NEW JERSEY MILITIA

For immediate release to all military personnel

So swore New upon enlisting in the United States Army. The adherence to that oath cost the decorated Texas medic a bad conduct discharge when he refused a United Nation's blue beret and the extra $150 per month that went with it. To New a change in uniform was a change in allegiance. To wear that beret would require him to break his sworn oath, something no honorable person would do.

New, who served in Germany with the 1^st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3d Infantry Division, realized that the U.S. Constitution and the UN Charter are diametrically opposed. This is illustrated by the UN oath of allegiance: "I solemnly affirm to exercise in all loyalty, discretion and conscience the functions entrusted to me as a member of the International Service of the UN, to discharge those functions and regulate my conduct with the interest of the UN only in view, and not seek or accept instructions in respect to the performance of my duties from any government or other authority external to the organization." Whereas the Constitution guarantees individual rights and limits government power, the UN Charter grants individual privileges "except as provided by law" and concentrates unlimited power in the would-be world government. Furthermore, despite the American flags sewn on their uniforms, Americans serving under the UN are UN soldiers. Vice President Gore made that point when he told the families of the soldiers killed in the friendly fire downing of two helicopters over Iraq in 1994, that they died "…in the service of the United Nations."

President Clinton ordered the 540 soldiers of the 1^st Battalion, 15^th Infantry to go to Macedonia. New's commanding officer ordered New to go to Macedonia. Both orders were unlawful, and in violation of the Constitution and the UCMJ.

The President based his order on Section V of Presidential Decision Directive #25 signed 3 May 1995. It states: "The President…will never relinquish authority over US forces." In newspeak fashion the very next sentence reads: "On a case by case basis the President will consider placing appropriate US forces under operational control of a competent UN commander for specific UN operations authorized by the [UN] Security Council." PDD #25 derives its authority from Title 22 US Code 287d which states that the "President is authorized to negotiate…special agreements with the Security Council…for the purpose of maintaining peace in accordance with Article 43 of said [UN] Charter." But this is pure deception; Congress has never ratified Article 43. Thus 22 USC 287d is not law. Is the President misleading the American people by citing an Article that is null and void?

But, PDD #25 aside, the President's order to the 1/15^th is unlawful on other grounds as well. "The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States…" (Art. II, Sect. 2, Constitution) He cannot lawfully delegate his power as Commander in Chief to anyone, let alone a Finnish general, the commander of US forces in Macedonia, nor, incidentally, the Secretary General of NATO, a Spanish socialist, who is commander in chief of US forces in Bosnia.

The Army charged New with a violation of Article 92 of the UCMJ: "…a violation of a lawful order." New had two choices -- to accept a non-judicial punishment under Article 15, or to request a court martial that carried with it the risk of a reduction in rank, loss of 2/3 pay or confinement for six months. New chose the court martial because a conviction could be appealed, and, if overturned, it could save other soldiers from unlawful military operations. Ironically he was found guilty even though the UCMJ orders soldiers not to obey orders that conflict with the Constitution (such as Art. II, Sect. 2) or are unlawful (such as PDD #25).

"Moral courage is as important as physical courage. It is the courage to stand firm on your values, your moral principles, and your convictions. You show moral courage when you do something based on your values or moral principles, knowing that the action may not be in your best interest. It takes special courage to support unpopular decisions and to make it difficult for others to do the wrong thing. Others may encourage you to embrace a 'slightly' unethical solution as the easiest or most convenient method. Do not ease the way for others to do wrong; stand up for your beliefs and what you know is right. Do not compromise your professional ethic or your sober and considered judgment. Hold your position." -- Military Leadership, US Army Field Manual 22-100, Chapter 4, "We the People"

Soldier! Sailor! Airman! Marine! Coast Guardsman too! Unlike your counterparts throughout corpse-strewn history you are unique. You have sworn to defend the law, not fallible leaders or commanders when they are wrong. To live up to your oath, study what you have sworn to defend, and, when necessary, be prepared to act with the moral courage of Michael G. New!