Exactly ... and traditionally, non-combat billets, including front-line medical service, were assigned to those with consistent pacifist religious convictions who had been drafted into the military.
A devout Quaker or Mennonite wouldn't engage in fistfighting over girlfriends, either. I wonder if this machito makes a habit of principled nonresistence in his personal life? (/sarcasm)
It appears that an attempt is being made to expand the definition of "conscientious objection" so that it can be used to reject any assignment a service member doesn't like. Bad idea!
"A devout Quaker or Mennonite wouldn't engage in fistfighting over girlfriends, either. I wonder if this machito makes a habit of principled nonresistence in his personal life? (/sarcasm)"
My father was a quaker and, supposedly a pacifist but I know dang well if you took his cigars and tv (for football) away from him you'd pay dearly with a beating....:)
I guess in his case pacifist meant he would pass his fist into your face if you pissed him off enough....:)