Conscientious Objector Resources

A conscientious objector is an "individual who has claimed the right to refuse to perform military service" on the grounds of freedom of conscience or religion. The term has also been extended to objecting to working for the military–industrial complex due to a crisis of conscience.


Why are we  offering these resources?

I never celebrated Veterans day, until I became A Conscientious Objector.

Even though serving in the military was a family tradition we never celebrated Veterans day.

I never knew what a conscientious objector was until I was mistakenly called one when I was caring for a patient who had tried to commit suicide at 4am in middle of a dusty hot tent clinic in iraq. He assumed because of the medic badge I wore that I carried on the long standing tradition of those who oppose war and taking lives because of their moral compass or religion, a Conscientious Objector, and serves as a medic instead.

Veterans Day holds a different weight for me today. We are offering these resources because every 18 year old is required to register with the Selective Service, a pool to draw from in case a future draft is instituted for mandatory military service. Knowledge is Power. Everyone should know what it means when you register and what your conscience is requiring of you.

 My conscience demands hard things of me today. I’m watching bombs drop on refugee camps, hospitals, schools and kids. As a medic on the Iraq battlefield I never saw anything like this.

Please honor those you love, your friends, family and children you are raising with these tools.

Ask questions, share these tools. Never give away something you cannot live without.



If you’re currently in the military

If you’re considering joining the military



{GI RIGHTS HOTLINE- 1-800-379-2679 }




FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


  • What is the selective service?


The Selective Service is a registration that the  US Government requires all  males to sign up for when they turn 18 years old. 


Registration is a way the American government keeps a list of names of men from ages 18-26 which to draw on in the event a future “draft” is instated. By registering all young men, Selective Service ensures that a future draft will be fair and equitable.


NOTE: Registering with Selective Service does not mean you are joining the military

  • I am opposed to War, if drafted I would be a Conscientious Objector should I refuse to register?

Not at all!

It’s called the National Alternative Service Program. For those opposed to war, the Government finds Civilian work for those exempted from military training and service. I’ve personally met Viet Nam folks who did this and created great things that are still serving my city today instead of training for war when their draft numbers were called. 

Some of the civilian places you can serve in are:

  • caring for the very young or very old

  • education

  • health care

  • Conservation

  • What happens if I refuse to Register for the Selective Service?

Failure to register is a felony punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and/or 5 years imprisonment. There have been no prosecutions for not registering since 1986.

Penalties for refusing to sign up for Selective Service include not being eligible for:

  • State funded financial Aid, most federal employment, some state employment, working in the executive branch of the government, the Postal Service, security clearance for contractors and U.S. citizenship for immigrant men.

Does America have a Draft?

No. It’s currently not active.  


What is the difference between the Selective Service and the Draft?


The Selective Service is the pool of registered names that if there was a future Draft instated the names would be called from.



Faith Forum on Peace in the Middle East

Embed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBcefRkHNMk

RLC hosted a Faith Forum on Peace in the Middle East with special guests from Israel, Palestine, and the US—conscientious objectors who refused to fight for Hamas and for the Israeli military, along with US veterans who became peacemakers.

Attendees heard from heroes for peace as they shared their stories of why they chose not to participate in the escalating violence of war. They invited us to ask the question, "What does courage look like—for me?”




*Find more information at:

https://www.sss.gov/faq/#general-questions

Diana Oestreich