Army deserter freed from brig in San Diego after serving 12 months

Army deserter Robin Long was released this morning from the brig at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station in San Diego after serving 12 months of a 15-month sentence.

Long, 25, of Boise, Idaho, fled to Canada in 2005 to avoid being deployed to Iraq. He said he could not go to Iraq because of his moral opposition to the war that began with the U.S. invasion in 2003.

Long's forced return to the U.S. by Canadian authorities caused a political furor because many Canadians saw it as a reversal of the country's welcoming attitude toward U.S. deserters and draft evaders during the Vietnam War.

"Wow, what a journey the last four years has been," Long said as he left the brig. He was accompanied by Dawn O'Brien, a board member of Veterans for Peace and a leader in Military Families Speak Out.

After being returned to this country, an Army court-martial sentenced Long to 15 months and a dishonorable discharge.

Even after he is processed out of the Army, Long may not be able to return to Canada, where his girlfriend and their 2-year-old son reside. Canadian law prohibits convicted felons from entering the country, although Long's supporters have vowed to appeal.

Long enlisted in 2003 and was stationed at Ft. Carson, Colo., as a private when his unit was ordered to Iraq. In Canada, his application for refugee status was rejected. His supporters said he was the first U.S. service member to be deported from Canada during the Iraq war.

In Canada, Long opened a business encouraging water conservation.

-- Tony Perry in San Diego

Photo: Robin Long before his deportation to the United States. Credit: Military Families Speak Out

Comments

[Adam]

Not that I am objecting to his conductl, but why did he enlist, in 2003 when it was quite probable to be deployed to Iraq, if he had such moral opposition?

[Dave Patterson]

99% of Americans chose not to participate in the Iraq war. Of the less than 1% that did choose to fight, as few changed their minds and decided it was wrong. For that we put them in prison and give them a felony, destroying their lives. Where is our shame?

[JB]

Robin Long had no business enlisting in the Army to begin with. I'd be curious to know exactly what he thought he was getting himself into when he signed up. He got exactly what he deserved, not so much the prison time but "dishonorable discharge" might as well be tatooed on his forehead, because it will follow him for the rest of his life

[Carter]

I recall that when Robin Long was ordered to be deported back to the USA many Canadians like myself felt that as he ENLISTED in the armed forces he should live up to his commitment and not use Canada as his way out.

[MR]

Despite a majority of Canadians and most of Canada's elected representatives telling our government to stop deporting Iraq war resisters to jail, Stephen Harper's Conservatives went ahead and deported Robin Long. They don't represent the consensus in this country – in fact, by refusing to participate in the Iraq war, it is Robin Long who truly reflects Canadian opinion.

[John Doe]

The Army should shoot a few of these deserters and we wouldn't have this problem.