>>> Under the Freedom of Information Act, the Navy Personnel Command has sent The Memory Hole statistics on the number of officers and enlisted personnel who have applied to become conscientious objectors (CO) during the past two calendar years. Navy policy states: "Members may be separated on the basis of Conscientious Objection when their religious training and belief have a firm, fixed, and sincere objection of their participation in war in any form, or the bearing of arms."

The response letter, with the statistical table, is reproduced below.

In a nutshell: During 2003, nine enlisted personnel applied for CO status, and five received it. No officers applied. In 2004, nine enlisted personnel applied for CO status, and three received it. One officer applied for, and was granted, CO status.

It should be noted that conscientious objection usually comes into play during a draft. What makes these CO statistics especially interesting is that they apply to an all-volunteer force.

Link: Navy policy on Conscientious Objection

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