Sgt. Kevin Benderman has filed for Conscientious Objector status, and did not deploy with his unit to Iraq. Now, he is officially charged with desertion.
In an exclusive interview, Sgt. Benderman told WSAV News 3 that he is prepared to handle the penalty for his actions.
"I knew this could happen, adverse reaction as a result of this, so I am prepared to face it and deal with it" Benderman said.
Court proceedings are expected to begin soon. Meanwhile, Benderman is on leave for a couple of weeks. He will use the time to seek legal council.
WSAV News will keep you updated.
I have to tell I am so angered by the actions of those who choose to return to fight with their brothers that I well I could spit.
It appears the Benderman is the poster child for the liberal left media. If you do a search you will what I mean. Many articles on the man.
I did take into consideration the source, but, there are several stateside papers picking up this article.
As I think about it, if they choose to run away from service then move them out of our country. Oh this really bothers me.
Benderman needs to face a firing squad, ASAP! I watched buddies buy it on my last tour in Iraq, and I REALLY RESENT THIS!!!
Put 'em in front of firing squads, and bill their families for the bullets.
A Good Conduct medal is given to all service members who haven't really screwed up and served 3 years. This guy is a coward and a leftist scumbag.
Yeah, a very decorated soldier - he's got all those Good Conduct Medals! Maybe I'm being glib, but 22 reservists refusing is pretty small. They don't want to serve? Fine, kick them out, but don't let them upgrade their Admin Discharge to an honorable one.
I have no sympathy for this guy. None.
The longer the adminstration tries to maintain the current deployment levels with the current force levels the more of this you're going to see.
Works for me.
If these are his convictions and he's not going to run away from the consequences, then a few years at Fort Leavenworth will give him time to figure out what kind of impact his dishonorable discharge is will have on the rest of his life.
Yes, even I got a Good Conduct Medal when I was in the army. Basically it means you're still alive and breathing.
Awarded a Good Conduct Medal....oh boy.....everybody gets that(unless you are a real moron)
22 refused??? And how many didn't??? Sounds like a not-worth-talking-about ratio refusing.
Bet me DU or a clone of it had something to do with this.
Bet me a burger!
The oath I took when I joined was "to follow all lawful orders... and to protect...against all enemies foriegn and domestic" I don't recall anything about "if I feel like it". These people should be charged with all applicable laws and sent to prison.
If this had even the most remote whiff of truth to it wouldn't the MSM and the loyal opposition be all over the story?
Does the conscientious objector stoop to falsehood?
The soldiers want to come home, and the Iraqi people clearly want them to leave.
..they outlined the only way to end the violence in Iraq: "Until America leaves Iraq to the Iraqis, and brings its soldiers home, freedom cannot begin to materialize for the Iraqi people."
No Way. 17 years in the Army AND he is only a Sergeant? (E 5) This guy must be a Major F/U. Good Conduct Medals are Nothing to brag about. You have to screw up NOT to receive one. A Coward, Now that's Believable. This whole story has the STENCH of HATE BUSH/OUT OF IRAQ all through it.
Look up where the story originated, the WSAV News 3 web site. THEN look up the Workers World Website. Much has been added, made up and just false.
their Web Site is For:information from occupied iraq ????? ?? ?????? ???????. (Their Words)
Are we sure Dan Rather Isn't still on the beat?
Treason should be treated as such and the penalty is death. No one has the guts to do it anymore. I only hope that we aren't forced to wake up to the fact that this is a war anytime soon. Our forefathers knew that there would be cowards and that they would have to be dealt with to keep from killing the fighting spirit of our soldiers.
My son is in the US Navy and if he pulled such a stunt I would carry out the penalty myself. Not that I have to worry about it, he has a good head on his shoulders and is not a coward.
The problem is that the talking heads are trying to make names for themselves by being against the war. Thay are so childish and self-absorbed that they think by following in the footsteps of those against the Vietnam war that they will make a name for themselves. I would urge them to consult Jane Fonda and the like about that. However this has a detrimental effect on our fighting force as they think the people are against the war and they are doing what is popular. Some people never grow out of their high-school days.
He's already a p*ssy.
And, who has to take their place? I would think that would make for an interesting "news" item.