ONE SOLDIER’S WAR: Soldier from Auburn to refuse Iraq deployment

Matthis Chiroux had it all planned out after he graduated from Auburn High School in 2002.

First, he would join the U.S. Army. Then, he would use his G.I. Bill benefits to enroll in college to pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer. After college, Matthis planned to become a public defender and dabble in politics.

And the 24-year-old Army sergeant’s dream was on track when he was honorably discharged last September. He wasted no time moving to New York City to attend college as a journalism and pre-law major.

But less than six months after relocating, the Army came calling again. This time, they needed him to deploy to Iraq.

On Thursday, Matthis, joined by members of the nonprofit organization Iraq Veterans Against the War, publicly announced in Washington, D.C., his plans to ignore the Army’s orders to report to Iraq on June 15.

In a press conference held in the Cannon House Office Building, Matthis read a statement that said, in part:

“As an Army journalist whose job it was to collect and filter service members’ stories, I heard many stomach-churning testimonies of the horrors and crimes taking place in Iraq. For fear of retaliation from the military, I failed to report these crimes, but never again will I allow fear to silence me. “Never again will I fail to stand. … This occupation is unconstitutional and illegal, and I hereby lawfully refuse to participate, as I will surely be a party to war crimes. …”

According to Department of Defense policy, the Army can recall soldiers for up to four years after their active-duty service. If Matthis refuses to report to duty in June, Nathan Banks, spokesman for the Pentagon, said Matthis could be listed as absent without official leave (AWOL) and could possibly face arrest.

His father, Rob Chiroux, said he is worried about his son’s future if he doesn’t return to the Army. He realizes his son could stand to lose everything he has gained in his military career: college funding, veteran health benefits — even his honorable discharge status.

Rob Chiroux was quick to add, however, that no matter what his son decides on June 15 — to serve again or to fight reactivation into the Army — he stands firmly behind his son’s decision.

“I support my son 100 percent,” Rob Chiroux said. “I would support him if he chose to go back to Iraq, and I’d worry about him every day.”

Following his announcement, Matthis Chiroux said he felt at peace.

“I don’t fear any prosecution,” Matthis Chiroux said. “There may be repercussions, and I’m ready to face them.”

Matthis enlisted in the Army days after graduating from high school. During his five-year enlistment, Matthis served as a journalist in the Army, with tours in Germany, Japan, Afghanistan and the Philippines.

While serving in Afghanistan and Palawan, Philippines, Matthis experienced hostile environments fighting against Islamic insurgents.

After receiving the Army’s orders to deploy to Iraq, Matthis was depressed, confining himself inside his New York apartment, he said. He reflected on his values and his views of the Iraq War.

“There was just no way I could carry a weapon, go to Iraq and not be part of the problem,” Matthis said by telephone Thursday, referring to the Iraq War, which, he said, he has opposed from the start.

Rob Chiroux, a Navy veteran and self-described conservative who voted for George W. Bush twice, said he is having second thoughts about the Iraq War.

“He feels strongly that this is wrong, and I feel strongly that this is wrong,” Rob Chiroux said, regarding the Army’s orders to have his son return to active duty.

Taking a stand against issues was something Rob Chiroux and his son often talked about when Matthis was growing up, especially when the topic turned to politics.

Rob Chiroux would sometimes tell his son, “If you want to change the system, you’re going to have to take a stand.”

Army Policy on Conscientious Objection (From the Department of Defense and complied by BRITTANY WHITLEY)

- Army Regulation 600-43, Conscientious Objection, dated 15 May 1998, defines conscientious objection as a firm, fixed and sincere objection to participation in war in any form or the bearing of arms because of religious training and belief.

- Regulation recognizes two types of “conscientious objector” statuses.

- A 1-0 conscientious objector application is when the soldier is sincerely opposed because of religious or deeply held moral or ethical (not political, philosophical or sociological) beliefs to participating in war in any form.

- A 1-A-0 conscientious objector application is when the soldier is sincerely opposed because of religious or deeply held moral or ethical (not political, philosophical or sociological) beliefs to participating as a combatant (including training in tactics or weapons) in war in any form.

- Soldiers who consider themselves conscientious objectors must submit their claim to a three-person board

- The Department of the Army Conscientious Objector Review Board (CORB) is composed of one officer from the Office of the Chief, Army Chaplains, a second from the Office of the Army Judge Advocate General and the third member is from the Army Special Review Board. The appropriate offices (OTJAG, Chief of Chaplain, and SRB) identify their respective board member.

- The board forms a decision based on the merits of each conscientious objection claim.

- Each soldier’s situation is reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

- As of Sept. 30, 2005, the number of soldiers applying to be classified as conscientious objectors remains small, about 0.01percent of the force of 492,728 active duty soldiers.

- The Army accommodates genuine conscientious objectors, but soldiers serve in an all-volunteer Army.

- New recruits sign a statement indicating they are not a “conscientious objector.”

- Applicants to the Army who were previously conscientious objectors must sign an affidavit stating that they have abandoned their conscientious objector beliefs and principles and that they are willing to bear arms and give full and unqualified service to the United States.

Source: Department of Defense