| Revision as of 12:13, 26 July 2007 edit220.228.147.130 (talk) →Background and service in Iraq← Previous edit | Revision as of 17:57, 1 October 2007 edit undo213.255.230.132 (talk) →Marine Corps hearingNext edit → | ||
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| ==Marine Corps hearing== | ==Marine Corps hearing== | ||
| Kokesh and other IVAW members wore elements of their ]s for a ] action marking the fourth anniversary of the Iraq War in March. Kokesh and several other IVAW members were contacted by the Marine Corps and warned of possible disciplinary action for violating military uniform policies by wearing their uniforms to a political demonstration.<ref>MCO P1020.34F | Kokesh and other IVAW members wore elements of their ]s for a ] action marking the fourth anniversary of the Iraq War in March. Kokesh and several other IVAW members were contacted by the Marine Corps and warned of possible disciplinary action for violating military uniform policies by wearing their uniforms to a political demonstration.<ref>MCO P1020.34F | ||
| Marine Corps Uniform Regulations, Chapter 11. Published online by the USMC Training And Education Command </ref> Kokesh felt that they were being subjected to ] because of their war protest activities, and replied with a defiant letter (ending it with " ... ask you to please, kindly, go |
Marine Corps Uniform Regulations, Chapter 11. Published online by the USMC Training And Education Command </ref> Kokesh felt that they were being subjected to ] because of their war protest activities, and replied with a defiant letter (ending it with " ... ask you to please, kindly, go f-ck yourself.").<ref>"Antiwar to the Corps: Marine Reservist-Protesters Face Discipline", by David Montgomery. '']'' May 31, 2007; Page C01. </ref><ref name="properwearpost" /> In May of 2007, a hearing was convened to consider changing Kokesh's ] from "honorable" to "other than honorable" on two points: "Disrespect toward a Superior Commissioned Officer", and violating "Wearing of the uniform" regulation.<ref>"Corps accused of 'muzzle' tactics," by Stephen Koff. '']'', May 31, 2007. </ref><ref></ref> | ||
| Although Kokesh is still part of the ] (IRR) until June 18, 2007,<ref name="properwearpost" />, Kokesh's attorney, Mike Lebowitz, claimed that the Marine Corps is attempting to stifle Kokesh's constitutional right to ].<ref name="washpost-20070531">"Marine Vet Faces Hearing Over Protest," By Heather Hollingsworth. ] | Although Kokesh is still part of the ] (IRR) until June 18, 2007,<ref name="properwearpost" />, Kokesh's attorney, Mike Lebowitz, claimed that the Marine Corps is attempting to stifle Kokesh's constitutional right to ].<ref name="washpost-20070531">"Marine Vet Faces Hearing Over Protest," By Heather Hollingsworth. ] | ||
| Thursday, May 31, 2007. </ref> Lebowitz and detailed JAG defense counsel LT Joseph Melaragno argued that the military did not have jurisdiction over Kokesh based on the Marine Corps's use of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, since the UCMJ does not apply to members of the IRR. During cross examination of the government's chief investigator, Lebowitz also elicited testimony that the officer was indeed biased and politically motivated in his investigation when he referred to Kokesh and the Iraq Veterans Against the War as "the opposition." In the end, the tribunal declined to impose the harshest, punitive punishment. If his discharge had been changed to "other than honorable," Kokesh would have lost access to certain veteran's health care services and been forced to pay back over $10,000 in educational benefits he received.<ref name="washpost-20070531"/> | Thursday, May 31, 2007. </ref> Lebowitz and detailed JAG defense counsel LT Joseph Melaragno argued that the military did not have jurisdiction over Kokesh based on the Marine Corps's use of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, since the UCMJ does not apply to members of the IRR. Kokesh critics counter that the real issue was the disrespect of the uniform, a violation that is particularly important to Marines.<ref>http://www.matt-sanchez.com/2007/06/sgt_kokesh.html</ref> During cross examination of the government's chief investigator, Lebowitz also elicited testimony that the officer was indeed biased and politically motivated in his investigation when he referred to Kokesh and the Iraq Veterans Against the War as "the opposition." In the end, the tribunal declined to impose the harshest, punitive punishment. If his discharge had been changed to "other than honorable," Kokesh would have lost access to certain veteran's health care services and been forced to pay back over $10,000 in educational benefits he received.<ref name="washpost-20070531"/> | ||
| On June 4, 2007, the panel recommended Kokesh be given a general discharge under honorable conditions, a discharge status below honorable. Kokesh appealed the decision<ref>US panel punishes anti-war marine. ], Tuesday, 5 June 2007, 15:08 GMT </ref>, and that appeal was denied <ref>Anti-war Marine loses appeal; final decision on discharge expected within a week.</ref> 7 June. | On June 4, 2007, the panel recommended Kokesh be given a general discharge under honorable conditions, a discharge status below honorable. Kokesh appealed the decision<ref>US panel punishes anti-war marine. ], Tuesday, 5 June 2007, 15:08 GMT </ref>, and that appeal was denied <ref>Anti-war Marine loses appeal; final decision on discharge expected within a week.</ref> 7 June. | ||
Revision as of 17:57, 1 October 2007
| Adam Charles Kokesh | |
|---|---|
| File:Adam Kokesh.jpgAdam Kokesh in Fallujah | |
| Allegiance | USMC |
| Years of service | 1999–2007 |
| Rank | Corporal (formerly Sergeant) |
| Unit | 3rd Civil Affairs Group |
| Battles / wars | Iraq War |
| Awards | Navy Commendation Medal Combat Action Ribbon National Defense Service Medal Iraq Campaign Medal |
| Other work | Antiwar activism |
United States Marine Corporal Adam Charles Kokesh (previously Sergeant) is a decorated veteran of the Iraq War and an anti-U.S. occupation of Iraq activist.
