I was supposed to be released from the IRR on 1 Dec 1990, but there was a "stop loss" order on the IRR, because of the first Gulf War. The Army bureaucracy then took a while to recognize that they should let me out; I was discharged from the IRR two years later than my contract had specified.

The Army recalled thousands of soldiers on IRR status during the first Gulf War, and is currently doing the same because of the manpower shortages in certain specialties.

I had heard reports of older officers being recalled recently on the news. Of course that concerned me a little, so I thought I should investigate my status. I called the GI Rights hotline in California at (800) 394-9544 for advice. They said as long as I had resigned my IRR commission, I could not be recalled.

I was certain that I had resigned my Regular Army commission, because that is the best way to get off active duty, but I wanted to be sure I had actually resigned my IRR commission, rather than just letting them discharge me. (I learned a long time ago that there are a ton of small details that one must be wary of when dealing with the US Army.)

I found my handwritten resignation letter, and I wanted to share it with you so you might have an idea where I stand on the issue of war:

23 July 91

I, 1LT (First Lieutenant) Joey B King SSN# -------, wish to resign my commission in the Individual Ready Reserve as soon as possible. My 6-year obligation ended 1 Dec 90, however, I was unable to resign at that time due to the Iraq War.

I am resigning because of a personal conviction that war is an unacceptable means of resolving differences among nations.

Joey B. King

First Lieutenant Infantry

The last sentence is perhaps the most significant thing I have ever written pertaining to war. Now the Army has it on record that I have a personal conviction against war; I would assume I am listed as a Conscientious Objector (CO) on some computer file. In addition, I have written many anti-war pieces in the last 13 years, and been pro-active in the anti-war movement locally. I told the Army to stick war up their ass, and I will tell them again, if they are foolish enough to ask me!

War is an unacceptable means of resolving differences, for several reasons. The awesome destructiveness of 10,600 US nukes we have amassed in a mere 60 years could destroy the world many times over. There is no easy way to dismantle them, even if we wanted to. The fact that none of the "thought leaders" in the 1940’s were able to plan for the eventuality, that terrorists might acquire small nukes and use them against us highlights the fact that technology is both our friend and enemy.

A "good" war is an oxymoron. Modern warfare has degenerated into a series of "holy" wars, with "martyrs" and child soldiers. Every religion should condemn this activity; however, the mere fact that religions exist often divides the human race further and causes more war.

I recently went to Atlanta for a brief overnight stay on my way to Salt Lake City. I roomed at the Holiday Inn Select, near the airport. While waiting for the shuttle early the next morning, I observed a group of about 25 young people on their way to Army basic training. The group was mostly white male hip-hoppers, with a few minority and women recruits sprinkled in. Obviously, they joined the Army for a variety of reasons, but it probably had something to with job opportunities after the military and/or tuition money for school.

My heart went out to each of them. If I could have only spoken with them for 5 minutes before they signed the enlistment contract. I have been in their shoes. In my case, a potential war with Iran during the hostage crises caused me to join. (ROTC - the Reserve Officers' Training Corps - is no less a recruiting scam for the warmongers.)

Even the idea that we must go to college is a sham, a left over relic of Cold War when the USSR was supposed to take us over because they launched Sputnik in 1957. This mindset causes working class kids to risk life and limb just to get an education. Insecurity and greed are root causes of war, and those kids in Atlanta are the result of a society filled with those two emotions.

That brings me to the ultimate question: what can we do? As I see it, humankind is at a crossroads. Religion and politics have failed. Corporatism, imperialism, nationalism, communism and a whole smorgasbord of "isms" have separated us rather than united us. Modernization has failed to reduce violence in the human race.

In reality, "we" can do nothing; only "I" can do anything. Humanity comprises 6.5 billion "I’s" -- most are responsible for war to one degree or another.

I may influence others with my actions, but I control only one person…me! Stopping war begins with changing "me." A starting point for changing "me" was to decrease violence, greed and insecurity. Does driving a car make me greedy? Does making enough income so that I must pay taxes into the war machine of government make me greedy and insecure? I am sad to say that it does. These are things that I control and must improve upon. Getting the mind in a quiet state so that I may achieve personal liberation is something I do every day to help eliminate violence from my personal life. A quiet walk, meditation and Yoga are non-violent activities I recommend.

In my letter to the Army I wrote that, "I am resigning because of a personal conviction that war is an unacceptable means of resolving differences among nations." That is not enough. The mere concept of a "nation" is a dividing principle that, like religion, leads to war. The US fought Mexico for control what is now most of the Western US. Now college kids go to Cancun for spring break. I predict that soon annexation/dual citizenship similar to the European Union will come with Mexico and Canada. It will prove to be the only way to keep the economy afloat. Does that mean that the soldiers and civilians in the 1830’s participated in a useless war? Of course it does.

The Zero Aggression Principle (ZAP) advocated by so many Libertarians is enough, only if we extend it beyond the human race. Call it ZAP+ if you will. The goal of ZAP+ is the elimination of violence from every aspect of our individual lives as much as possible. If we don’t extend ZAP beyond the human race, that would leave us free to commit violent acts on the essential elements of life. ZAP+ should apply to all things living and things that support life like land, water and air.

My girlfriend asked me today if I was proud of my military service. Much to her surprise I told her no. In fact, I am ashamed. I met some lifelong friends in ROTC; for that, I am thankful. Yet, I am ashamed of the fool I was to believe the perpetuators of the war machine. Ashamed to know that as an Airborne Ranger, I had the capacity within me to violently kill another human being just because someone in authority told me to. Worse yet, as an officer, I could legally tell others to do the same. Thank goodness I never saw the awful carnage of war.

Everyday I see a photo of some young person killed or mangled by war, I die a little. I see no other greater social issue for my generation to solve than war. As we note the second anniversary of the Iraqi invasion, I hope these few words give you hope for changing yourself as the first step in changing the world.

Editor's Note: To help current US soldiers resist the war, you can get involved in the War Resisters Support Campaign. For those who refuse to fight, we salute you.