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e-Action Report: Pushing Back
October 2008

I'M NOT JUST TAKING ORDERS
An Interview with Geoff Millard from Iraq Veterans Against the War about GI Resistance, the Peace Movement and Stopping the Occupation.

I met Geoff Millard at an Iraq Veterans Against the War (IVAW) fundraiser / chili cook-off at the local IVAW chapter house in Washington D.C. We've been working together, as part of the peace movement, for almost a year; but this was the first time we had a chance to sit for a one-on-one about our work.

Geoff is a relaxed guy who speaks eloquently and passionately about his work with IVAW and its importance. After 3 years with IVAW he was recently elected to the National Board. He has been the DC chapter President for 2 years. He served 9 years in the Army National Guard; 3 of which he spent as an assistant to a general in Iraq, a position which gave him a bird's eye perspective on the occupation and military leaders. The last 9 months of his contract with the Army was spent AWOL until he was honorably discharged in May 2007.

When asked about his patriotism and his military service he is audibly disheartened. He says his patriotism has not waned – it has become more complex. "I love my country's potential and I hate when my country doesn't live up to its potential. But, I've never seen it live up to its potential." Geoff says he went through a long and painful process coming to terms with his own culpability in the war. "You can't be in the machine and not think that you are part of the destruction. You have to deal with that responsibility and say I'm not just taking orders." Today, Geoff refuses to even put on his uniform for protest saying, "It's come to be a sour taste in my mouth."

His time in Iraq solidified in him a virulent sense of self determination both for himself and for the Iraqi people. He said, "All people can self-govern and the Iraqi people can police their own country if given the opportunity to." He went on to explain the disconnectedness many GI's feel about U.S. occupying missions in countries all over the world. "When I was in the military I would participate in conflicts and not know why. Lots of people think that; people stationed in Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan…everywhere."

That sense of self determination is a critical aspect of IVAW's message to potential war resisters. "There is no big sales pitch – just that we exist," he said. "I'm a vet and I'm against the war. It's automatically radicalizing." Their focus is meeting other veterans where they are in the movement - what Geoff calls the "spectrum of resistance" – blogging, joining IVAW, and going AWOL are all opportunities for vets and active GIs to speak out. He believes that the most effective measures are "when it's organized within the military…an entire unit refusing combat missions or deployment…it's not just the lone act of an individual."

As part of the greater peace movement IVAW has had tremendous success reaching leaders and bringing the issues of vets to the forefront of the Iraq conversation. "It's about a sense of urgency and strategic thinking. The war isn't real for most people, but for us it is." IVAW uses a variety of tactics to carry their message including direct action.

In Denver, they staged a guerilla street theater protest and a march which resulted in a meeting with the Obama camp. Although they were not as successful gaining access to John McCain, Millard explained how they approached the candidates differently. "Obama calls himself an agent of change and our job was to tell him IVAW’s stance and that vets agree with it. It was simple for them to send down someone to get the letter. What's important is that we opened up a line of communication." With McCain they focused on veterans benefits. "He [McCain] is not going to get out of Iraq but he claims to support veterans benefits even when his voting record does not."

After the successes at the conventions IVAW and its chapters nationwide are sticking to their proverbial guns – strategic planning to engage current and former GIs. In DC they are focusing their outreach on wounded vets at Walter Reed Army Hospital; bringing popular rock bands and entertainers through as visitors. This works in two ways: 1. it's a service to GIs not necessarily involved in IVAW; 2. it makes war real for musicians who can incorporate it into their art. The chapter is also utilizing their connection to Congress to stop 'command harassment' – the grey area of military code which allows officers to single out GIs who speak out against the war.

In the next few months, as the Presidential election heats up, the peace movement will ramp up our organizing. Geoff may leave D.C. to take his post with the IVAW National Board; but, our combined mission remains the same. Peace Action is collaborating with IVAW organizers on protests at the debates, continuing outreach to bases like Fort Dix, and the mass mobilization planned for the inauguration. You can find out about these and other actions on the Peace Action website.