Veterans protesting the war? That's not honorable, military says Nick Juliano

Published: Tuesday June 5, 2007 Print This Email This Military 'pussed out,' says anti-war veteran An anti-war veteran who wore his uniform during a protest of the Iraq war would not receive an honorable discharge from the military reserves under recommendations delivered by a Marine Corps panel Monday night. In a case that former Marine Sgt. Adam Kokesh and his supporters say could become a landmark in defining the free-speech rights, the panel recommended that Kokesh receive a general discharge under honorable conditions from the Individual Ready Reserves. The panel stopped short of recommending the "other than honorable" discharge that Kokesh appeared before the panel to protest. Kokesh said the military recommended the general discharge, which allows him to keep benefits afforded to veterans, in an attempt to make the case disappear. Kokesh and his supporters say that will not happen, and he said he is willing to take the fight all the way to federal court if necessary. "They pussed out and took the easy way out. They could've taken a firm stance one way or the other," Kokesh told RAW STORY Tuesday. "If they really believed in what they believed, (an other-than-honorable discharge) would've been appropriate." The case hinged on military regulations that prohibit active duty troops from wearing their uniforms during political demonstrations. Kokesh argued that he wasn't subject to regulations in the Uniform Code of Military Justice because of his membership in the Individual Ready Reserves, rather than the active duty Marines, and the Marine panel agreed he wasn't subject to those regulations. Members of the military who have served less than eight years have to complete their military commitment in the IRR, which requires they keep in touch with military superiors and be ready to serve if called upon. In March, Kokesh participated in a demonstration in Washington organized by Iraq Veterans Against the War. Wearing his desert fatigues, with his name, rank and the Marine Corps logo removed, Kokesh and other demonstrators performed mock patrols of Washington in an effort to show visitors to the nation's capital what life is like in Iraq. When he was informed in an e-mail from a superior officer of the possible violation of uniform code, Kokesh was offended at what he viewed as an attempt to silent dissent among veterans. He replied to the e-mail and expressed his opinion that the military should have more important things to worry about and signed off with an expletive. Following that exchange, Kokesh was informed that he faced an other than honorable discharge, and he and his supporters chartered a bus for Kansas City to appear before the panel yesterday. The general discharge he received is one step below the honorable discharge Kokesh received when he left active duty.



