Free Republic

FORT STEWART, Ga. - An Army mechanic who refused to go to Iraq while he sought conscientious objector status was acquitted of desertion Thursday but found guilty of a lesser charge and sentenced to 15 months behind bars. Sgt. Kevin Benderman, 40, also was given a dishonorable discharge and a reduction in rank to private on the charge of missing movement. If he had been found guilty of desertion, he could have faced five years in prison. Benderman failed to deploy with his 3rd Infantry Division unit in January, 10 days after he told Fort Stewart commanders he was seeking...

Sgt. Kevin Benderman faces a tougher battle in his bid for discharge as a conscientious objector. The Fort Stewart soldier learned Wednesday that the investigating officer considering Benderman's request is recommending against his application. Benderman, 40, is still in the early stages of the process that could lead to his obtaining conscientious objector status. Experts say it could take a year or more. But the negative recommendation now makes Benderman's task more difficult. Benderman said that the investigating officers' packet includes incorrect information and material that has nothing to do with his conscientious objector application. "I'm going to file a...

An Army hearing officer has recommended a court-martial for a soldier charged with desertion after he refused to deploy to Iraq. In a Feb. 16 report just released, Lt. Col. Linda Taylor recommended that Sgt. Kevin Benderman face a general court-martial, the most serious type. The procedure requires approval from Ft. Stewart's General Court-Martial Convening Authority. Benderman, 40, an Army mechanic, refused to accompany his unit Jan. 7 for a second tour in Iraq, 10 days after he gave notice that he was seeking a discharge as a conscientious objector. He said he became opposed to war after serving in...

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Army said Friday it has denied conscientious objector status for a soldier who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour, saying he became morally opposed to war during the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Sgt. Kevin Benderman, 40, filed his objector application Dec. 28, just 10 days before he skipped his unit's deployment flight. The Army mechanic faces a court-martial May 12 on charges of desertion and missing movement. The conscientious-objector denial came Wednesday from the Army's Headquarters Department, Fort Stewart spokesman Lt. Col. Robert Whetstone said. Benderman and his military attorney, Maj. Scott Sikes, did...