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Show Conscientious Objection: How to Fill Out Form 150 5 By Austin Mitchell Those who simply refuse to cooperate with the Selective Service System (non-coopera-tors) seldom escape prosecution prosecu-tion if they remain in the country. For those who choose to cooperate by appealing for a l-O or 1-AO classification, Form 150, the conscientious objector questionnaires, is available on request from their local draft boards. The form is designed to obtain information informa-tion about and establish the position of the objector. THE QUESTIONS are divided divid-ed into five series. Series I establishes the claim for exemption. ex-emption. The registrant must sign the 1-0 claim and strike out the 1-AO claim, or vice versa. Often the local board will "bargain" by classifying 1-AO instead of l-O. Series n establishes the registrant's reg-istrant's "Religious Training and Belief" with seven questions. ques-tions. The first, "Do you believe be-lieve in a Supreme Being?" is tricky. A "No" usually dis qualifies the registrant automatically, auto-matically, so it's best to answer an-swer "Yes" or add a qualifying qualify-ing remark. "DESCRIBE the nature of your belief which is the basis of your claim . . . and state whether or not your belief in a Supreme Being involves duties du-ties which to you are superior to those arising from any human hu-man relation" is the second statement. Here, comprehensive, comprehen-sive, concise detail about what you do believe, not what you don't believe, is important. This is a key question. Third, "Explain how, when, and from whom or from what source you received the training train-ing and acquired the belief be-lief ..." The question is self-explanatory, self-explanatory, but once again, it's important to be concise and explicit. ". . . NAME AND present address of the individual upon whom you rely most for religious re-ligious guidance." This fourth question can be a real hassle for someone with sincere con- i victions who nevertheless does not participate in any organized organ-ized religion. One must use "care to name a person who thoroughly understands and supports your position, since he may be queried in later investigations. in-vestigations. Where no such person is available, answering "None" is advisable. THE FIFTH question is "Under "Un-der what circumstances, if any, do you believe in the use of force?" This is a trick question, ques-tion, often the focus of har-rassment har-rassment during later hearings. hear-ings. A typical question that . draft boards ask is, "What would you do if someone tried to rape your wife?" Distinguishing Distin-guishing between force and violence may be helpful although al-though it is wise to seek assistance as-sistance in thinking through this question. "Describe the actions and behavior in your life which in your opinion most conspicuously conspicuous-ly demonstrate the consistency and depth of your religious conviction." Since this question ques-tion lets you show if your actions ac-tions speak as loudly as your words, it is your answer here that is often most convincing. The more down-to-earth, the better. "HAVE YOU ever given public expression, written or oral, to (your) views ... If so, specify when and where." Here again, the activist has a real opportunity. Series HI is simply general education and occupation. SERIES IV is headed "Participation "Par-ticipation in Organizations." Important considerations to explain include past membership member-ship in a military establishment, establish-ment, church membership (including (in-cluding a statement of the church's stand on conscientious conscien-tious objection), and any activities ac-tivities within peace organizations. organi-zations. "References" is the topic in Series V. Draft boards invariably invari-ably have reservations about what the claimant himself has to say, so reference letters can v often mean the ; au y , tween reclassify' fusal. The ideal reljen person who thorouf stands your posihon . vigorously attest to cerity.butwho, agrees with conscient ;. BESTexarg ably a military whom you are wDJ 5 ;c the names of tMJ his Form ISMJ" to include actual letters. i points about 0 Form 150-JfL one's -s, be mailed ba t0 ( board within Jf have one's ansjB ;-before ;-before k- filed with the1 0 the SV mailings shouM .- , tered letter, for v own safety- |