Unauthorized Disclosure: Juan Betancourt and Larry Hebert

On this week's "Unauthorized Disclosure" episode, host Kevin Gosztola talks with Juan Betancourt and Larry Hebert, who are both United States Air Force members who applied to become "conscientious objectors." 

Juan and Larry were moved to apply for "conscientious objector" status when they observed the Israeli military's genocidal violence against Palestinians in Gaza. They discuss becoming a part of a long tradition of U.S. military resistance and dissent. 

Both Juan and Larry are also part of Veterans For Peace's "Appeal For Redress v2" campaign. They encourage U.S. military officers to contact representatives and senators in Congress to object to the bloodshed. 

Juan describes how someone in the military applies to become a conscientious objector. It can take many months to be granted this status, which allows someone to break off the military contract that they signed. 

Larry recounts a hunger strike he launched while he was on leave in late March and early April. He questioned a commanding officer during a congressional hearing, and in retaliation, his command ordered him back to his post in Spain before his leave was supposed to be over.