Posted on Oct 15, 2017
Does fighting for an overseas militia disqualify you for military service?
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There are Americans who are traveling to Syria to fight w/ the People's Protection Units(YPG).
Many are former military. I heard that it was illegal to do this, however I have not seen any American return home from fighting against ISIS with the YPG be arrested. In fact, some even go as public as talking on the news.
Many are former military. I heard that it was illegal to do this, however I have not seen any American return home from fighting against ISIS with the YPG be arrested. In fact, some even go as public as talking on the news.
Recruiting
United States
Militia
Kurds
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 12
Better you ask a lawyer versed in US law then an Internet forum of mostly service members.
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Audie Kiev
I was hoping to find a recruiter who might know if there were any specific regulations(specifically for the Army, or any branch) that mentions it.
But, you're right. It appears to be a gamble of a legal issue.
But, you're right. It appears to be a gamble of a legal issue.
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SGM Erik Marquez
Audie Kiev - recruiter who might know if there were any specific regulations(specifically for the Army, or any branch) that mentions it."
Ok fair enough...... as in is that a question you have to answer during the process....
I think what your going to find is the question is, Have you been outside the country in the last X years? What countries did you visit? and when a recruit answers "Pakistan or Iraq or the like ...it will be something that gets looked at before a contract is pushed across to sign..
But good question.....
Ok fair enough...... as in is that a question you have to answer during the process....
I think what your going to find is the question is, Have you been outside the country in the last X years? What countries did you visit? and when a recruit answers "Pakistan or Iraq or the like ...it will be something that gets looked at before a contract is pushed across to sign..
But good question.....
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SSG Edward Tilton
If it doesn't it should. You are swearing allegiance to another government,state, religion, whatever.
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SGM Erik Marquez
@SSG Edward Tilton
I do not believe going to a foreign country and working as what is essentially a mercenary equates to pledging allegiance to anything it may be a requirement in some instances but I do not believe you’ll find it a requirement in most or even all if you’re willing to pick up a gun fight that’s good enough
I do not believe going to a foreign country and working as what is essentially a mercenary equates to pledging allegiance to anything it may be a requirement in some instances but I do not believe you’ll find it a requirement in most or even all if you’re willing to pick up a gun fight that’s good enough
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I second what the SGM said, fighting in another military opens you up to a great deal of scrutiny what with war crimes, violations etc real or imagined. Good intentions are often rewarded with 3 hots and a cot at the gray bar hotel when doing things not under and SOFA or Uncle Sam's guidance.
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Suspended Profile
The US can choose to prosecute you, disqualify you for military service, and strip you of your citizenship and right to return - if you join or fight in a foreign military or paramilitary service - particularly if you kill anyone. So far, such prosecutions are rare. Warmest Regards, Sandy :)
p.s. In general the act must be voluntary and may be viewed as renouncing your citizenship.
p.s. In general the act must be voluntary and may be viewed as renouncing your citizenship.
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I'll give you the basic answer and then you'll need to seek out a lawyer for the full explanation. It depends... My understanding of the subject is that foreign war-fighting, in and of itself, isn't illegal. The groups you associate with (ie if a militia was recognized as a terrorist organization) , along with your own actions in the conflict (ie if you commit a war crime), are what make it illegal. Regardless, the legal murkiness of the scenario makes it more likely than not that you will break the law by doing so. As such, you're better off looking for other ways to help with the Syrian conflict than joining these sorts of organizations.
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It would depend, the US historically has had people who served in other militaries. I once worked with a LT who served in the French Foreign Legion. But that was decades ago. I am sure waivers would need to be applied for, what branch of service they were going into, what they bring tot he table, and how hard up recruitment is at the time. Seems when numbers are down everyone qualifies.
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Yeanbetter to listen the the advice of the SGM above. By doing this you are putting your future at risk and opening up yourself to a lot of heart aches.
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Like a Comrade mention it’d be advisable to seek legal counsel first to make sure..
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I think as long as anything the militia does:
Noyt committing war type crimes like pillaging(pillaging the enemy for weapons and ammo should not be a negative factor, as long as you only did that.. breaking and enteringbto get the supplies
Should not be either.. I think if the militia, it’s members had a rules of engagement similar. Though not exact with a fair amount of leeway .. and you don’t actually outright brutally murder to reach the objective.. I think if the country you are fighting for is rightfully trying to maintain it’s freedom/independence, there should be no question..
Noyt committing war type crimes like pillaging(pillaging the enemy for weapons and ammo should not be a negative factor, as long as you only did that.. breaking and enteringbto get the supplies
Should not be either.. I think if the militia, it’s members had a rules of engagement similar. Though not exact with a fair amount of leeway .. and you don’t actually outright brutally murder to reach the objective.. I think if the country you are fighting for is rightfully trying to maintain it’s freedom/independence, there should be no question..
