Get Ready: Collect and look over regulations and application paperwork.
Your military branch's Conscientious Objector regulation; the Army regulation is DODD 1300.6: (View - Adobe Acrobat File)
CO Application, Appendix B of AR600-43 (See Above)
Privacy Act Advice: (View | Download)
Statement of Understanding: ( View | Download )
DA Form 3822-R Report of Mental Status Evaluation: ( View | Download)
Write Application: and fill out forms, now would be a great time to start a journal of people you have talked to about on this subject.
Collect Letters of Support: No strict guidelines here, they just need to be as specific as possible from approximately three to five people who know you well enough to know and prove you are sincere in your convictions. Sending a copy/draft of your CO application may be helpful to those you ask. Also, asking someone who worries about your decision, or disagrees that you are making the right choice, yet believe you are sincere in your conscientious objection to war and/or military duty may boost your application as well.
Submit Application: Turn the application in to your platoon sergeant with the additional documents, making sure to get copies of everything and that all the papers are signed and dated.
Interviews: You will conduct a series of interviews with (a) your company commander, (b) the chaplain, (c) a psychiatrist or medical officer and (d) the investigating officer assigned to your case (an O3 or above who is not in your chain of command).
Wait: According to AR 600-43 para2-1(b), your unit must complete all of the interviews and submit your application to HDQA for review within 180 days after you submit your application to them. If the process is being dragged along and has not been submitted in a timely fashion you may file a grievance to your command using this form: 5th para of “decline sign” form in my email.
You can view and download all the forms from our Downloads page. Also for more information and guidance, see our Links page.
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