situations and CO applications.

Military Counselling Network in Germany

Information about the Delayed Enlistment Program:

Getting out of the Delayed Entry Program (also known as the Delayed Enlistment Program or DEP) is much easier than you have probably been told. You do have a right to get out. And you will not be alone: the Department of Defense reported that 15% - 24% of those in the DEP in 1999 changed their minds and left the program. If you are having second thoughts for any reason, it is best to get out now. It is much more difficult after you have started training.

http://www.girightshotline.org/discharges/dep/fact-sheet/index.shtml
The web page for the GI Rights Network information on the DEP.

http://www.afsc.org/youthmil
American Friends Service Committee: Counseling Military Conscientious Objectors During Wartime.

http://co.mcc.org/us/co
Ask a vet: About faith, military service, and peace. The resources on this Mennonite Central Committee site include

• e-mail addresses for military veterans and conscientious objectors who will be happy to talk to you about their experiences and commitment to Christ's way of peace,
• books to read,
• videos to view, and
• more links.

http://peace.MennoLink.org
The Mennonite Peace and Justice Committee is committed to finding you a "peace mentor"-- someone to discuss your Christian faith and peace and justice issues with. If you are interested, please contact us and we’ll find you someone to talk with.

Bread for the Enemy: A Peace and Justice Lectionary will guide you on the journey of God’s people through the Bible as they learn about peacemaking. If you are a member of the armed services or in the Delayed Enlistment Program, we’ll send you a copy free! Just e-mail us.

Other resources to help you think about Christ’s call to peace are on our resources pages.

Anyone wanting to support members of the military re-considering this issue:All the organizations above need donations and counselors. Contact them directly.

 PeaceSigns 
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