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Soldier Refuses To Return To Iraq
Matthis Chiroux is facing a hearing to determine whether or not he will be dishonorably discharged from the Army. He recently refused to deploy to Iraq. What do you think of this story? Is Chiroux right or should he be dishonorably discharged?
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- -
An Army sergeant who had refused deployment to Iraq said a board recommended he receive a "general discharge under honorable conditions." Matthis Chiroux, now of Brooklyn, N.Y., but originally from Auburn, Ala., had an administrative hearing Tuesday in suburban St. Louis. The 25-year-old reservist has been in the military since 2002, but believes the war in Iraq is wrong and that U.S. authority there is illegitimate. He says his lawyer considers the hearing's outcome a victory.
Army Lt. Col. Maria Quon said she couldn't release the board's recommendation due to privacy rules. However, she said its findings are not the final word. That decision rests with Maj. Gen. Sean Byrne, who oversees the Army's Human Resources Command. She said it could take weeks for that determination.
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Chiroux, 25, refused deployment to Iraq last year faced a military hearing on Tuesday. He was not facing a court-martial, but the hearing at the Army Human Resources Command in St. Louis was to determine whether he should get an honorable discharge from the military. Quon said early Monday that a dishonorable discharge was not being considered, but Chiroux could get a general discharge or an other-than-honorable discharge, either of which could result in fewer benefits after he leaves the military.
Anti-war protesters held a rally in support of Chiroux outside the hearing, which was not open to the public.
Chiroux is an Individual Ready Reservist who was informed last year he was being sent to Iraq. He refused to report.
Army Lt. Col. Maria Quon said she couldn't release the board's recommendation due to privacy rules. However, she said its findings are not the final word. That decision rests with Maj. Gen. Sean Byrne, who oversees the Army's Human Resources Command. She said it could take weeks for that determination.
JOIN THE DISCUSSION ON OUR BLOGS
Chiroux, 25, refused deployment to Iraq last year faced a military hearing on Tuesday. He was not facing a court-martial, but the hearing at the Army Human Resources Command in St. Louis was to determine whether he should get an honorable discharge from the military. Quon said early Monday that a dishonorable discharge was not being considered, but Chiroux could get a general discharge or an other-than-honorable discharge, either of which could result in fewer benefits after he leaves the military.
Anti-war protesters held a rally in support of Chiroux outside the hearing, which was not open to the public.
Chiroux is an Individual Ready Reservist who was informed last year he was being sent to Iraq. He refused to report.
Why in the world did he join the US military anyway? He is a disgrace to this country, the American flag, the uniform and all the fine men and women in the US military. If all is so bad then he should go live in Iraq or Afghanistan. To receive any benefits from the military, absolutely not!
SClark2651 @ 9:34 AM CDT, Apr 22, 2009
I was the one in the interview and they wouldn't of shown me had i displayed my true feeling's about this un-American and his total disrespect toward's all who have fallen before us! He is basically saying " Let's let the terrorist walk all over us!!
Vilcekj@yahoo.c-om @ 9:28 AM CDT, Apr 22, 2009
This man raised his hand and took an oath to support and defend his country. By not deploying to Iraq he chose to send someone to do his obligation that he raised his right and swore to do, He gets no sympathy from this ex marine/
steve k @ 9:14 AM CDT, Apr 22, 2009
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