@peter thanks!
I'm thinking that on one hand it would make total sense for all US military personnel to quit their jobs at this point, because they don't want to participate in war crimes and the current commander in chief (trump) is clealy insane and has no problem commiting war crimes. But on the other hand, that's easy for me to say, it's something else for someone who depends on their job in the US military to provide for their family. It's a really shitty situation for them.
> they can't 'just quit.' that would be desertion
I don't understand. Anyone who is employed within US armed forces must stay at that same job their whole life, they can never quit? About desertion, I thought that desertion was something that can be referred to in wartime, and that congress has not declared war. Obviously I'm ignorant about these things, I do appreciate if someone can explain it.
@eliasr @saltywizard @peter Desertion would be abandonment of your post with intent, and can be punishable by death if it's during wartime (which apparently we're not at war, so I guess just 5 years in prison). Treason could be used if the absence was specifically done with the intent of aiding the country's enemies, although I don't think it's ever been successfully tried in this manner.
@eliasr @saltywizard @peter TLDR: you can't just quit the military without risking jail time or worse.
@eliasr @saltywizard @peter when you join the military, you sign a contract for a specified number of years. Part of that contract is swearing an oath to abide by the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The UCMJ has definitions and outlines punishments for a broad array of crimes, including being absent without leave (AWOL), desertion, and treason. AWOL is relatively benign - there can be significant punishments, but you could be AWOL if you thought you were on leave but didn't submit the papers.