Exemption from Assignment to Duty in a Designated Hostile-Fire/Imminent Danger Area
A Soldier whose family member has been killed, wounded, is or was missing in action or captured, or has been officially designated as 100 percent disabled, may not be assigned to a permanent change of station (PCS), temporary duty (TDY), or duties involving actual combat with the enemy if he/she submits a written request for deferment, exemption, or reassignment from combat duty. On approval of such a request, Soldiers in this category shall not be assigned to any overseas area designated as a hostile-fire or imminent danger area or to duties that regularly may involve combat with the enemy.
If a Service Member of a family has been killed, wounded, is or was missing in action or captured, or has been officially designated by the Army (or the Department of Veteran Affairs) to be 100 percent mentally or physically disabled, other Soldiers of the same family shall be exempt, on request, from duty in a hostile-fire area.
Soldiers in this category may not be assigned to duty normally involving actual combat or duty where they might be subjected to hostile-fire. Unless status is waived, Soldiers will not be assigned to combat and hostile-fire areas; duties that require travel within the limits of the hostile-fire zone; a command where combat conditions exist, unless the area is not physically located in the geographical limits of the hostile-fire zone.
Applications may only be submitted by the Soldier, will be forwarded to the commander exercising general courts-martial convening authority (GCMCA), who will authorize the assignment limitation when satisfactory evidence has been presented.
Soldiers who have a pending or approved request for exemption from deployment to a hostile-fire area and/or combat duty, may request the action be waived in order to deploy with their unit.
If a Soldier’s application for deferment, exemption, or reassignment from combat duties is approved, and he/she is assigned to an area designated as hostile-fire/imminent danger or where duties involve combat with the enemy, then the Soldier is eligible for reassignment unless the Soldier waives the assignment restriction.
References: AR 614-30, paragraph 3-8b(4)
Wounded Soldiers
Soldiers wounded due to hostile-fire action resulting from combat duty, and as a result are hospitalized for more than 30 days outside the hostile-fire area, will not be returned to combat duty during the tour when wounded.
References: AR 614-30, paragraph 3-8b.
Conscientious Objector, Noncombatant (1-A-O)
Commanders will try to effectively utilize conscientious objectors by assigning them to noncombatant duties and training in any unit that is unarmed at all times; in any medical department; or in any other assignment, the primary function of which does not require the use of arms in combat provided that such other assignment is acceptable to the individual concerned and does not require the individual to bear arms or to be trained in their use.
The burden of establishing a claim of conscientious objection as grounds for separation or assignment to noncombatant training and service is on the applicant. To this end, applicants must establish, by clear and convincing evidence, that the nature or basis of their claim comes within the definition of criteria prescribed in AR 600-43 for conscientious objection and that their beliefs are sincere.
Defense-type training consisting of unarmed defense, passage through minefields, search of casualties for booby traps, and disarming of booby traps found on casualties will be taught if a conscientious objector so requests.
Excluding noncombatant duties and training, conscientious objectors are not allowed to avoid hazardous duties that may be part of the mission of the unit to which assigned; are subject to Army regulations and directives, including those on training and discipline; and are available for worldwide assignments.
References: AR 614-200, paragraph 3-12; AR 600-43, paragraph 2-1a
