Brown v. Geren (Supporting West Point graduate’s application for conscientious objector status)

U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, Index No. 07-CV-01250 (direct) This is a conscientious objector case. Capt. Peter D. Brown graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2004. He comes from a religious family, but had not felt conflicted about his faith and military service until after his graduation from West Point when he attended a civilian religious education center in Holland. He began to examine Scripture and his beliefs in greater depth. After nearly two years of study, prayer and reflection, Brown came to believe that the teachings of Jesus Christ compelled him to love his enemies and not harm them. While deployed in Iraq for more than a year, Brown applied for discharge from the Army as a conscientious objector. His conscientious objector application emphasized that he is religiously opposed to participation in all war and killing, not just to the current war in Iraq. Though the Army-appointed chaplain and investigating officer designated to investigate Brown’s conscientious objector application concluded that he was sincere and recommended that he be honorably discharged, the Army disagreed and his request was denied.

On July 11, 2007, the NYCLU and the ACLU of the National Capital Area filed suit in the District Court in the District of Columbia, challenging the denial of Brown’s conscientious objector status. Shortly after suit was filed the Army decided to reconsider the decision. Upon reconsideration, the Army decided to grant Brown’s application.