European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - February 17, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 4 b the stars and stripes sunday. February 17,1991 War in the Gulf tangled fight for co status leaves private up in the air by Rady Pruitt staff writer a Kirch Gons Germany a pfc. Francis Brown Iii an avowed conscientious objector assigned to the 3rd Archd div thought head won his Legal tug of War with the army last month when after 10 Days in saudi Arabia he managed to convince the military Hierarchy that he did t belong  Jan. 8, the 24-year-old office clerk was flown Back to Germany. But now Browh said he has been notified by his division that he May be returned to his infantry unit in the War zone. A spokesman for v corps the divisions higher Headquarters said there Are no plans a at this time7�?T to return the Soldier to saudi Arabia. The experience has left Brown angry and confused. A a in be made it no secret a Brown said of his religious belief that it is wrong to take another persons life. He applied for co status in november 1989. Brown a member of the worldwide Church of god since he was12, said that he was forced by family circumstances to join the military and that he Tolof his Recruiter he was a conscientious objector when he enlisted in december 1988. Following Basic and advanced training Brown was sent to Germany and began researching How to apply for conscientious objector status. Although he submitted his application in november 1989, records in a Browne Slegal file show that no action was taken for nearly a year because Brown s brigade commander col. William Nash had put a a a hold on his packet. The file shows that Nash continued to Block the re quest despite warnings from his staff that the Case could a blow up a if Brown those to pursue co status through inspector general or congressional Chan Nels. Brown now assigned to the divisions 1st brigade Headquarters filed an administrative Thi plaint against Nash on oct. 30 of last year asking that Niv request for co status be forwarded to the department of the army As required by regulation one Day Kier Nash a office notified Brown that his request had been forwarded to division Headquarters. But it was too late for Brown. An Almy directive issued last fall required service members Sis it King co status to accept deployment unless their request had been filed Ana approved by army Headquarters Dermi oct. 19, 1990. Brown was sent to saudi Arabia on dec. 29, although he later talked his unit into returning him to Germany a. A. A a a Nash is in saudi Arabia and could not be reached for comment. The v corps spokesman could not say Whybrow s application was delayed requirements state that it be forwarded through the division to Washington within 90 Days. Brown said his views on the military began to crystallize when he turned 17. A i realized that i might be draft cd some Day Quot tie said a so i sat Down and wrote a letter to myself.�?�. The envelope postmarked dec. 30, 1983, remained sealed until nov. 12, 1989. At that time Brown had a Friend open it so Tjie letter could be included in his request for co status. A i am a conscientious objector a he wrote. A i cannot and will not join the military any Branch. It would be hypocritical for me to become a  a Brown said he never experienced a change of heart but joined the army in an act of desperation. A my parents had gone through a divorce. 1 had three younger Brothers at Home and we did t have enough Money a said Brown a native of Shreveport la. Quot i Felt an obligation to do something. The Job situation was not good.�?�. Brown said he sent most of his paycheck Home for his first 18 months in service. On reflection however he said he made a serious mistake by enlisting in the army a i compromised some. 1 wish i Hadnot a he said. A amps Randy Pruitt pfc. Francis Brown Iii. Shows the letter he wrote to himself that Compromise has caused a lot of pain Brown said including harassment by other soldiers officers and commanders. It. Col. Michael Deegan Browne a former battalion commander at the 5th in 5th Cav in Kirch Gons questioned Browne a motives and recommended that the sol Dierks request be disapproved. A this Soldier joined the army in an impulsive response to unfavourable circumstances in civilian life Quot Deegan wrote. A the is applying for conscientious objector status in a similar response to difficult circumstances. It is a Means to avoid being an infantryman As opposed to an action based Oft genuine reasoned and sincere moral  but capt. Marvin. Davis the investigating officer Nash appointed to look into Browne Scase recommended that the application be approved. A i find he is sincere in his beliefs a Davis wrote in his april 30, 1990, report to Nash. A a a first sgt. George r. Monk the top enlisted Man at the cavalry units co d when Brown was assigned there also wrote a letter in Browne a behalf. A i believe 100 percent that pfc. Brown has been truthful and sincere in his beliefs and request for a a non combat duty for the remainder of his tour a Monk said. A i do not believe that his request was designed to simply avoid Field duty lie has shown himself to be