Captain Griffin is the very first military person I have encountered in over thirty years of Draft Alternative & GI Rights counseling who has publicly addressed the omission issues I raise in my 5/27 letter.

However, still there is a major omission: In his reply Captain Griffin made no comment about the abuses that precipitated the Army Stand Down training, namely false threats and harassment of a Delayed Entry Program member who observed his legal options to not enlist.

I believe truth in recruiting should include a briefing, upon entry, for each member of the Delayed Entry Program about their lawful right to not enlist and the simple no-show and letter-notification steps necessary to terminate participation. (More information:
www.rcnv.org/rcnv/archives/2004/MASTER%20DEP%20Separation.doc )

And be sure of this -- Captain Griffin and his subordinates may deny it, but they are salespeople!

They may be soldier salespeople, but they are salespeople with quotas, extensive training in persuasive techniques, and, with the other branches of the military, billions of dollars in support brochures, films, video games, semi-truck side shows, bonuses, etc. Car salespeople are also car drivers; but on the car lot they are crafty, skilled and salaried salespeople.

My challenge to Captain Griffin and those he commands: The young people targeted for recruitment will NOT HAVE TO ASK for the military enlistment agreement or the information he outlines in his response letter.

If the recruitment effort has any integrity, then from the first contact all of the details he outlines should be clearly stated and each potential recruit provided with a full copy of the enlistment agreement (contract).

The GI Rights and Draft Alternative Program at the Resource Center for Nonviolence does not spin data or statistics to reach our Conclusions. Most of our statistics are derived from the U.S. government, military reports, and recruiting material. Our presentations are always about lawful alternatives to the draft and lawful means to discharge for enlisted military.

Recruiters and military superiors are Selective, never disclosing the whole range of lawful options for enlistment and military service. Even if you want to enlist, enlist smart; get the whole picture -- phone the GI Rights & Draft Alternatives Hotline at 831/359-0202 or click on our web
site, www.rcnv.org/rcnv/co.htm.

Most importantly, this whole recruiting business is not about sales and jobs. The real topic is war!

Massive collateral damage, erosion of global and domestic security, tax dollars, lives and lasting trauma for military members and their families -- is the true purpose of this disasterour war, and the manner in which is it fought, worth the cost of your life, lifetime injury, or the life of someone you love?