Conscientious Objectors

Conscientious objectors pose an ethical dilemma for today's Army. Since its establishment in 1863, conscription resulted in the occurrence of unpopular draft riots. Members of pacifist religious organizations were able to obtain conscientious objector status, but they still had to perform alternative service. Other war objectors were put into prison, where several died (Brock 109). Others applied for conscientious objector status after being in the military. Some of these individuals, like Sergeant Alvin York, made huge contributions to the war effort. Others hurt their units and were court-martialed.