Can I ask an absurd question? What is the penalty for a soldier refusing to fight?

[BigBearJohn]

I had a dream last night that I woke up in the morning
and all the news stations were broadcasting that all
the American soldiers in Iraq refused to fight.

[Horse with no Name]

1. Jail.

But with this junta...you never know.
They might try to equate it with treason and put the soldiers to death.

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

2. depends on circumstance

if they can make a case that there were no lawful orders to follow, as Lt. W is trying to do, they may get off.

can be anything else from extra duty to death/life imprisonment

[spindrifter]

3. They can eventually become

Governor of Tx. and POTUS. With a little help from their friends and family.

[ncrainbowgrrl]

4. bwahaha! Good one!

:rofl:

Nice! :applause:

[Mind_your_head]

6. That is the BEST.ANSWER.EVER!!!!! eom

[noamnety]

5. You can see the various penalties here:

http://www.tomjoad.org/WarHeroes.htm#listresisters

(scroll down, and you can look through the cases.)

[baldguy]

7. 1st Lt Ehren Watada will find out.

[Cha]

8. I think what ever happens to

Lt Watada will be an honor compared to continued fighting in a war that he finds illegal and immoral. Going to jail instead of dying or being maimed or headfucked for bushit..hmmm, yeah, a, yeah, ..I choose jail!

[Mind_your_head]

9. Yes, or ordering men/women to do something that you find unconscionable

immoral, illegal....he is refusing to "head phuck" himself (or others) that way. He really is on the high moral ground.

I wish Lt. Watada all the best in his trials and tribulations. Bravery takes many forms. He's a very brave man.

Peace,
M_Y_H

[hardtravelin]

10. It comes down to the "Lawful Order"

You are bound by UCMJ to obey a lawful order given to you by a superior. That order, however, if unlawful/unethical, requires you to resist and if possible stop others in the commision of a crime.

It's all in the eyes of the judge. I wish the 1LT the best of luck-I believe he's on the right side of history.

But generally speaking, if you "refuse to fight" you will be removed from the "line", disarmed, and confined until such a time that they can adjudicate your situation. There were a few cases of this during the early part of the war.

Thoeretically, if under fire, you could be charged with the much more serious crime of desertion in the face of the enemy...a potentially capital offense.

I'm not a lawyer, just a barracks type (12 year NCO).