It's been reported that in World War II, only 25% of U.S. soldiers who were in combat—under fire, with their own lives at risk, not those stationed far from the front—actually fired their weapons at the enemy. (Some of us have heard that that figure was actually down as low as 10%, probably depending upon the unit involved.) Ground force training since that time has emphasized not the slow, measured shot placement method, but virtually automatic firing responses to a potentially threatening situation. While this methodology has greatly increased active participation in weapon firing, it can also result in battlefield errors that can result in civilian casualties, traumatize the shooter and even lead to formal prosecution (notwithstanding the potential of those that have no compunction toward killing another).

Before you join - Recruiter Abuse:
If you feel that you are being misled or pressured by a recruiter, you can get in touch with us on our About Us page, call the GI Rights Hotline or contact a GI Rights Network branch. If your recruiter is abusing you physically or sexually, or breaking the law in any way, call the police. If you want to help the Recruiter Abuse Hotline track recruiter abuse, call 877-688-6881 at the American Friends Service Committee. Additional information is at, http://www.afsc.org/Youth&Militarism/ht/display/ContentDetails/i/18282.

Reporting Recruiter Misconduct, via "the channels"...
So, what do you do if you run into an unethical recruiter? All military commands have senior officers who's job it is to investigate wrong-doings, and the recruiting commands are no exception. If you report it to one of these officers, it is supposed to be investigated. While it often comes down to your word against the recruiter's, if a particular recruiter gets enough complaints against him/her, you can bet his/her bosses may start watching that recruiter a little more closely, although that most likely won't change your particular situation, unless the recruiter has broken the law in some way.

• Air Force. Inspector General, Air Force Recruiting Service, HQ AFRS/CVI, Randolph AFB, TX 78150
• Army. Inspector General, U.S. Army Recruiting, USAREC, Fort Knox, KY 40121
• Navy. Inspector General, COMNAVCRUITCOM Code 001, 5722 Integrity Dr, Bldg 768, Millington, TN 38054
• Marine Corps (East Coast). Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), Parris Island, SC 29905
• Marine Corps (West Coast). Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD), San Diego, CA 92140

The National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP), is an independent, nonprofit, veterans service organization dedicated to ensuring that the U.S. government honors its commitment to our veterans by providing them the federal benefits they have earned through their service to our country. NVLSP accomplishes its mission by:
· Providing veterans organizations, service officers and attorneys with training and educational publications to enable them to help veterans and their dependents obtain all of the benefits that they deserve;
· Representing veterans and their dependents who are seeking benefits before the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and in court.

Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors (CCCO) supports and promotes individual and collective resistance to war and preparations for war. CCCO offers extensive information, including the basics for applying for CO status.

Soldier, Say No is the website of Right to Resist, a network of former soldiers and war resisters working to support the war resisters of today. Soldier, Say No provides counseling resources for military personnel considering their options, information on international law and laws of war, testimony from Iraq war veterans, and more.

G.I. Rights/GI Rights Hotline is a network of nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations; it provides information to service members about military discharges, grievance and complaint procedures, and other civil rights. One page, discharges, contains a detailed cross-index of various discharge requirements. There is also a hotline, 877-447-4487, 800-394-9544, 215-563-4620 for personalized assistance.

The Military Law Task Force, is a national committee of the National Lawyers Guild (NLG). It includes challenges to continued deployments and extended tours of duty. It provides assistance with discharges and GI Rights, discharge upgrades, conscientious objector claims, counter-recruitment, registration, draft and enlistment counseling, AWOL/UA, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, veterans rights, HIV discrimination, courts-martial, Nuremberg defenses, freedom of speech and communication, contract disagreements, and medical issues. The Military Law Task Force monitors military policies and practice, and creates programs to counter unnecessary and unjust wars and the militarization of civilian communities. (415) 566-3732, (619) 233-1701

At Peace-Out - Veterans provide guidance to individuals within the military that are considering the conscientious-objector option.

Courage to Resist is a group of concerned community members, veterans and military families that supports military objectors to illegal war and occupation and the policies of empire. Our People Power strategy weakens the pillars that maintain war and occupation in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere by supporting GI resistance, counter-recruitment and draft resistance, which cuts off the supply of troops. We are autonomous from and independent of any political organization, party or group.

The Wounded Warrior Call Center is a hotline for injured, wounded, or ill (former and current) Marines, sailors supporting Marine units, and their family members. They offer information, resources, and advocacy for men and women suffering from physical or psychological wounds. 1-877-487-6299