Category: Profiles in Resistance

He was denied conscientious objector status. Since being discharged he has become a well-known anti-war activist and is currently a staff member on the GI Rights Hotline.

He has demonstrated with Iraq Veterans Against the War, has spoken against military recruiting in high schools, and blogs on the IVAW site.

Zabala’s grandfather was awarded a Purple Heart for being wounded in combat during his service in Vietnam; his mother and father were in the Navy, as were all his uncles; and a cousin was a Marine.

Army specialist Michael Blake served from April 2003 to March 2004. On returning from Iraq he applied for conscientious objector status. His request was approved,

US Army Spc., medic. Convicted of desertion and missing movement March 6, 2007 for resisting redeployment to Iraq.

He was sentenced to seven months confinement, reduction in rank to private and a bad conduct discharge. He was released in September 2005.