Eye To Eye: Deserting The Army

[popcorn20995351]

THIS DUDE WAS MY GOOD FRIEND WHILE WE WERE IN THE ARMY. PHIL MCDOWELL IS A GOOD DUDE HE LOVES OUR COUNTRY AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET OUT BEFORE I HAD TO DO ANOTHER TOUR. I WISH HE CAN COME BACK TO AMERICA AND LIVE IN THE COUNTRY HE FOUGHT FOR. GOD BLESS YOU PHIL AND THE SOLDIERS THAT DID THERE TIME. PEACE

[mastermikes23]

soldiers follow orders an thats it

[totoynani143]

people dont realize that this is just political cz there is another way out,just smoke weed and then you dont have to go.But you got to do it b4 deployment,this people just can't take it, 5 of my best friend in service got kick out, cz they grew wings and took flight. Im just glad that i deployed w/ courageous people and made it back.

[gopconservative78]

I bet he was gay

[ryan6219]

he knew what he was getting into when he signed that contract. this guy is not a hero. He knew about stop loss he knew about the multiple deployments. we are at work and for him to join after sept 11th then he knew damn well he would be deployed and if someone things they will be deoplyed just once in a time of war is an idiot and you take a oath saying regardless of personal views of the war you will follow orders, he is a coward

[LightningBoltz]

@ryan6219 A bigger coward lets himself be coerced into doing something he feels as wrong. Takes way more courage to stand up for yourself. The idea that just because something is written on paper makes it an infallable agreement is fucking retarded. It's just paper and words and when it comes down to it, a man has to do what he feels is right, and that takes true courage. And from what I've been seeing as far as the civilians getting killed there are more cowards overseas than here.

[JoshPahr]

It says on the enlistment contract, page one in bold font, you are on reserve for two years after you finish your contract and can be reactivated at any time. I didn't have to find that in print, my recruiter pointed that out and made sure I understood what I was signing before I signed it. You don't just walk in and sign your name and your in the army, the enlistment process can take a month.

[ryan6219]

@JoshPahr exactly he knew what he was getting into when he signed that contract. this guy is not a hero. He knew about stop loss he knew about the multiple deployments. we are at work and for him to join after sept 11th then he knew damn well he would be deployed and if someone things they will be deoplyed just once in a time of war is an idiot and you take a oath saying regardless of personal views of the war you will follow orders, he is a coward

[LightningBoltz]

@JoshPahr Irrelevant. The war is illegal, he saw this and told the army to go fuck itself. As any true American Soldier should do. There is no freedom being fought for over there. You're brainwashed into thinking you're fighting for our freedom. With the removal of the Posse Comitatus Act you are more a threat to my freedom than any terrorist cell ever was. I suggest you seek knowledge outside what the army tells you.

[totoynani143]

@LightningBoltz i suggest that u move out,just like all the true peace loving american should do.cz people like me r more of a treat according to u.

[LightningBoltz]

@totoynani143 Move out? Move out of the country??? Just because our government is corrupt doesn't mean I have to sit around with a smile on my face and uncle sam's dick in my ass or leave. I won't shut up, and I'll keep exposing the corruption to people I know in hopes that word will spread and America will finally get it's balls back and do something about this mess. This whole "Love it er git out," mentality is part of the problem.

[PV2MOTA]

Whether or not YOU think the war is legal or illegal, it's been going on and he signed a contract which obviously he didn't read in depth. What are people's mentalities like these days? Where if you SIGN up for something and then decide you don't want to do it than you're a hero but serving in the armed forces is bad, makes so much sense.

[RiverSolitaire]

@PV2MOTA I'm willing to bet those who desert would do so whether or not they agreed with the war. Perhaps it has more to do with cowardice than political ideology.

[Mjena23]

@RiverSolitaire It depends on the individual person. But whether it's personal or political they have their reasons.

[SteelSkullX]

I didn't desert, I went on an extended vacation, lol.

