SEATTLE (Reuters) - The U.S. Army filed three charges on Wednesday against an officer who refused to fight in Iraq due to objections over the legality of the war.
First Lt. Ehren Watada, who supporters say is the first commissioned U.S. officer to publicly refuse to serve in Iraq and face a military court, remained at Fort Lewis base in Washington state when his unit shipped out to Iraq on June 22.
Watada called the war and U.S. occupation of Iraq "illegal" and said participation would make him a party to war crimes.
In a statement, the Army said it had charged Watada, 28, with missing movement, contempt toward officials and conduct unbecoming an officer.
"Officers are held to a high moral and legal standard. Acts contrary to this standard may be tried by court-martial," said the Army statement.
If found guilty of all charges, Watada could face several years in confinement, dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of pay, according to the Army. The missing movement charge carries the heaviest punishment of confinement of up to two years.
What is especially bizarre in all this is that Watada actually joined the military after the invasion of Iraq, and he joined the infrantry no less. This guy had to know that he was pretty much going to Iraq. So why did he even bother to join up?
One almost has to wonder if he didn't join up for the express purpose of refusing to go to Iraq in protest. That's a little hard to believe seeing as how he will almost certainly be found guilty and sent to do hard labor at Leavenworth, but his actions just don't make any sense otherwise.
What is especially sad is that while battle-hardened veterans of the war in Iraq re-enlist en masse for multiple tours of duty (a trend largely ignored by the media) Mr. Watada and his "stand" against this "illegal war" will no doubt be making headlines for months.
What we need to remember is this: Most soldiers support our foreign policy in Iraq. The majority of troops voted for President Bush in 2004, which was an election dominated by the issue of Iraq.
Lt. Watada and his actions are not representative of the average soldier, yet I have little doubt that many on the left and in the media will try to spin Watada's actions as being something most soldiers secretly want to do.
And that's something of a slap in the face for all our troops who believe in our mission in Iraq and are completing their service honorably.