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Mark Wilkerson
 Mark Wilkerson An interview with Mark Wilkerson by Aaron Glantz, co-produced by Sarah Olson, for KPFA Radio August 18, 2007. 19 min. audio edited by Courage to Resist (transcript below). Live broadcast available here.
Following his presentation at the Courage to Resist hosted workshop at the 2007 Veterans for Peace National Convention in St. Louis, Mark sat down with Aaron Glantz and David Cortright, author of "Soldiers in Revolt".
Mark was a Army MP in Iraq. He talks about joining the military, the reality of the Iraq occupation, his five months in the Fort Sill brig, and how people can better support today's GI resisters. At the time of this interview, Mark had just been released from the brig only days earlier.
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 July 26, 2007 Update
After nearly seven months in Fort Sill, Oklahoma military brig, Iraq War veteran turned GI resister Army Spc. Mark Wilkerson is finally free! Prior to sentencing, Mark explained, “I could not [again] deploy to a foreign land with a weapon in my hand, representing my government. I am not willing to kill, or be killed for my government. When I enlisted in the Army, I thought I would be able to, but after Iraq, my beliefs became such that I could no longer participate.”
Only days after being released, Mark has already begun working with Iraq Veterans Against the War. He is looking forward to attending the upcoming Veterans for Peace national convention next month in St. Louis where he will be joining the Courage to Resist panel discussion on GI resistance in the military today. |
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Statement by Mark Wilkerson made at Camp Casey, Crawford,TX
Thursday August 31, 2006
First, I would like to thank you all for being here today. Today is a big day for me. I am turning myself in from being absent without leave, or AWOL, from the military. I have been AWOL for a year and a half.
My name is Mark Wilkerson. My experience in the Army began in June 2002, shortly after my high school graduation. I enlisted prior to September 11, but I found a new resolve to join after that tragic day. I thought that somehow, through my upcoming military experience, I would be able avenge those people that had been killed on that day. After basic training, I ended up in Ft. Hood, TX where in March 2003, I deployed to Iraq with the 720th Military Police Battalion. I was nervous and scared, but at that time I was supportive of my president’s decision to go into Iraq, and I was optimistic about the good things that we could do there for the people of Iraq. I quickly learned that wasn't going to happen. |
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AWOL Conscientious Objector Turns Himself In at Ft. Hood Following Press Conference with Cindy Sheehan
Crawford, TX~ 22-year old Army Specialist Mark Wilkerson held a press conference this morning to announce his plan to turn himself in to Fort Hood in Texas, after being AWOL (Absent Without Leave) for more than 18 months. Read more...
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After Experiencing War In Iraq Army Specialist
Mark Wilkerson Refuses War on Moral Gounds FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday August 31, 2006 AWOL Conscientious Objector Turns Himself In at Ft. Hood
Following Press Conference with Cindy Sheehan
Wilkerson Latest in Growing Number of Iraq War Military Resisters
Crawford, TX~ 22-year old Army Specialist Mark Wilkerson held a press conference this morning to announce his plan to turn himself in to Fort Hood in Texas, after being AWOL (Absent Without Leave) for more than 18 months. Wilkerson, who served in the 720th Military Police Battalion in Iraq from
March 2003 to March 2004, made the decision to refuse redeployment on moral grounds, and went AWOL when his request for ‘Conscientious Objector’ status was denied by the Army in November 2004.
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Why Donate?
"Resistance from within the military requires tremendous courage. Organizing in support of resisters requires courage and hard work..."
— David Swanson,
co-founder of AfterDowningStreet.org
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GI Rights HotlineFor help getting out of the military, or related military issues, call the new GI Rights Hotline number at 877-447-4487. Free, confidential, and accurate info for troops, vets, recruits, and their families.
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