Gi Rights and Army Justice

I picked up a copy of this book, fresh off the press in 1971, about 6 months into my stint with the US Navy during the Viet Nam War. It proved to be an invaluable guide legal during bout with the military in my struggle for recognition as conscientious objector. Without it, I wouldn't have been able to distinguish between the truth and the lies and half-truths the military tried to feed me about my rights and the way the system worked. In particular, I benefitted from knowing, in advance, about the legal distinctions between and consequences of simple AWOL and desertion, and between when one is subject to (or entitled to) Article 15 v. summary v. special v. general courts martial and the risks, benefits, privileges, and limitations of each. This book kept me out the brig and from adverse reassignment. It enabled me to force the battalion commander to unbury and reluctantly process my conscientious objector application. Even today, this book should be issued to every recruit.