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Mission Rejected

U.S. Soldiers Who Say No to Iraq

by Peter Laufer

Foreword by Norman Solomon

For Book Groups

Discussion Questions

1. Laufer writes that the scenarios described by the soldiers he interviews "cannot be fact-checked with traditional tools." But he claims an "overriding truth" is evident in the stories. Why is he confident that the stories exhibit an overriding truth?


2. Why is Laufer so concerned about the terminology used to describe those who are fighting Americans in Iraq? Is his choice of the word "enemy" appropriate? If not, what word or term would you choose to use?


3. Joshua Key deserted to Canada after a successfully completing full tour of duty in Iraq in order to avoid a second Iraq assignment. Ryan Johnson deserted to Canada in order to avoid being sent to Iraq in the first place. Is there a difference between the two ex-soldiers' actions? Would you characterize Joshua as having a moral authority to desert because of his experience that Ryan lacks?


4. Joshua Key claims that he faced a decision: flipping hamburgers at McDonalds or joining the Army. Do you feel that it was really an either or situation for him or could he have avoided Iraq and deserting with a more thoughtful and complete job search?


5. Dr. Marion Eakin tells Laufer that soldiers are avoiding treatment for Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome because they fear such care will negatively affect their military careers. Do you have concerns about the hundreds of thousands of soldiers returning from Iraq into your and other American communities? What are those worries?


6. Abdul Henderson tells of the response from Vietnam War veterans when he says he's angry: "Man, it's been thirty-five years and I'm still angry." How do you think service in the Iraq War will affect the current generation, both those who fight in the war and those who choose to stay home? Do you think there will be a communication problem between those who experience the war and those who do not?


7. Laufer quotes a Vietnam War veteran who pleads that soldiers in the next American war are welcomed home. Is it possible to oppose the war and support the troops? If so, how?


8. Jeremy Hinzman says he deserted to Canada because he was told during Army training to disobey illegal orders. How can a soldier determine what order is legal and what order is illegal? Do you make such moral decisions in your life that result in you violating civil laws or company policies?


9. If a man or woman signs a contract to join the Army, should he or she have the right to refuse to fight in a war he or she believes in not a "just war?"


10. Ryan Johnson's mother tells Laufer that Ryan should not have deserted to Canada, but merely become obese in order to provoke the Army into discharging him as unfit for duty? What is the moral difference between those actions?


11. Ryan Johnson's mother tells Laufer she questions Ryan's claim that he is morally opposed to the war, she thinks he is simply trying to avoid service in Iraq to protect his own life. Does Laufer jeopardize Ryan's case to refugee status in Canada by reporting her thoughts? If so, should he have self-censored them out of his book?


12. How do you perceive the difference between those American draft dodgers and deserters who chose Canada during the Vietnam War and those Americans who are fleeing north to avoid service in Iraq? Should the fact that these soldiers are all volunteers in an all-volunteer Army affect their status?


13. If the U.S. government promises a soldier certain benefits if that American joins the Army and fulfills their contracted duty, is it reasonable for the U.S. to withhold benefits if that soldiers violates Army rules and regulations?


14. Brandon Hughey's father changed his political outlook once his son deserted to Canada. Why is it that people may act differently if their own kin is involved in an issue that they feel strongly about? What is the lesson here, should there be a universal draft so that all Americans have a stake in armed intervention by U.S. forces because their relatives will be subject to front line duty?


15. Clara Gomez was underage when a U.S. Army recruiter came to her parent's home and insisted they sign a consent form in English for her to join the Army. They do not read English. Is this immoral behavior on the part of the recruiter?


16. Recruiter Cody Wenner suggests he is personally opposed to the Iraq War but continues to seek candidates for soldiers who will be sent to fight there? Is this immoral behavior on the part of the recruiter? Could you do such a job?


17. Laufer protects Daniel's last name from public disclosure because he is seeking a reversal of the Veterans Administration decision to deny him benefits to treat his PTSD. Does masking Daniel's true identity affect the credibility of his story in your eyes?


18. Garrett Reppenhagen claims he chose to be a sniper because he was convinced he would do a better job than less moral soldiers in differentiating between those Iraqis who should be shot at and those who should be left alone. Do you believe his was a wise choice? Could he save some lives because he perceives himself to be better informed than other soldiers and more discerning? Is there a place in the military for soldiers who oppose the war and can influence policy and practice by staying in the service?


19. Robert Zabala was offended that during Marine basic training he was instructed to yell, "Kill, kill," when performing exercises. Was he naive to consider such language inappropriate? Isn't the Marines a force designed to be a killing machine, and if it is, shouldn't the recruits be trained to think about their ultimate role at all times?


20. Steve Morse joined the Army during the Vietnam War after he applied for and received conscientious objector status. He said he felt that he could so productive anti-war work from within the armed services. Is this an ultimate sacrifice, ego-boosting grandstanding, or foolish?


21. Laufer identifies himself as a Vietnam War resister. Does that affect his credibility as a journalist covering the soldiers profiled in Mission Rejected?