San Francisco war objector fighting court-martial

SFGate.com ^ | 8/8/03 | Brett Martel

[LibWhacker]

A Marine reservist facing a court-martial says he's being prosecuted for criticizing the military at anti-war rallies and for publicizing his application for conscientious objector status at a news conference.

The Marines argue they pursued charges against Lance Cpl. Stephen Funk because he skipped out on 47 days of training in defiance of orders by his commander.

[LibWhacker]

Given it's out of San Francisco, I'm kind of surprised it didn't say something about the continuing problem of discrimination and bigotry in the military.

[montomike]

Maybe he was having hot flashes about taking long, soapy showers with all the hot marines!

[Freedom4US]

A Marine recruiter gave him the impression that joining the service would help him develop discipline and leadership skills.

Notice the weenie who penned the article has to go through contortions and parse every sentence. The Marine Corps WILL instill discipline and develop leadership skills. Further, everyone and anyone joining the military signs an affidavit before swearing in stating that they are NOT a conscientious objector, so the question is moot. The guy's toast. The article is so full of mis-truths and outright falsehoods it's ridiculous.

[JeeperFreeper]

Amen to your last post. This little coward simply embarrasses nearly everybody, including gays. He's really just a worthless blob of protoplasm enjoying his 15 minutes of fame as a world class loser. Our Marine Corps will stand as strong dedicated warriors for years after this p.o.s. oozes off into his sewer.

[LibWhacker]

Firstly, they were assigned to regular duties, overseas (Germany).

So that's why so many of them ended up in MY unit, lol! We actually had one guy in my unit in Germany who was convinced they would discharge him if he announced he was gay. The buck private was still fighting with them two years later when I rotated out, lol. Still don't know whatever became of him and his case. And don't care.

[LibWhacker]

Just doesn't ring true, does it? We all knew pretty much what we were getting into when we joined or were drafted into the military. It's real hard to have much sympathy for someone who claims he had no idea.

[Movemout]

When it hits 30 days, it's "desertion," and they DO get court-martialed for that.

You're almost right. When a unit is under orders to deploy the thirty day requirement is no longer required. You are a deserter the day after you were ordered to report and failed to do so.

[Poohbah]

Correct. But this guy met the 30-day standard, too.

[ActionNewsBill]

When it hits 30 days, it's "desertion," and they DO get court-martialed for that.

You're right. I thought simple AWOL was usually anything less than 30 days, usually handled with non-judicial punishment (Article 15.) I got one for being 4 hours late to work at Westover AFB, MA in 72, I think it was.

I suppose that since this comes from SF Gate.com, we can assume that the writer may be leaving out some of the facts to portray this loser as a "victim".

[Movemout]

Hell, I don't care.

A Marine can apply for CO status but he is still a marine first and subject to the UCMJ. I remember more than one US Army medic who was a CO but felt comfortable with doing his duty. I think there was even one who received a Medal of Honor. There is a way to do things right and then there are weenies who whine and get a lawyer. I hope he enjoys a long stay in a small confined space under the watchful eyes of armed guards.

[Centurion2000]

There are 23 Marine reservists currently seeking conscientious objector status, which soldiers may do if they can prove that during their service they developed deep opposition to all wars.

Let's call a spade a spade .... cowardice is not morality.

[FreedomPoster]

I want a large scale image of the Karl Marx with Mickey Mouse ears that's on his site, to make into a t-shirt.

http://www.thedissidentfrogman.com/dacha/index.html

[truth_seeker]

"So that's why so many of them ended up in MY unit, lol! We actually had one guy in my unit in Germany who was convinced they would discharge him if he announced he was gay. The buck private was still fighting with them two years later when I rotated out, lol. Still don't know whatever became of him and his case. And don't care."

On guy was a two year draftee, claiming he had flashbacks from acid trips. He DID get out, and I attribute his exit to some fine acting. He wasn't a management problem.

A second was a highly educated fellow who enlisted, made claim of CO status, and then while waiting, wrote a long paper about changing his mind.

Yet another was a Captain, no less. I'm pretty certain this guy was just funnin' with them'.

My point: Each soldier was expected to be at his assigned duty station, while his claim was processed.

This young, gay marine wasn't playing by the rules. He could be deployed to Iraq theatre, behind the lines.

One place for COs was as Chaplain's Assistants, for example.
Getting CO status wasn't a ticket out of the military.

And it surely wasn't justification for failing to follow unit deployments, or other orders.

[Snickersnee]

Yea and verily, I had rather be an EOD specialist with a bad case of the shakes than be a Marine recruiter in the SF Bay area!

[george wythe]

If Funk has stated publicly that he's gay, then he should be dismissed pronto according to the military policy of don't ask, don't tell.

Why is he being allowed to drag the process and become a cause celebre in the commie community?

[FlatLandBeer]

What's this guy think? It's the Marine Corps not Boy Scouts.

[YankeeinOkieville]

Found a picture of said marine:

[genefromjersey]

Guess he'll be fairly popular in the brig.

[LibWhacker]

. . . than be a Marine recruiter in the SF Bay area!

It must be some kind of non-judicial punishment to be given that assignment. The poor guys must walk around all day saying, "What did I do to deserve this?"

[LibWhacker]

Yep, it goes back to personal responsibility . . . If you join the Marines, you suck it up and do your best. I never was very impressed with guys who got a conscience when the going got tough.