Background and service in Iraq
Kokesh enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1999 during his junior year at the Native American Preparatory School in Rowe, New Mexico as part of the Delayed Entry Program. He was originally assigned to November Battery, 5th Battalion, 14th Regiment of the 4th Division. In 2004, he volunteered for deployment to Iraq as part of the 1st Regiment Detachment of the 3rd Civil Affairs Group and served in Fallujah from February to September, where he was engaged in several firefights. Kokesh was a Sergeant for most of his enlistment, but was demoted to Corporal immediately before being discharged in late 2006 for illegally bringing a pistol he purchased in Iraq back to the United States. Kokesh is currently a graduate student at George Washington University.
Protest activities
After returning from Iraq, Kokesh resumed his studies and completed his bachelor's degree at Claremont McKenna College. In February 2007, Kokesh became an active participant in the Iraq Veterans Against the War. Kokesh first came to national attention after his photograph appeared on the front page of the Los Angeles Times at a protest during Alberto Gonzalez's testimony to Congress regarding the dismissal of U.S. attorneys. Kokesh, wearing his Marine Corps Boonie hat, held up a large sign counting the number of times Gonzalez said "I don't remember" or "I don't recall" (Kokesh claimed Gonzalez used such phrases 74 times).
Marine Corps hearing
Kokesh and other IVAW members wore elements of their Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniforms for a street theatre action marking the fourth anniversary of the Iraq War in March. Kokesh and several other IVAW members were contacted by the Marine Corps and warned of possible disciplinary action for violating military uniform policies by wearing their uniforms to a political demonstration. Kokesh felt that they were being subjected to selective prosecution because of their war protest activities, and replied with a defiant letter (ending it with " ... ask you to please, kindly, go f-ck yourself."). In May of 2007, a hearing was convened to consider changing Kokesh's military discharge from "honorable" to "other than honorable" on two points: "Disrespect toward a Superior Commissioned Officer", and violating "Wearing of the uniform" regulation.
Although Kokesh is still part of the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) until June 18, 2007,, Kokesh's attorney, Mike Lebowitz, claimed that the Marine Corps is attempting to stifle Kokesh's constitutional right to free speech. Lebowitz and detailed JAG defense counsel LT Joseph Melaragno argued that the military did not have jurisdiction over Kokesh based on the Marine Corps's use of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, since the UCMJ does not apply to members of the IRR. Kokesh critics counter that the real issue was the disrespect of the uniform, a violation that is particularly important to Marines. During cross examination of the government's chief investigator, Lebowitz also elicited testimony that the officer was indeed biased and politically motivated in his investigation when he referred to Kokesh and the Iraq Veterans Against the War as "the opposition." In the end, the tribunal declined to impose the harshest, punitive punishment. If his discharge had been changed to "other than honorable," Kokesh would have lost access to certain veteran's health care services and been forced to pay back over $10,000 in educational benefits he received.
On June 4, 2007, the panel recommended Kokesh be given a general discharge under honorable conditions, a discharge status below honorable. Kokesh appealed the decision, and that appeal was denied 7 June.
The VFW supports Kokesh
The national commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars has defended the right of Kokesh and others who have been given honorable discharges to protest in uniform.
Arrest at Ft. Benning
Kokesh, along with IVAW members Liam Madden and Nate Lewis, were arrested in June 2007 for crossing onto the property of Ft. Benning near Columbus, Georgia. On June 13th, the government filed a motion to dismiss the trespass charges.
References
- ^ Kokesh's profile at IVAW.org
- ^ Kokesh's reply letter
- "The AG hearing: A post-mortem," by Paul Kane. The Washington Post, April 20, 2007.
- MCO P1020.34F Marine Corps Uniform Regulations, Chapter 11. Published online by the USMC Training And Education Command
- "Antiwar to the Corps: Marine Reservist-Protesters Face Discipline", by David Montgomery. Washington Post May 31, 2007; Page C01.
- "Corps accused of 'muzzle' tactics," by Stephen Koff. Cleveland Plain Dealer, May 31, 2007.
- Kokesh's letter with scan of Notification of Separation Proceedings
- ^ "Marine Vet Faces Hearing Over Protest," By Heather Hollingsworth. Associated Press Thursday, May 31, 2007.
- http://www.matt-sanchez.com/2007/06/sgt_kokesh.html
- US panel punishes anti-war marine. BBC News, Tuesday, 5 June 2007, 15:08 GMT
- Anti-war Marine loses appeal; final decision on discharge expected within a week.
- VFW urges military to back off of activists. Associated Press. Los Angeles Times, June 2, 2007
- Associated Press,Trespass charges against veteran protesters dropped June 14, 2007