War Deserters told to leave Canada..

[thetreble 19]

Desertion is absolutely a crime recognized by the US military to my knowledge, which is a reason why deserters don't want to go back home.

However, I would like to see more facts, Rob & Mel, as to the "force-fed" actions you are talking about. To my knowledge it would be against the law to make someone do anything after their contract has expired. Maybe someone else can weigh in on this as I'm not very knowledgeable on the subject.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Why do people have to sign a contract to be in the Military?

Or rather, why is it so stringent. I mean say you sign a contract to work with NASA for 3 years and you decide you don't want to work there anymore after 2 years. Chances are you and NASA will come to some agreement - I mean they might sue you, but probably not.

With military organizations you are labelled a 'deserter', you can be charged. Also, as mentioned above, they can force you to stay even after you have served your contract.

I was just thinking about this the other night.

I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just pondering.

I agree with a contract!! I spent 15 yrs in the Cdn Military, Army, Navy and Air Force. The military spends $$$ on your training, and you get pretty good benefits, so it is only fair that you have to serve for so long! I remustered to the Air Force (from navy) Then shortly after met my current wife, and I sort of wanted out right away! But they just spent $$$ on training me, so understandingly, they wanted a certain amount of time from me,lol, which i completely understood. So I sucked it up and did the "time" Yes, poor me stuck living in one of the greatest countries on earth,lol. understood their position, it was all very civil,and in the end, my CO let me out a few months early.

I have no sympathies for deserters. They knowingly signed the dotted line. many of these people didn't join to serve their country,they only joined to gain the benefits (education/healthcare) I do feel bad for the people that honored their contract,then have the military extend it, that isn't fair!

And yes the USA military has a certain amount of time after ones contract has expired and one is out to cal you back to service!! During my EMT course 1 of my pales was a former Marine nearing the end of that time period when they could cal him back. I can't recall how long it was, but he was praying he didn't receive a letter or call!!

Edited January 7, 2009 by flames9

[Galateia 1]

This worries me, as my husband is mostly likely going to be working under a 3 year contract as a psychologist for the Air Force. We have been told that if he is 'deployed' it will be for only 3 months out of those 3 years and that he will not be on the 'front' as his job is to deal with the pilots who have PTSD, etc.

How likely is it that the military will pull a fast one and say "Yep, we agreed to 3 years, but guess what! You have to work another 3 years because we decided that's what we want to do"?

If you create a contract for X number of years, it is immoral for the employing body to force you to work longer than those agreed-to number of years.

Can anyone clarify this for me?

[The_Dude 1,142]

Desertion is absolutely a crime recognized by the US military to my knowledge, which is a reason why deserters don't want to go back home.

However, I would like to see more facts, Rob & Mel, as to the "force-fed" actions you are talking about. To my knowledge it would be against the law to make someone do anything after their contract has expired. Maybe someone else can weigh in on this as I'm not very knowledgeable on the subject.

When my brother in laws enlistment was up, he was planning on handing in his resignation, and rebuffed the initial offers for re-enlistment. However, before he could properly resign, he was informed that because of the circumstances and impending war, that he would be needed. He was given a non-negotiable re-enlistment for another term. They did increase the bonus that they give you for re-enlistment substantially. However, at the time he wanted to go home and was prevented from doing that because we were gearing up for the war in Iraq. He is not an officer, so he was not subject to those restrictions.

I completely understand why they make you sign a contract. But I would expect them to abide by the terms and not change the rules at the last minute. My brother in law is now a career marine. He figured after putting 10 years in, he might as well stick it out. With the great benefits package they get, and now being able to transfer your G.I. Bill benefits to your children if you don't use it it's not a bad living.

I do think that deserting your post is a serious matter and should be enforced to the fullest. I do applaud the Canadian government for their actions.

[thetreble 19]

Well then my question is flames...Do they tell you at the time of signing the contract that they can legally extend if they feel like it? If they don't make this known that to me that is WRONG. I'm sure it is at least n the small print which to me is fair.

If I sign a contract and fail to read the small print and then get *ucked, oh well! Same should go for the military as well.

I just think it's silly to sign up for something if you don't believe in what your country is doing, right or wrong.

I also don't think it's Canada's responsibility to take in war deserters. There are people out there who really need our help and we should be spending our resources on them.

Rob and Mel- I think that is a crappy situation with your brother. I don't think it's fair unless they told him they could do that to him.

