SDMCP is very concerned that the military doesn't treat those with PTSD with respect and often fails to provide treatment or benefits that service members deserve and need. We are available to speak with you about your concerns regarding command response to PTSD, regulations regarding mental health services, as well as offering referrals for your legal or mental health needs. If you are seeking discharge, support services, or need more information about dealing with PTSD, give us a call.

For further information on PTSD, click here.

An Appeal for Redress from the War in Iraq

Many active duty, reserve, and guard service members are concerned about the war in Iraq and support the withdrawal of U.S. troops. The Appeal for Redress provides a way in which individual service members can appeal to their Congressional Representative and US Senators to urge an end to the U.S. military occupation. The Appeal messages will be delivered to members of Congress at the time of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January 2007.

The wording of the Appeal for Redress is short and simple. It is patriotic and respectful in tone.

As a patriotic American proud to serve the nation in uniform, I respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to support the prompt withdrawal of all American military forces and bases from Iraq . Staying in Iraq will not work and is not worth the price. It is time for U.S. troops to come home.

To sign this petition, click on www.appealforredress.org

Thousands of troops say they won’t fight

By Ana Radelat
Gannett News Service

Swept up by a wave of patriotism after the U.S. invasion of Iraq, Chris Magaoay joined the Marine Corps in November 2004.

The newly married Magaoay thought a military career would allow him to continue his college education, help his country and set his life on the right path.

Less than two years later, Magaoay became one of thousands of military deserters who have chosen a lifetime of exile or possible court-martial rather than fight in Iraq or Afghanistan.

“It wasn’t something I did on the spur of the moment,” said Magaoay, a native of Maui, Hawaii. “It took me a long time to realize what was going on. The war is illegal.”

Magaoay said his disillusionment with the military began in boot camp in Twentynine Palms, Calif., where a superior officer joked about killing and mistreating Iraqis. When his unit was deployed to Iraq in March, Magaoay and his wife drove to Canada, joining a small group of deserters who are trying to win permission from the Canadian government to stay.

What is Conscientious Objection?

Military regulations allow for discharge or transfer to non-combatant status for people who object to participate to war in any form. This is referred to as conscientious objection (CO).

There are several constraints for CO's. You must object to war on moral or religious grounds.You have to be against all war. You have to be sincere. This may sound simple enough, but deciding whether or not you are a CO and applying for CO status can be very hard...

The following guide is available to help you.

Read the guide Advice for Conscientious objectors on-line.

Read the guide Advice for Conscientious Objectors in pdf.

reprinted from CCCO

older articles...

To find out more about how to get involved, please email to info@sdmcp.org or call (619) 280-3586.

SDMCP has been awarded several grants to cover our expenses. We would like to recognize the following foundation for their generous support.

Agape Foundation, Agape (pronounced “ a ga pe ”) is a Greek word meaning “unselfish love of one person for another

AJ Muste Foundation,  “There is no way to peace — peace is the way”

Foundation for Change

Resist, Inc, A Call To Resist Illegitimate Authority