David Johnston: Do the job or leave

Despite a recent comparison in the July 14 letter “Conscientious objectors” between North Carolina magistrates refusing to marry gay couples and conscientious objectors in the military who refuse to fight on religious grounds, know this, it most certainly does not, to quote the letter writer, “fit the bill” as a valid comparison.

In the military somone can’t just write a letter. There is an involved process to justify classification as a noncombatant by reason of conscience objection. Following classification the most common outcome is a discharge. Honorable, but a discharge none the less.

The thinking is this: Military resources are far too limited to accommodate people unable or unwilling to complete the mission for whatever reason.

It’s that simple: regardless of convictions do the job or there’s the door, a philosophy which I believe has great merit.

This story was originally published July 18, 2015 at 2:00 PM with the headline "David Johnston: Do the job or leave."