[KayakCole]

The thing about the military is that they make whatever they want legal or illegal for the Soldiers. If they want them to stay in, they will make it illegal for them to leave. Simple as that. It's ridiculous. The only thing worse than an immoral law is somebody immoral enough to obey it. "Any action that is dictated by fear or by coercion ceases to be moral" - M.K. Gandhi.

[shorty701s]

You are very brave for deserting, Phil. This war is illegal and there is nothing wrong with standing up for what you believe in. I wish you all the best and hopefully this unjust government will one day allow you safe passage back to the states. The time is over for our military keep being disrespectful to people with disagreements as to what war they serve in. Phil, you are a hero!

[NikolaKovski]

@shorty701s Buddy I AM AGREED WITH YOU!!!!

MY RESPECT AND LOVE FOR THEM!! REAL HUMAN BEINGS!!!!!!!

[NikolaKovski]

Respond to this video... WAR IS ILLEGAL AND ALL IS COMING FROM THE FUCKING BRITS! AN AMERICANS ARE POPPETS OF THE MONARCHY!

[lysaght11]

pussy

[foot2arse]

I think it's bs when they recall soldiers after they have completed their contract. The army is like an STD to some people. Find soldiers with a contract in effect or bring in new people. Don't screw people over because you can though.

[RockDivisionRecords]

Wow... I'm so tired of these cowards talking about "standing up for what they believe in". You can't take a stand by running away. Doesn't work that way. The Army has the right to recall a soldier while his contract is still in effect. It's legal! But this guy breaks his contract ILLEGALLY because he feels so strongly that the war in Iraq is illegal? Lol. Stupid.

[ryan6219]

@RockDivisionRecords yeah when your in the military you take that oath saying that regardless of what you believe in your personal views dont matter its what your orders are that matter. You don't question what you are told to do you just do it

[Mjena23]

@ryan6219 And you see nothing wrong with that?

[ryan6219]

@Mjena23 No i dont see anything wrong with that. you join the military knowing what you might be asked to do

[fiend1380]

war is hell poor people killing other poor people so the rich can go to the bank! how did he defend americans by going to war with iraq? The real war is on our own streets, gang violence plagues our nation every day. many die in the u.s. from gun shot wounds. what if soldiers had check points all over the hoods in america. we should do all we can to get rid of gangs in america this would be a true act of heroism!

[Roselleg]

Oh freaking poor you...you had "too many tours" in Iraq..My nephew arrives today from tour two in Iraq...he could have run but never thought about it...Sgt Graves, Jon R, has been in some of the most hell hole parts of Iraq and lived thru it, he has sealed some of his men in zip lock baggies back home and he didn't run, he has gone thru fire fight to fire fight in order to come back home..his dad faught dersert storm, I rolled desert storm, and we all understand cowards don't have a place here.

[ichbindag]

to Roselleg - its not a question of being a coward, the army job is a job, and it doesn't suit everybody, its comparable to studying in one field, and changing your mind, people are not all the same and do not all belong there, and when someone doesnt belong there, its a good thing this person is not there.

[HEYBUDD]

His fight for my freedom started the day he said: "NO"

[Roselleg]

that would be after he signed his name on the dotted army line right"

[totoynani143]

@HEYBUDD u'r free to be dumb.

[James92802]

All solders understand that one of the most courageous acts anyone in the Armed Forces can complete is to tell an Officer, "No Sir, I wil not". If justified, history has honored those with such courage. Many only have the respect of those they fought with, some have been jailed, some later justified. In 1998 three soldiers were awarded with this medal for their intervention in the My Lai Massacre, it took 30 years!

Not one ran to Canada. Just shut the hell up.

[vpbubbies]

there are many Canadians, (Like myself) who want to go to Iraq and do their part. Yet our government doesnt wish us to go there. I'd be more then willing to go in the US army for training, then to Iraq under the name of an American who wishes to reside in canada for the duration of "my/his tour" Once "my/His" tour is over, he can then go back to the usa and me back to Canada, nobody would be the wiser. Thjere are many who would do the same here in Canada.

