I have to call BS on that. JW are conscientious objectors and do not serve in the military or take part in what they believe are worldly governments.
Maybe. Or perhaps a more likely explanation might be that these friends were either lapsed or disfellowshipped JWs. [JWs are probably one of the most active cults which disfellowships some of its members. Often, all communication between active JWs and the disfellowshipped JW is suppose to cease]