It Ain't Voluntary if You Can't Leave
Many years ago, I volunteered at a local children's hospital where I live. I didn't have a job and felt this would be a good way to give back to the community. A little while after that, I decided it wasn't a good fit for me and quit. I was young and immature and not all that fond of interpersonal conflict, so I just stopped showing up for my shift.
After a few weeks of unreturned calls, the hospital got the idea. Was it the right thing to do? Hell no, I am terribly embarrassed by how I acted. I left people who depended on me in the lurch. I deserted. I went AWOL. I quit my post without leave and with no intent of returning. I remained away with the intention of remaining away. I quit to shirk important service.
Even if I gave the hospital proper notice, even if it wasn't during a time of war, I would still be guilty of all of the above. And what recourse does the hospital have?
Any person found guilty of desertion or attempt to desert shall be punished, if the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct, but if the desertion or attempt to desert occurs at any other time, by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial may direct. 1
Nope, the hospital just had to suck it up and find another volunteer. Because that's what the definition of volunteer means. That you can come and go at your choice.
However, there is another definition of "volunteer" reserved for the military:
A person who enters the service voluntarily rather than through conscription or draft, esp. for special or temporary service rather than as a member of the regular or permanent army.
Yet, no where in here does it say that the US government has the right to punish -- to the death or even just a little -- a person who chooses to stop volunteering.
If you are in the military and have questions about your service, or if you know someone who does, please contact the GI Rights Hotline and learn about your options.
~Lila Schow
Because Responsible Citizens Clean Up After Their Government
http://goodusgov.org/
After a few weeks of unreturned calls, the hospital got the idea. Was it the right thing to do? Hell no, I am terribly embarrassed by how I acted. I left people who depended on me in the lurch. I deserted. I went AWOL. I quit my post without leave and with no intent of returning. I remained away with the intention of remaining away. I quit to shirk important service.
Even if I gave the hospital proper notice, even if it wasn't during a time of war, I would still be guilty of all of the above. And what recourse does the hospital have?
Any person found guilty of desertion or attempt to desert shall be punished, if the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct, but if the desertion or attempt to desert occurs at any other time, by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial may direct. 1
Nope, the hospital just had to suck it up and find another volunteer. Because that's what the definition of volunteer means. That you can come and go at your choice.
However, there is another definition of "volunteer" reserved for the military:
A person who enters the service voluntarily rather than through conscription or draft, esp. for special or temporary service rather than as a member of the regular or permanent army.
Yet, no where in here does it say that the US government has the right to punish -- to the death or even just a little -- a person who chooses to stop volunteering.
If you are in the military and have questions about your service, or if you know someone who does, please contact the GI Rights Hotline and learn about your options.
~Lila Schow
Because Responsible Citizens Clean Up After Their Government
http://goodusgov.org/
posted by Lila Schow at
1:46 PM
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