The War Moratorium (Formerly Iraq Moratorium)

Jeff Bartos is a member of Iraq Veterans Against the War from Hartford, CT. He has taken part in Iraq Moratorium activities, including speaking, twice, at IM events in Cornwall, CT. He recently got a survey letter from a "Retention NCO" in the National Guard asking why he wouldn't re-up and what would have convinced him to do so. He sent back an earful:

Dear SFC Trayner-
I'm going to respond in a manner that I doubt that you will be receptive to, and even further doubt that you will share with the Senior NCO corps of the Connecticut National Guard.

Why did I ETS? I separated from the army because of the illegality of the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, and the incongruity of my principles with the US military's actions there under the false flag of liberation. I separated due to the treatment of our returning veterans, the virtually automatic prescription for anti-depressants upon redeployment, and the non treatment of mental illness within the military that has lead to astronomical suicide rates.

I separated due to the US military's commitance of direct violations of international law and of the Geneva Conventions and of our abusive behavior to the indigenous population of the occupied nations. I separated due to the growing trend of aggression in US foreign policy, and the expansion of an illogical strategy into further countries in southeast asia in an open ended and self-fueling "Global War on Terrorism" which does nothing to ensure US security and harms the civilian population. I separated due to the fact that most of the soldiers being deployed are on their second or third tour, and often more. I separated due to the racist and socioeconomically discriminatory recruiting policies of the US Army.

What could have made me stay?
Any incentives you could have offered, any promises you could have made cannot reconcile the above complaints.

Once again, I doubt that you have the courage to share my remarks with the NCO corp of which I was once a member. My words are not well received , and I make no apologies.

Very Respectfully,
Jeff Bartos,
Former Sergeant, Healthcare Specialist.
Deployed to OIF 05-07 with 1/4 ID.
Iraq Veterans Against the War.