Join the Military Project

Because the troops are ours, because they belong to us as much we belong to ourselves we treat them accordingly. We understand how they’ve been fucked over in Afghanistan/Iraq, not as tongue clucking observers (or detractors) but as allies in their desire to leave countries they come to realize they have no business in, except to serve the profit drenched interests of those who put them there in the first place and trash their lives as they do Afghans and Iraqis.

These are sister-brother citizens who may have enlisted immediately after 9/11 or those who were in need of career. Those who shared our high school class and those who thought by being a National Guard member they could serve at home in times of disaster. They have been deceived just as much as we during the burlesque(s) of presidential elections, except their fate is exposure to terrifying means of death or dismemberment in a desert capital or mountain pass hunted by thousands of people who simply want them to leave. A Zogby poll of February 28, 2006 reveals their discontent: 79% want to pull out by December 31, 2006 and 29% prefer immediate withdrawal. These percentages are proportionately greater than civilian sentiment.

But civilian groups have formed and are in the process of providing aid and comfort to service personnel who question, oppose or resist U.S. military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The common slogan of “Bring Them Home Now” is one that’s being heard more and more throughout the country, if not the world. And as the knowledge that the troops have been “had” becomes clear, as it did in Vietnam, we should be ready to increase support for them.

The Military Project is one such civilian group. Formed approximately 18 months ago, it is dedicated to troop support for troops turning against the war, a tactic almost completely absent, to this point, from most of the organized anti-war U.S. Left movements. To achieve this, the organization enthusiastically works with other groups and individuals willing to reach out to the troops.

The organizing committee of the MP has been successful, so far, in establishing military contacts overseas and domestically through web publication, GI Special and print publication, Traveling Soldier. Both of these are aimed at the military and military families. Security (names withheld, etc.) is offered at all times for contributions.

Military Project’s activities have included attendance and exposition of Military Project via the publications, twice at the Fayetteville, North Carolina anti-war rally outside the giant army base, Ft. Bragg and most recently at a meeting of anti-war activists near a naval base that included active naval personnel. Multiple copies of Traveling Soldier and GI Special were brought to Ft. Bragg. GI Special is read by many active duty members of the armed forces including troops serving in Iraq.

Previous and recent campaigns of support for Seaman Pablo Paredes and imprisoned Army Sergeant, Kevin Benderman in their conflict with the military over conscientious objector status and subsequent court martial took place in conjunction with the previously mentioned allied groups. The popular film depicting GI resistance in Vietnam, “Sir! No Sir!” was endorsed by the Military Project and the movie’s producers were aided by the group in publicizing the film during its April, 2006 run in New York and the nation-wide tour that continues.

In the Fall of 2005 a new Military Project chapter, Prisoners Against The War, was formed by prisoners of the Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet, Illinois. They are dedicated to future organizing against the war(s) not only within their location but, via a Military Project member (prisoners are not permitted to correspond with other prisoners), with prisoners in other locations as well. Many of those imprisoned have family members and friends in the military. Organizing in the National Guard and Reserve is a key area of work for the Military Project. We have worked with other organizations snd individuals in distributing informational/assistance material to troops.

It isn’t deep science to discover that in order to change something one plus many must do something. It’s fine to march in protest, fine to write letters of same but if one or others are truly desirous of change doing something is paramount. If anyone is interested in reaching out to the troops in their present and future anti-war activities, if you have access to any armories in the greater NY area, please let us know at: Contact@militaryproject.org

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