Reply #227: Actually he would qualify for classification as a CO ....

[elsur]

your classification as combat or non-combat really has nothing to do with it.

If you're in a combat role and apply for CO classification the military's first choice will be to place you in a non-combat role. For you to refuse a non-combat assignment you have to demonstrate that your beliefs are such that any support of the military would violate those beliefs. Tougher standard but it's been done dozens of times over the last few years. At that point you are discharged and cannot be called back through the inactive reserve.

The reason this guy doesn't qualify is because he doesn't even mention that he's opposed to war. Just that he didn't think we would attack someone who hadn't first attacked us. If he's being honest the young petty officer obviously never read much history.