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Arjuna

- 2 years ago

Bahais in the military?

Despite the fact that Bahais are working towards world peace, I have read that some do join the military (often if not always in non-combative roles). Just wondering if any Bahais out there (or anyone you knew) have served in the military.

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senmcglinn

senmcglinn

- 2 years ago

Sadly, a Bahai serving as an interpreter with the Spanish forces in Afghanistan was killed last week.

http://sensday.wordpress.com/2010/08/28/bahai-interpreter-killed-afghanistan/

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1HotMamma

1HotMamma

- 2 years ago

I have two brothers currently in the Army. One speaks Arabic, the other is a mechanic. Just becareful of the military group-think.

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BruceDLimber

BruceDLimber

- 2 years ago

I have; I had a four-year hitch in the Air Force.

I'd already applied for and received noncombatant status before I'd ever even heard of the Baha'i Faith and so was already serving as a noncombatant (though due to a special exception in the regulations, I was in Base Publishing (Base Forms Designer and later also Base Publications Editor) instead of the medics. (This also made a difference in my service later on, but that's a different story.)

Baha'is in countries where this is possible are strongly encouraged to apply for noncombatant status, but doing so remains a strictly individual decision. The National Spiritual Assembly does provide support for any Baha'i requesting noncombantant status, it should be noted.

These days, that's essentially moot since there's no longer a draft and in general, those requesting noncombatant status aren't accepted for enlistment. For those already in, they do have the option of applying for this status for the remainder of their time.

(The status is theoritically permanent once granted, so technically I still have it today.)

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