Joy Metzler’s journey from Air Force second lieutenant to conscientious objector highlights a growing trend among U.S. military personnel reevaluating their roles amid the Gaza conflict.
At a Glance
- Two U.S. Air Force enlistees seek conscientious objector status due to U.S. support of Israel in Gaza war
- Death of a 6-year-old girl in Gaza and footage of destruction influenced their decision
- The Air Force has processed 36 conscientious objector applications since 2021, granting 29
- Joy Metzler, a second lieutenant, filed for conscientious objector status after being affected by the conflict
- Vietnam war-era policy being used by some military personnel to terminate their service
A Shift in Perspective
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has triggered a profound reassessment among some U.S. military personnel regarding their roles and responsibilities. Joy Metzler, a second lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force, exemplifies this shift as she seeks conscientious objector status. Her decision, rooted in moral values that now contradict her military upbringing, reflects a broader trend of individuals grappling with their participation in contentious overseas actions.
“I didn’t know Palestine was a place before October 7th,” Joy Metzler said.
Metzler’s revelation underscores the transformative impact that the Gaza conflict has had on some service members’ worldviews. Her journey from ignorance to moral objection highlights the complex ethical considerations that military personnel face when confronted with the realities of modern warfare and geopolitical conflicts.
Growing Dissent Within Ranks
Metzler is not alone in her stance. Two other U.S. Air Force enlistees, Larry Hebert Jr. and Juan Bettancourt, have also sought conscientious objector status due to U.S. support of Israel amid the ongoing war in Gaza. Their decisions were influenced by the devastating impact of the conflict on civilians, particularly children.
“She looks almost just like my daughter, and that was something that was extremely hard to grasp, is that all these children that have aspirations and dreams and lives that many of us are living and want, and it’s wholly unjustified to support what’s happening,” Larry Hebert said after watching footage of a child’s death.
This emotional response to the conflict’s human toll has led these service members to question their roles and the broader implications of U.S. military support for Israel. The decision to seek conscientious objector status is not taken lightly, as it often comes with significant personal and professional consequences.
The Process and Implications
The path to conscientious objector status is rooted in Vietnam War-era policies, which are now being utilized by some military personnel to terminate their service. This process involves a rigorous evaluation of the applicant’s moral and ethical objections to military service.
“Almost everyone that I’ve talked to has at least cited what’s happening in Gaza as a factor in causing them to rethink what they’re doing,” Bill Galvin, a lifelong pacifist who supports conscientious objectors through the Center on Conscience and War, explained.
The Air Force has processed 36 conscientious objector applications since 2021, granting 29 of them. This statistic suggests that while the process is challenging, it is not impossible for those with genuine moral objections to receive approval.
Broader Implications for U.S. Military and Foreign Policy
The growing number of conscientious objectors raises questions about the long-term implications for U.S. military recruitment, retention, and overall morale. It also highlights the potential for internal dissent to influence foreign policy decisions, particularly regarding military interventions and support for allies in conflict zones.
“I sure hope that our leaders see that the war crimes taking place, the thousands of videos of maimed children coming into our phones, are changing the conscience of the American people, both within and outside of the military,” Bettancourt stated.
