We’ve developed this guide for civilian allies as a collaborative project between the War Resisters League, Civilian Soldier Alliance and Iraq Veterans Against the War. It is written by and for activists (civilians and veterans alike) who come from a range of perspectives on militarism, but unite around a common opposition to imperial wars. Some of us are opposed to all wars and desire different forms of internal and international governance and conflict resolution; others are challenging particular U.S. wars and their illegality under international law. There is room, and roles, for all of us. Here we hope to offer tools and information for antiwar activists who want to challenge the right-wing conflation of “anti-war equals anti-veteran.”

This guide begins with a snapshot of the long, rich history of the G.I. resistance movement, looking at resistance inside the military and roles civilians have played, including our most recent past leading up to the present.

Chapter 2 offers some context for understanding more about veterans’ experiences inside the military. In this section, we include an article on Implications Of GI Resistance for Resisters, written by Jeff Paterson and Sarah Lazare of Courage to Resist, an organization that supports GI resisters. The information provides a broad overview of what resisters face legally within the military “justice” system, for allies to better understand the choices people are making so we can be better supporters.

Chapter 3 looks more specifically at what it means to be an ally, giving some foundations and basic tools, and applying those to the specific context of working with veterans and service members. We’ll ask you to look at your own motivations for doing this work, and at the transformative work of healing, which is a central part of this movement. In chapter 4, we explore the basic framework of why G.I. resistance is a strategically important movement. We’ll look at tactics, both of G.I. resistance and also of civilian support, and the relationship between the two.

Then in chapter 5, we take as a case study the organizing strategy developed by Aaron Hughes and Lily Hughes for Iraq Veterans Against the War. The strategy provides tools and a framework for thinking about organizing that centralizes leadership development and strategic campaigning, and gives insight into the model being used by a key veterans’ organization that we encourage civilian allies to be in relationship with. This chapter ends with Aimee Allison and David Solnit’s outline of Steps of a Direct Action Campaign, included for your use as a worksheet.

The Appendix includes a sampling of links to more tools as well as other organizations, websites, and resources for the G.I. resistance movement.