Resources for GIs and their Families

GIs have the legal right to:

  • Consult with a lawyer, civilian counselor or service, or a congressional office about a problem.
  • Appeal any non-judicial punishment, discharge denial, or court-martial conviction.
  • Say what they think and feel about the military, and participate in peaceful demonstrations, when off-duty, out of uniform, off-base, and in the U.S.A. (DoD Directive 1325.6).
  • Protect themselves against racial, sexual, and sexual orientation harassment and discrimination (Articles 93, 134 UCMJ).
  • Protect themselves from assault by other military personnel (Articles 93, 117, 120, 124, 128, 134 UCMJ).
  • Request redress from Commanding Officers for any grievance (Article 138 UCMJ).
  • Write a formal complaint against Commanding Officers if not granted redress (Article 138 UCMJ).

(from GI Rights Hotline)

Good organizations to know:

Iraq Veterans Against the War - for active-duty soldiers and veterans who have served since 9/11 and are against the war.
DC Chapter: dc@ivaw.org

Veterans for Peace - a national organization founded in 1985 including veterans from wars throughout the 20th century. 

Vietnam Veterans Against the War- founded in 1967 and still going strong. 

GI Rights Hotline (877) 447-4487
Network of nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations who provide information to servicemembers about military discharges, grievance and complaint procedures, and other civil rights.

Military Families Speak Out - an organization of people opposed to the war in Iraq who have relatives or loved ones in the military or who have served since 2002.

Gold Star Families for Peace - Families of soldiers who have died as a result of war.