Any takers?????

thoughts????

[JimB667]

Why don't you go to Afghanistan if you're so willing to do your part

[vpbubbies]

Jim, I wish it was that easy! Ive contacted the Canadian army & was told new recruits stand NO chance at going 2 Afghanistan Bcause the army has more then enough experianced men at their disposal who they'd send 1st instead of a 1st or 2nd, even a 3rd year noob. I even contacted the US Army recruitment in NY State & was told they will not allow me to join unless I already had a "sponsor/green card", (Which I dont have)Ive even sent resumes 2 all privte security Co in Iraq, I still cant get there

[JimB667]

I didn't know that, good luck.

[James92802]

Sorry, your plan will not work so well for the US military, while your intentions may be honorable, we kind of need to know the real I.D. of who we are serving with.

BUT under your own name, I'm sure there is a way in. We have lots of people that are not yet Americans.

[vpbubbies]

then please do tell "How" I've spoken with the recruiting center in NY State, they said "No way! Need a green card first!" to get a green card I need a sponsor, would you care to sponsor me? I'd serve with you,,, honorably! Im not a coward nor a rambo wantabe, just a level headed 38 yr old man that wants to do his part before he dies. I'm so proud of all who serve, it would be nothing but an honor to do the same. True real life heros if you ask me.

[James92802]

Well that 38 yr old thing just did it. I'm not sure what kind of shape you are in, but 38and a Private?

[vpbubbies]

Great shape jim, prior Canadian Olympian, 2 time Canada games athlete,, sure, that was in the 80's, but I'm still tip-top , run 5 K every day, work out every second day and spar 3 times a week for fun AND! work as a contractor, hard pyhsical work. I dont worry about the "image" of being 38 & a private, rank doesnt interest me, actually doing more then just shooting off my mouth interests me. There are enough guys just shooting off thier yaps!

[James92802]

Sorry your age is not in your favor.

Unless you have a skill that they really need you don't have a very good chance.

[vpbubbies]

FYI: I do as much as I can to show my respect, admiration & support. Im a contractor & I do free renovations/home improvements for any & all "active or retired" war vets who are in need of such. They have to buy the materials but I do all the labour for free. Its the least I can do , I just wish OUR Governments would do more!Sometimes I replace litebulbs, other times bath or kitchen renos, I do as they need, providing they're not rich!The rich can afford to hire a carpenter, many vets cant!

[fallout2029]

I don't hold anything against him, besides he only went once.

He had CLEARED from the army. He was on Terminal leave. He was sitting at home on his couch and his chain of command got orders to deploy and decided to fuck him.

They sat in there little office and said "gee what about the guys on terminal leave?"

Brigade Commander: Fuck em

Brigade Sergeant major: Fuck em

Brigade XO:Right Let's not analyze who we NEED to call back, let's just call back everyone.

[laxin0034]

once you sign that paper to enlist they own ur ass no matter if u pu tin your 4 years and a tour

[James92802]

All solders understand that one of the most courageous acts anyone in the Armed Forces can complete is to tell an Officer, "No Sir, I wil not". If justified, history has honored those with such courage. Many only have the respect of those they fought with, some have been jailed, some later justified. In 1998 three soldiers were awarded with this medal for their intervention in the My Lai Massacre, it took 30 years!

Not one ran to Canada. Just shut the hell up.

[James92802]

Once you run to Canada, you need to keep your mouth shut. You may not like the way the war is run, but leaving someone else to serve in your place is cowardly.

If you feel strongly you should face the consequences, only then you have earned a voice.

A dishonorable discharge and some time in jail is not too much, if your convictions are true.

No one wants to hear from people that ran away, everything you will

ever say about the subject is tainted with cowardice.

[SFShooter01]

COWARD!!! He has the right to refuse to finish his service, but he should be a man and take the punishment for going AWOL!! Imprisonment. And not running to Canada and cowaring away!

[Crossfire2009]

Canada you gotta love it!