Wednesday, June 9, 2010

I GOT THE ARMY STOP LOSSED ME AND STUCK ME IN JAIL BLUES

Imagine you’re a soldier in the United States Army. A stretch, probably, since less than two percent of Americans join the military, but try. You served with a combat unit in Iraq for 14 months, but as you near the end of your active-duty time, you’re becoming increasingly uneasy about carrying a gun. You’re counting the months – less than six – till you’re out, when you learn that you’ll probably be redeployed because the Army is invoking the small print in your contract that allows it to retain you as long as it likes. What do you do?

The vast majority of soldiers suck it up and deploy, figuring that if they don’t go someone else will have to go in their place. Around 3,000 soldiers a year desert. Specialist Marc Hall composed a hardcore rap song titled “Stop lossed,” which ended up at the Pentagon. As a consequence, he spent over four months in jail awaiting court martial for what he considered his right to free expression.