Thank you to the Center on Conscience and War for assisting people who can no longer serve in the military, for reasons of conscience. Let’s also honour whistleblowers, such as Daniel Hale, who exposed wrongs of the US’ drone program, in which he had participated.

The Center on Conscience & War highlights this day: “War happens all over the world. But the United States is at the center of global military power. With the biggest and most expansive military in the history of the planet, peace in the world rests so much on the Pentagon.

Within that reality, something is changing. From lower enlisted to field grade officers; infantry to fighter pilots; new recruits to long careers; our CO clients span all branches of the military in all parts of the country. 

The vast majority are new. People who took the bold steps to declare themselves COs in the midst of a new war, showing that even with an all-volunteer force. Hundreds more young people have signed up to register as COs with the Selective Service Registration.

The current rate of new COs even exceeds that of the entire War On Terror, demonstrating that a generational shift towards peace and nonviolence is unfolding. We must not only help those who have taken these steps, but foster the growth of the phenomenon. We are committed to both.