AWOL Letter in GQ Magazine

My wonderful cousin Katherine recently sent me a package. In that package were some goodies as well as a GQ magazine. There was a very interesting article in that issue. Link To ArticleIt was about a man who had run to Canada to get away from the Army. He was AWOL (Absent With Out Leave). The official definition is: Absent from one's assigned military post or duties without official permission. These are very serious charges. After reading the article thoroughly, I came to a very clear conclusion; the people in this article are simply COWARDS. They ran to Canada because they can’t look their friends and family in the eye anymore. In the article it describes in detail how Joshua Key, his wife and four children made their journey over the border to Canada. It is sad, the detail Josh goes into to ensure his so called escape. He even contemplates jumping into the water near Niagara Falls. As you read further into the story the writer and Joshua introduce you to Jeremy Hinzman and other deserters. They all seem to have the same “poor me” attitude and they all suffer from the most despicable characteristic of all, cowardice. At one time or another everyone needs to face reality and decide what they stand for and what they don’t. Many people decide to do what ever is trendy or what people in the media are doing. I call this convenient morality. To do what is right and take a stand usually requires sacrifice. What I honestly believe is that the people in this article are simply scared. They are scared to not do their job well, they are scared to see the atrocities of war and they are simply scared to die. I can honestly say, I am scared every time I go out side the security of our base, but I am here. We drive down these roads where you can see giant holes where IEDs (improvised explosive devices) have gone off, some of them with marks from burnt Humvee tires and burnt gas or oil. It is my opinion that these deserters have no honor and no commitment to the contract they made when they voluntarily (not drafted) enlisted in the Armed Forces. People try and compare this war to Viet Nam. There is absolutely no comparison.
Many years ago I heard a quote that read, “In war, when the bullets are flying, you don’t fight for a cause or even your country. You fight for the men next to you”. Ultimately, that is why I am here. I am here to take care of MY Marines. Out of all the things I am most proud of, being a “Green Side Corpsman” tops the list. I truly feel sorry for Joshua. I can’t even begin to imagine what he will say to his four children when they learn that Daddy is a deserter. There can be no greater shame. In the article he speaks of the horrible things the Soldiers in his unit were doing. He says that is part of the reason why he went AWOL. What he should have done is man up, show some maturity and talk to a senior enlisted or officer. They would have corrected the wrong doers. He also says that he was duped into "doing the Army’s evil work". Josh, keep lying to yourself. People who lie and are cowards are constantly having to lie to other people and themselves to cope with their life and the decisions they have made.

Over the last several months and even recently we have seen an increase in worldwide terrorism. The Middle East is not the only place we are seeing attacks. We have seen attacks in France, Indonesia, Chechnya, and even England. Do we really want to fight a war on terrorism in the continental US? Personally, I don’t. I would rather take the fight to them.

I am writing all this because I feel ashamed that people like Joshua Key, Jeremy Hinzman, Brandon Hughey, Ivan Brobeck, Darrell Anderson, Clifford Cornell and David Sanders ever were allowed to serve in the United States Military. Our country is in a time of need and these deserters abandoned her when she needed them most. It is my opinion that the people that have gone AWOL / UA during this conflict and ran to other countries, namely Canada, should have their citizenship revoked. That may sound harsh, but that was the choice they made when they voluntarily enlisted in the military, they were given a wealth of benefits that include, pay, housing, VA access, medical and dental. They took advantage of those benefits but were not willing to work for them. That to me is utterly ridiculous.

I am a proud American. I am here to take care of my Marines complete our mission and get back home to my lovely wife.

God Bless America and Semper Fidelis