consistent in his Day to Day actions conversation and his personal religious  Brown said he was told that his packet was reviewed by 3rd army div Legal officials then sent to the division commander maj. Gen. Paul e. Funk. Since his return from saudi Arabia Brown has been unable to determine where in his Chain of command the packet sits. Whatever happens Brown said he wants Only to serve the remainder of his military obligation a scheduled to end in april a in a. Non combat status. But if he is ordered Back to saudi Arabia Brown said a i will Sav  a a this is where 1 draw the  Media limits in Gulf assailed new York up the overseas press club of America on Friday urged the department of defense to lift Media restrictions in the persian Gulf charging they were a an affront to  1 a a we recognize the importance of taking Jevery precaution to protect Security a the press dub said  letter to defense Secretary Dick Cheney. A but americans must have the right to be informed with the to uhf and the press must be permitted to be free to act. A the restrictions Are an affront to the american con kept of democracy a it said. A Quot we urge your Swift action to end the excessively restrictive regulations and to permit Freedom Forl Nedia representatives to act As responsible professionals As they have done during wartime since this country s  the letter was written by pc president . Stevenson corporate editor for Crains business publications and former managing editor of United press Intel National. The overseas press club headquartered in new York has More than 1,000 members. A desert dispatch so Ron Jensen his Faith was strengthened it will forever be an irony in Gwen Reisert a life that his Christian Faith deepened while he lived in saudi Arabia the Cradle of islam. In stand where Jesus Christ is regarded As a revered Prophet not the son of god and where his resurrection is considered a ruse Keiser invited Christ into his life. The cause of this strengthening of Faith is a mix of the tragic and historical according to Keiser. He had considered himself Christian 10 years ago when he moved to Dhahran saudi Arabia to work at Aram co the Arab american Oil co. He had Jit tended a lutheran Church while growing up in Spokane wash., and believed the lessons he was taught. But four years ago Here in the land of Mohammed Keiser Learned the Power behind those lessons when his 3-month old daughter died. Without warning Keiser Andtius wife Becky were forced to Deal with a parents worst Nightmare. The tragedy taught Keiser that he was not in charge of his life. A greater Power had control. In addition Keiser said the desert is not an uncommon place for spiritual Awakening. According to the Bible John the Baptist found his calling in the desert and Jesus fasted for 40 Days in the desert to prepare for his Mission on Earth. A historically when you think about it the desert has been a religious proving ground Quot Keiser said. A when , get out in the desert its peaceful. Its quiet. You get away from the  / a Clear desert night holds thousands of stars not visible elsewhere. One can Only conclude from such a spec. Tacle Keiser said that this world is not the result of a Chance event but the work of a godly hand. The risers live a fairly Normal Christian life in Dha ran. Protestant and Catholic services Are held at the Aramco compound each. Friday the islamic holy Day. Keiser and Becky often attend what is called Friday school before the protestant services in the school gymnasium. A. A Quot to. .7. A it is another smaller irony that in a land where censorship is government policy and mail is often Tunu Perez with Only one Magazine makes it to Keiser in marked biblical archaeological review. Their presence in an islamic world gives the risers a Chance to educate and enlighten muslims who ask about christianity. A first of All it is illegal for us to try to convert a Muslim a Keiser said. A that will get us into trouble real fast jail and  but if a saudi asks christians Are allowed to answer. Keiser has been asked do you really prank to Christmas Trees is Santa Claus some kind of god was Judas crucified in Jesus place. A there we have an Opportunity to explain legends and Tell what we really do believe in a the 39-year-old Keiser said. A a ,. A a the persian Gulf crisis turned War spawned a lot of discussion in the Christian Community about the end of the world and the return of Christ to Earth. Keiser refers to it As the  what Christ tells us is to watch. What you will be seeing is War and rumours of War a Keiser said. A weve certainly got  there Are people Here he said who believe that the persian Gulf War is a sure sign to at the end is near. Keiser has friends who do not expect to die a natural death but be caught up in the end times the final judgment. Saddam Hussein in their eyes at least is the anti Christ come to trigger this end. This War they believe is part of the chaos that is said will precede Christ a arrival. Reiser does no to agree. It could be that this is part of the preparation for the end times Keiser said. A but then again the end times could be 100 or 500 years from now. A we Are expected to wait and watch and be