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
I see no prob our Vets helping them. I think as long as when they come home some country on that
U.N. Board doesn’t later try to bring them to trial for alleged crime(s), will the U.S. stand behind these mercs and not let them be taken.
U.N. Board doesn’t later try to bring them to trial for alleged crime(s), will the U.S. stand behind these mercs and not let them be taken.
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
When I joined AF Reserve I was 17. Nothing wrong with it. As long as in the 1st year a few months to six months spent in a technical school after basic trng and the next months spent at a Base in a non-combat theater. I went in on my 17th b’day. Left for basic on. That Friday following.. took a by-pass test for my 3 skill leve, got to my Unit my 5 Lvl books were waiting for me. I was still in my Senior Year, I had my 5 level before Christmas as a Cook-baker. I goto go on some
Extra Drill weekends, that was some nice xtra money. I what a job in my Great Aunts Restaurant and I did the Vo-tech program leaving school at 1330 and starting work by 1400 there about. Getting off by 1800.
I did loose out some .. I could only work just so many hours a week. When I had Drill I lost 36 hours(Drill counted for 3 24 hr. Days. I worked it out to 1.5 days I lost each week.(18 hrs w/o breaks).. i’d Show the pay scale but you need a magnifying glass .. The Reserve was totally enjoyable. It was a lot of work and worth every minute. My grades stayed steady C+s and Bs and a few As scattered in the mix. I grew up a lot doing that Reserves. Didn’t take time playing around goofing and being a adolescent.
My Teachers, parents, family, those I worked for, at work and In the AF
Reserve could see it. When kids at school played their adolescent games I just kept my distance. Thry’d try and get me involved and I’d tell them to behave and grow up.. Gee, you’re no fun! I don’t have time to play kiddy games. I tell them, I got work to do.. you kids run along.. maybe I lost a few, but I didn’t really because I ran with a more adult group.. Adults at work and in the Reserve.
Extra Drill weekends, that was some nice xtra money. I what a job in my Great Aunts Restaurant and I did the Vo-tech program leaving school at 1330 and starting work by 1400 there about. Getting off by 1800.
I did loose out some .. I could only work just so many hours a week. When I had Drill I lost 36 hours(Drill counted for 3 24 hr. Days. I worked it out to 1.5 days I lost each week.(18 hrs w/o breaks).. i’d Show the pay scale but you need a magnifying glass .. The Reserve was totally enjoyable. It was a lot of work and worth every minute. My grades stayed steady C+s and Bs and a few As scattered in the mix. I grew up a lot doing that Reserves. Didn’t take time playing around goofing and being a adolescent.
My Teachers, parents, family, those I worked for, at work and In the AF
Reserve could see it. When kids at school played their adolescent games I just kept my distance. Thry’d try and get me involved and I’d tell them to behave and grow up.. Gee, you’re no fun! I don’t have time to play kiddy games. I tell them, I got work to do.. you kids run along.. maybe I lost a few, but I didn’t really because I ran with a more adult group.. Adults at work and in the Reserve.
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SSgt Boyd Herrst
In addition while in Reserve I went to Canada on some Deploys over semester and Easter breaks. Spent that time Cooking and baking with our Canadian Comrades for several thousand Troops(American, Canadian and British) I wasn’t handling no ammo, just cooking and baking.. So no Geneva violations there.. They didn’t ask, I didn’t volunteer any info . Didn’t want to by chance get redeployed before it was over. That Spring’71, I transferred to Regular AF after Graduation. I went to Canada again and met up with Some that stayed in.. One SGT (Canadian )asked me how old I was.. Old enough to know better than to answer that question, Sergeant.
He just laughed and went about his work. I been asked more times than I want to remember.. and I gave the same answer. I went and did what was required I do.. As long as I didn’t have to handle munitions, there should be no problem. And it should be that way these days. The p.c. Yada-yada about 17 year olds serving.. is bull! As long as they don’t handle munitions there should be no questions asked by ANYBODY !
He just laughed and went about his work. I been asked more times than I want to remember.. and I gave the same answer. I went and did what was required I do.. As long as I didn’t have to handle munitions, there should be no problem. And it should be that way these days. The p.c. Yada-yada about 17 year olds serving.. is bull! As long as they don’t handle munitions there should be no questions asked by ANYBODY !
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Who goes public because I haven’t seen anything. To answer your question if the government doesn’t acknowledge it, then I guess it would be a no, even if you can prove you were fighting for a US backed faction
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If memory serves, both the Flying Tigers (in China) and the flying outfit in England, before Pearl Harbor, were both made up of U.S. citizens. Some who had served in our military, prior to serving in those units. After Pearl Harbor, some of them were re-integrated into the U.S. Military.
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