Ehren Watada

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First Lt. Ehren Watada, 28, an All American Eagle Scout, former Football QB, and son of Bob Watada, the former Hawaii State Campaign Spending Commission executive director, Watada refused to accompany his Stryker brigade combat team, which left for Iraq on June 22, 2006. Watada believes the war and occupation in Iraq are illegal and that participation in the war is also illegal thus he became the first Officer to resist the Iaq War.

Watada, has tried twice, without success, to resign his commission or be allowed to serve in some other combat zone, like Afghanistan. He has said he is not a conscientious objector and intends to defend himself based on the illegality of the Iraq war and occupation.

Watada could face up to five years in jail and a dishonorable discharge if he is convicted at a court-martial for failing to join his 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Regiment. [1]

In a August 25, 2006 Star-Bulletin article, Greg Kakesako reports:

An Army officer has recommended that 1st Lt. Ehren Watada face a general court-martial for failing to join his unit in Iraq.
Lt. Col. Mark Keith, presiding Army officer during a hearing last week in Washington state, also has endorsed two other charges: conduct unbecoming an officer and contempt toward officials.
A Fort Lewis, Wash., spokesman said Keith's decision now goes to Col. Cynthia Murphy, U.S. Army Garrison commander at Fort Lewis, who will review it and then submit her recommendations to Lt. Gen. James Dubik, former commander of the 25th Infantry Division who now heads Fort Lewis and I Corps.
"There is no timetable for action," Fort Lewis spokesman J.C. Mathews said. "It gets considered as long as the chain of command believes is appropriate." [2]

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