In-Service Conscientious Objection

The discharge of service members who became conscientious objectors after induction is a logical extension of our national policy of "exempting from military service those whose consciences will not permit them to bear arms for their country." ¹ "Respect for the value of conscientious action and for the principle of supremacy of conscience" and the pragmatic recognition of "the hopelessness of converting a sincere conscientious objector into an effective fighting man" ² justify applying the same standards to CO's whether their views crystalized before or after induction. It was not until 1962, however, that the Department of Defense issued regulations providing for the discharge of in-service conscientious objectors. ³ Although the DOD directive relies on the same substantive standards for CO status as the Selective Service Act, its implementation raises distinctive problems for the in-service conscientious objector.