During calendar years 2002 through 2006, the active and reserve components reported processing 425 applications for conscientious objector status. This number is small relative to the Armed Forces' total force of approximately 2.3 million servicemembers. Of the 425 applications the components reported processing, 224 (53 percent) were approved.... Each component's process is essentially the same, taking an average of about 7 months to process an application.... Officials from all the components stated that they attempt to temporarily reassign applicants to noncombatant duties while their applications are pending. Conscientious objector status is not considered when determining eligibility for benefits.... Of those 224 servicemembers whose applications were approved for conscientious objector status, 207 received honorable discharges....The full text of the report is available online. A story in today's North Coast Times focuses on data from the report for CO's in the Marine Corps.
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
GAO Issues Report On Military Conscientious Objectors
The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the number of conscientious objector applications received by the U.S. military, and the handling of those applications. The GAO summary of the Sept. 28 report says:
