Taken from The Miami Herald/Editorials 3/22/04

Our opinion: Opposing war in Iraq is not enough for farewell to arms.

The effort of Army Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia of N. Miami to seek consciencious-objector status is a salutary reminder that federal law and regulations recognize that persons who oppose participationin war "in any form" are entitled to be discharged from military service. In the event of a draft, they are exempt; if called up, they may perform alternative civilian service.
That does not mean that, however, that everyone who claims CO status deserves it. They don't. For Sgt. Mejia, earning this distinction will be tough challenge, which we believe is only fair in view of of the volunteer nature of today's armed forces.

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As the Pentagon relies more and more on National Guard and Reseserve forces in Iraq, more potential objectors may come forward. Some may have ample reason to share the persistent doubts that have arisen about this war, but thos who suddenly discover they are opposed to participating in a shooting war should know that the claim will be rigorously examined-by,among others, a psychiatrist and a chaplain. ait is one thing to develop a deep-seated conviction against war over a period of time, but quite another to have a sudden conversion in a Humvee under fire in Iraq.