DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE480TH INTELLIGENCE, SURVEILLANCE, ANDRECONNAISSANCE WING (AF ISR Agency)

23 Oct 2014

MEMORANDUM FOR 15 WG/CC

FROM: CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTOR APPLICANT (SSGT DAMIAN J. NIOLET)

SUBJECT: A More Concise Overview of My Belief System and Convictions Therein

1. It has become evident I have not grasped the intensity of this conscientious objector (CO) application process. I was naïve and thought my sincerity would be readily apparent; however, I overestimated my ability to be brief and effective in my communications. As such, I am submitting this letter as a supplement to my CO case file. I think it important to note, there is nothing in this letter that was not said elsewhere in my case file. It is simply an attempt to answer the questions in paragraph A2.2 from AFI 36-3204 more concisely.

2. Question A2.2.1: A description of the nature of the belief that requires the applicant to seek separation from the military service or assignment to noncombatant training and duty for reasons of conscience. Answer: The nature of my belief system is, first and foremost, one of agnosticism. As an agnostic I believe the truths behind existence are beyond comprehension. However, I believe every single living person stands as a reflection of that truth and is, in a manner of speaking, sacred. I believe we should, therefore, focus on what we can conceivably know and uphold – ourselves. In more detail, of greatest impact to my belief system is the acknowledgment of the absolute subjectivity of morality and the fact engaging in conflict is always a choice. As such, I believe there is no justification for war. Quite the contrary to the pursuit of supremacy – morally, geographically, economically, etc., etc. – I believe the only thing we should be striving for as individuals and as a race is Utopia. I believe in human potential to cease making choices which often lead to escalating conflicts – so-called human nature – and to establish a global society driven by peace. Therefore, I cannot in good conscience serve an entity that actively counters any progress towards this end.

3. Question A2.2.2: An explanation as to how the beliefs changed or developed, to include an explanation of the factors (how, when, from whom, or from what source applicant received training or acquired belief) contributing to conscientious objection beliefs. Answer: The formation of my belief system began while attending the National Intelligence University (NIU) between July 2010 and July 2011. I was enrolled in a class concerned with the origin of conflict. This led me to thoroughly examine human needs and behavior, using the works of Abraham Maslow and Manfred Max-Neef as a starting point. The result was my personal theories and paradigms on human nature. With these paradigms as a basis, I surmised mankind, though fully empowered to choose otherwise, acts on over-exuberant fear and/or hubris. I also proposed the existence of a cyclical, compounding, and useless dynamic of harm, which we perpetuate through even our most seemingly mundane daily actions. After graduating from NIU, I believed conflict was largely avoidable, but I still held to notions of an objective morality and believed war was justified in certain circumstances. Upon arriving at my next duty location, Hickam AFB, I was ready to take on new duties with these beliefs in place. It was not until January 2013 that I

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started questioning the foundation for morality, focusing on the concept of love as an objective truth or moral virtue. I researched numerous historical texts (the Bible, Quran, Shakespeare, etc.), and commentaries on said texts over the course of many months. By September of 2013 I had written a screenplay and numerous chapters of a book, all of which encapsulates my views. In particular, I discovered self-actualization, to include self-actualization of the whole of humanity, to be of far greater worth than the befuddled concept of love. With the crumbling of what many cultures believe to be the highest truth and moral virtue, I realized there is never an adequate justification for conflict/violence/war because there is never an adequately justifiable moral imperative that trumps the ending of the cycle of harm. Some would suggest self-preservation, especially of entire groups of people, to be adequate justification, but I adamantly believe in dismantling the cycle of harm through non-violent action. I firmly believe we would never see atrocities like genocides again if enough people countered the flow of the cycle.

4. Question A2.2.3: An explanation as to when these beliefs became incompatible with military service, and why. Answer: Having seen how my commitment to the USAF was in direct violation of my convictions in my belief system, it was readily apparent I could no longer be reliably counted on to perform my duties; my convictions run deeper than my commitments. Thus, I sought ways to separate from the USAF. I was aware of the possibility of applying for CO status, but only indirectly from historic accounts of Vietnam Vets having done so, usually against significant opposition. I began realistically looking into the process in early Jan 2014. At first, leading up to April 2014, I sought what I believed would be the most expedient avenues for separation – benefit to the USAF and financial windfall to me. Fear about the stigma associated with the CO status and miscommunication with my leadership caused the CO route to be pushed to the bottom of my list. By May 2014, when all avenues other than a CO application were obviously not viable, I elected to submit a CO application with the intent of separating from the USAF.

5. Question A2.2.4: An explanation as to the circumstances, if any, under which the applicant believes in the use of force, and to what extent, under any foreseeable circumstances. Answer: I am so opposed to the use of force I refuse to bare arms in aggression or self-defense and will myself daily to have the courage to react in no manner other than capitulation at the hands of an attacker, even if my loved ones, to include my children, were in harm’s way. It follows I would never participate in an escalating conflict between groups of people beyond my loved ones that would eventually lead to war.

6. Question A2.2.5: An explanation as to how the applicant’s daily life style has changed as a result of the beliefs and what future actions applicant plans to continue to support applicant’s beliefs. Answer: I have always lived a relatively conservative lifestyle, having never been a drinker, done drugs, or been involved in fights, but my belief system has forced me to reorient how I see the world on a daily basis, particularly when it comes to the people around me. Having no grounds for determining “good” from “evil” through any sort of morality (there being no such sentient “forces” in existence), my conscience will no longer allow me to classify people as good or evil. Instead, I see everyone as struggling to handle pain in pursuit of his or her needs. On a daily basis I consider how I can ensure I inflict less pain on others and how I can assist them in self-actualizing. Having full knowledge of the cycle of harm and the consequences and impacts associated with our daily actions, my conscience will no longer allow me to regard people as stupid or bad. Instead, I see them as neglected by an ill-designed system and very likely by the very people charged with their care. On a daily basis I consider how I can affect change within said system and strengthen our relationships with one another. Having assessed the source of much of the potential for conflict in the world today to be the perception of threats and/or superiorities, rather than actual threats and/or superiorities, my conscience will no longer allow

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me to participate in our present systems, especially the USAF as a militant system, or abide by our current cultural standards. Instead, I am engrossed in respectively alleviating and/or undermining said perceptions through the spreading of my belief system via my talents, as guided by my entrepreneurial spirit. All of the above has forced me to devote nearly all of my free time toward my entrepreneurial endeavors. Not a day goes by in which I do not work to see progress in spreading my beliefs through my entrepreneurial endeavors. I am constantly working on websites, blog posts, screenplays, graphic novels, and/or nonfiction books. I believe my chances of success in various industries are impaired by my belief system, but I am steadfast in my resolve. I have even begun boycotting anything that feeds into misguided truth claims and/or the cycle of harm.

7. Question A2.2.6: A description of what most conspicuously demonstrates the consistency and depth of the beliefs that gave rise to the claim. Answer: I have a distinguished 10 and ½ year career, which could count towards a decent retirement. I have a stable and well paying job, which is tough to find in our current economy. I have no financial safety net, which will make transitioning to civilian life and starting businesses very difficult. I have a family I am responsible for supporting, which would be impossible should I be prosecuted for failure to perform my duties. Despite all of the above, I am committed to my belief system and to pursuing a favorable outcome to this CO request to the very end.

Damian J. Niolet, SSgt, USAF 1N3, 392 Intelligence Squadron

For Official Use Only“Privacy Act of 1974 – Personal Data – IAW DoD 5400.11R”

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