Accused Deserter Kevin Benderman

Sgt. Kevin Benderman refused to deploy with his outfit in the 3rd Infantry Division when it returned to Iraq last January. His court martial starts today in Fort Stewart, Georgia. Benderman seeks conscientious objector status. The U.S. Army prosecutors seek to have him spend a stretch in the stockade.

[Update 1745 EDT]

From Savannahnow.com:

An Army judge found Sgt. Kevin Benderman guilty of "missing movement" for not being on the plane when the 3rd Infantry Division deployed to Iraq in January.

The same judge cleared Benderman of a more serious desertion charge.

Benderman was sentenced to 15 months in prison, reduced in rank to private, and will receive a dishonorable discharge.

His wife, Monica, responded angrily to the verdict. "No one's justice was served today. Kevin did nothing wrong," she said. "They don't have control; he's in control. He made the choice."

In my opinion, he had a sob story that nobody bought and his wife was probably a large factor in his 'realization' that he is conscientious in objecting. Don't ask me to explain Monica Benderman's totally nonsensical outburst in court.

Simply put, if you don't follow orders in the military, you get hammered. The dishonorable discharge automatically disqualifies Benderman from many future opportunities.