Edited January 7, 2009 by thetreble

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Well then my question is flames...Do they tell you at the time of signing the contract that they can legally extend if they feel like it? If they don't make this known that to me that is WRONG. I'm sure it is at least n the small print which to me is fair.

If I sign a contract and fail to read the small print and then get *ucked, oh well! Same should go for the military as well.

I just think it's silly to sign up for something if you don't believe in what your country is doing, right or wrong.

I also don't think it's Canada's responsibility to take in war deserters. There are people out there who really need our help and we should be spending our resources on them.

thetreble,

you are awesome.

[thetreble 19]

Well then my question is flames...Do they tell you at the time of signing the contract that they can legally extend if they feel like it? If they don't make this known that to me that is WRONG. I'm sure it is at least n the small print which to me is fair.

If I sign a contract and fail to read the small print and then get *ucked, oh well! Same should go for the military as well.

I just think it's silly to sign up for something if you don't believe in what your country is doing, right or wrong.

I also don't think it's Canada's responsibility to take in war deserters. There are people out there who really need our help and we should be spending our resources on them.

thetreble,

you are awesome.

Duh.

[MrsCat 6]

Well then my question is flames...Do they tell you at the time of signing the contract that they can legally extend if they feel like it? If they don't make this known that to me that is WRONG. I'm sure it is at least n the small print which to me is fair.

If I sign a contract and fail to read the small print and then get *ucked, oh well! Same should go for the military as well.

I just think it's silly to sign up for something if you don't believe in what your country is doing, right or wrong.

I also don't think it's Canada's responsibility to take in war deserters. There are people out there who really need our help and we should be spending our resources on them.

When my husband signed up, he was aware of the stop-loss on his contract with the military. I cannot remember how long it was for, but he knew for a certain # of years that he could get called back into service once he was formally "out". Never happened, but he was aware of it.

Agree with you though - its not Canada's job to take in war deserters from the US. They signed up and knew the possibility when they did sign up.

[thetreble 19]

When my husband signed up, he was aware of the stop-loss on his contract with the military. I cannot remember how long it was for, but he knew for a certain # of years that he could get called back into service once he was formally "out". Never happened, but he was aware of it.

Thank you, Catty. That is all I needed/wanted to know.

[Emancipation 2]

hubby was in the navy.. and when my grandmother met him for the first time her question for him was "could you get drafted?"...

once hubby said.. nope.. too old.. she was visibly relieved.. and she accepted him after that Awe.. I miss my Grandmie..

[MrsCat 6]

hubby was in the navy.. and when my grandmother met him for the first time her question for him was "could you get drafted?"...

once hubby said.. nope.. too old.. she was visibly relieved.. and she accepted him after that Awe.. I miss my Grandmie..

I remember on Chris' b-day a few years ago - he looked at me and said "its official, today I am now too old to be drafted in the US military." He looked sad. I looked happy.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

Well then my question is flames...Do they tell you at the time of signing the contract that they can legally extend if they feel like it? If they don't make this known that to me that is WRONG. I'm sure it is at least n the small print which to me is fair.

If I sign a contract and fail to read the small print and then get *ucked, oh well! Same should go for the military as well.

I just think it's silly to sign up for something if you don't believe in what your country is doing, right or wrong.

I also don't think it's Canada's responsibility to take in war deserters. There are people out there who really need our help and we should be spending our resources on them.

thetreble,

you are awesome.

Duh.

I luvz sister treble

[Flames9_RN 358]

Im not even sure the age the "draft" ends at, some said at the age of 40??? I'm to lazy to look it up at the selective service web page,lol

[trailmix 77]

Im not even sure the age the "draft" ends at, some said at the age of 40??? I'm to lazy to look it up at the selective service web page,lol

male citizens/nationals who are from 18 & less than 26 years of age

[nowhereman 1]

When my husband signed up, he was aware of the stop-loss on his contract with the military. I cannot remember how long it was for, but he knew for a certain # of years that he could get called back into service once he was formally "out". Never happened, but he was aware of it.

Thank you, Catty. That is all I needed/wanted to know.

They can recall service members until age 60... I deployed to Iraq with several people in their mid to late 50's who hadn't worn a uniform in 10+ years. I know for a fact that the only way an officer can be exempted is if he/she resigns their commission (which again must be approved). I'm not sure about enlisted members but most of the individuals in their 50's I just mentioned were enlisted.

I recall when I was in Iraq we watched one of those zombie movies from a few years ago & we joked that the guys replacing us would be zombies!