Nine months jail for solder that refused to fight, page 1

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Topic started on 6-3-2010 @ 08:34 AM by Muckster

Jail For Soldier Who Refused To Join Fight

Lance Corporal Joe Glenton went absent without leave (Awol) rather than serve a second tour of duty in the country. He later campaigned against the conflict.

The 27-year-old was jailed for nine months and and had his rank reduced at a military court in Colchester, Essex, after admitting the Awol charge.

Obviously there are going to be different opinions on this... some people will simply think that he is a coward who went AWOL... Others will think he is a hero who stood up for what’s right...

I must admit, i am a man of principle myself, and if asked to do something i considered unethical i would always refuse.

I have lost a job for exactly this reason...

I think that being a real man means staying true to what you believe is honest and just... to deviate from this is just selling out!

I understand that some people will think, "He joined the Army... and as a solder you don’t have the luxury of picking and choosing what wars you feel morally justifies your participation"

But this guy had already done one tour... and it was after doing that tour he decided to quit... I wonder what he witnessed to make him some to this conclusion.

In 2009 he even wrote a letter to Gordon Brown showing his objections to the War...

Its worth reading... Letter To The Prime Minister

If the reason, that he states, is the real reason for quiting... then good luck to him...

reply posted on 6-3-2010 @ 08:53 AM by Kram09

I admire him for standing up for his principles and what he believes in.

I don't think he should have gone to jail personally.

reply posted on 6-3-2010 @ 08:59 AM by AmericanDaughter

This makes me wonder why he joined.
Not to say I'm for fighting and all but if one joins up there is always that chance.
It makes me sad for him but still ...

reply posted on 6-3-2010 @ 09:02 AM by Retrovertigo

Already covered Here the other day

reply posted on 6-3-2010 @ 09:09 AM by Muckster

Originally posted by Retrovertigo
Already covered Here the other day

Oops.. my bad... i did a search but didn’t find anything... mods feel free to delete... sorry!

reply posted on 6-3-2010 @ 09:10 AM by DaddyBare

reply to post by Muckster

Kids lucky they didnt pull a Eddie Slovik on him...

militaries around the world courts-martial have imposed death sentences for offenses such as cowardice, desertion, insubordination, and mutiny.
Of course good ole Eddie was the only one they did that too since the civil war but that law "desertion to avoid hazardous duty" is one of those summary execution orders still on the books... up to nine months is a cake walk compared to what could have been

[edit on 6-3-2010 by DaddyBare]

reply posted on 6-3-2010 @ 09:49 AM by MAB19

Maybe he should of went?,he could of been that guy that stops sum jerk from throwing a puppy off a cliff,or maybe stopping a rape,big ups to thou for stand up for himself

reply posted on 6-3-2010 @ 10:49 AM by oppaperclip

This makes me wonder why he joined.
Not to say I'm for fighting and all but if one joins up there is always that chance.
It makes me sad for him but still ...

Once you've been over their once or twice, you have a choice. You can fight for the illegal war, or you can bury your head in the sand. Most people that join the Army in my opinion think they are going to protect America against threats.

What are they doing over there now? In Iraq we stopped Saddam from switching to the petroeuro, and gave them "democracy" which is doomed to fail. Not because of them but because we make sure that our people are at the top.

In Afghanistan they are destroying small poppy fields and letting the large ones stay because it's a billion dollar a year business.

Who wants to fight for profits?

reply posted on 6-3-2010 @ 11:06 AM by unicorn1

No sympathy from me. He joined up voluntarily. He was not a child. You can't pretend these days that you think it's just about seeing the world and learning a trade. There has been plenty of publicity about the issues. When he joined the army, he was contracting to kill people.
Whether he grew a conscience or simply got cold feet, I guess we won't really know. But you can't create an army out of people having a little dabble then deciding they would rather not do it. I guess examples have to be made.

reply posted on 6-3-2010 @ 01:07 PM by AmericanDaughter

reply to post by oppaperclip

well, looks like his choice was to go AWOL
now he has to face the consequinces of his choice

reply posted on 8-3-2010 @ 10:42 AM by stoner713

Originally posted by AmericanDaughter
reply to post by oppaperclip

well, looks like his choice was to go AWOL
now he has to face the consequinces of his choice

Good point. I feel he should go to jail, without a fuss.

He knew the consequences of going AWOL to stand up for his convictions (newly found or not). It takes courage to stand up, especially when the consequences are hard.

I personally tip my hat to this fella. If more are willing to face the hard realities of standing up for your beliefs, the loss of those things held dear, the more the rest might learn and grow past the chains we accept as a fact of life.

reply posted on 8-3-2010 @ 10:50 AM by tru_blu_dude

I do feel for this soldier. I would rather spend 9 months in jail than one DAY at war. I bet he joined the forces thinking he was fighting for his country. Then probably realized that it was a pointless war, and that he was fighting on the wrong side.
Good for him!