US soldier refuses to report for active duty in Iraq

[yogib37 3]

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A month after US army reservist Matthis Chiroux publicly refused to deploy to Iraq, the former sergeant on Sunday set himself up for possible prosecution by failing to report for active duty with his unit in South Carolina.

"Tonight at midnight, I may face further action from the army for refusing to reactivate to participate in the Iraq occupation," Chiroux told reporters in Washington.

"I stand here today in defense of those who have been stripped of their voices in this occupation, the warriors of this nation...", Chiroux read from a statement as his father Rob, who had travelled to Washington from Alabama to support his son on Father's Day, stood beside him.

Last month, Chiroux rejected an order calling him back to active duty in Iraq, saying he considers the war "illegal and unconstitutional."

Chiroux served five years in the army, with tours in Afghanistan, Japan, Germany and the Philippines.

He was honorably discharged last year and was placed in the Individual Ready Reserves (IRR), a pool of former soldiers who can be "reactivated" in a national emergency or war.

Prior to the Iraq war, IRR members were rarely recalled to active duty, according to the Military Times, an independent newspaper for members of the US armed forces and their families.

"Many believed they never would be called -- but when the army found itself stretched by unexpected combat demands in Iraq in the summer of 2004 it began issuing mobilization orders," Military Times wrote in an article published a year ago on Sunday.

According to the paper, hundreds of IRR members "refused to report or simply ignored their mailed mobilization orders."

Matthis' father Rob, a rocket scientist who lives in the army town of Huntsville, Alabama, said mobilizing IRR members was a form of back-door draft.

"If our country is in such a dire emergency that we need to conscript manpower, congress has to vote to reinstate the draft," the elder Chiroux told AFP.

"But they won't do that because if congress said we need to bring back the general draft, the war in Iraq would be resolved very quickly," he said.

"Moms and dads, who represent millions and millions of voters, would say: wait a minute -- you want to draft my kid? Iraq's got to stop."

[mRx 16]

Hoo-rah stop-loss!

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

he'll be a usdb resident. what a dumbarse.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

Chiroux? Isnt that a french name?

[Scott & Lai 12]

Chiroux? Isnt that a french name?

You noticed that, too?

[Ban Hammer 13,334]

Chiroux? Isnt that a french name?

you seeing a connection?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Chiroux? Isnt that a french name?

you seeing a connection?

I think it's time to intern all Americans with more than 1/16th French blood..... they can't be trusted, the cheese eating surrender monkey gene can't be trusted!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Chiroux? Isnt that a french name?

you seeing a connection?

Next chopf#ck in line with asylum petition for Harper to reject.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The guy served for 5 years. Surely he's earned some right to say "I'm done. Enough is enough".

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The guy served for 5 years. Surely he's earned some right to say "I'm done. Enough is enough".

Shut up, Frenchielover!

[Saddle Bronc 124]

And, of course, none notices the French connexion to Canada's QC--where Chiroux may actually try claiming citizenship.

[alienlovechild 75]

The guy served for 5 years. Surely he's earned some right to say "I'm done. Enough is enough".

He hasn't earned the right because he broke a contract he signed in at least the last 8 years. All soldiers are told they signed up for 8 years. A lot serve 4 years and they're out but as part of the IRR they can drag you back in.

Last month, Chiroux rejected an order calling him back to active duty in Iraq, saying he considers the war "illegal and unconstitutional."

More likely he'd just rather stay home but his excuse doesn't matter.

"Many believed they never would be called -- but when the army found itself stretched by unexpected combat demands in Iraq in the summer of 2004 it began issuing mobilization orders," Military Times wrote in an article published a year ago on Sunday.

Should have figured all bets were off on 9/11/01.

According to the paper, hundreds of IRR members "refused to report or simply ignored their mailed mobilization orders."

That's smarter than publicly declaring you'll disobey a lawful order.

"If our country is in such a dire emergency that we need to conscript manpower, congress has to vote to reinstate the draft," the elder Chiroux told AFP.

There's an alternative to a draft. Maybe we should ask where all the men (largely) 18-31 were from 2001-2008. If the WWII generation was called "the greatest generation" what should we call the guys now? "The Missing Generation?" Wonder what that means for the future?

This isn't slam on the men and women currently in uniform or finished their contractual committments. I was outside the U.S. when there was a supposed surge in patriotism after 9/11. I asked people back in the States if they were long lines at the recruiter stations and nobody knew the answer. Lots of flags and not a lot folks in uniform but the same families who are part of the American military chaste.

Edited June 16, 2008 by alienlovechild

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The guy served for 5 years. Surely he's earned some right to say "I'm done. Enough is enough".

He hasn't earned the right because he broke a contract he signed in at least the last 8 years. All soldiers are told they signed up for 8 years. A lot serve 4 years and they're out but as part of the IRR they can drag you back in.

Sure he does... It's his life isn't it?

[alienlovechild 75]

Sure he does... It's his life isn't it?

No, it isn't. Every soldier has a life, too and SGT Candyass isn't special because he did a few tours of duty. So have a lot of others. You can't just walk away because you're tired of it or your family misses you. There are plenty more soldiers who've had it worse than him and managed to make it. Makes me wonder how the other soldiers in his unit feel for taking up his slack as a whiner and publicly hound when no one will ask them about their opinion. Once soldiers decide which lawful orders they want to obey, morale crumbles and it can become a rout if the enemy knows it.

As I said before, there wouldn't be such a strain on the military if some other folks had enlisted. No mention of it by anyone.

Edited June 16, 2008 by alienlovechild

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Sure he does... It's his life isn't it?

No, it isn't. Every soldier has a life, too and SGT Candyass isn't special because he did a few tours of duty. So have a lot of others. You can't just walk away because you're tired of it or your family misses you. There are plenty more soldiers who've had it worse than him and managed to make it. Makes me wonder how the other soldiers in his unit feel for taking up his slack as a whiner and publicly hound when no one will ask them about their opinion. Once soldiers decide which lawful orders they want to obey, morale crumbles and it can become a rout if the enemy knows it.

As I said before, there wouldn't be such a strain on the military if some other folks had enlisted. No mention of it by anyone.

Yes you can. The guy has done it... hasn't he?