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The US military has roughly 525,000 soldiers on active duty around the world. But every year, a handful of those volunteers experience a change of heart, and apply to be processed out of the service as conscientious objectors.

But of course it is not a simple matter. Having signed up to fight, these soldiers have to satisfy the authorities that their newly-acquired objections are indeed genuine and that they are now morally opposed to all war in all forms. To be legally discharged from the military is considered the most difficult process a service member can go through.

Director Gareth Keogh follows the process through the very different experiences of two servicemen who - after signing their enlistment contracts and being sent to war - chose to take a different path: The path of most resistance. But this is a battle they willingly fight.

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About Al Jazeera - Witness

Rageh Omaar presents Witness, a half-hour daily documentary series which features short, specially commissioned or acquired films gathered from independent filmmakers.
 
Each documentary reveals the unknown lives of ordinary people, following their lives, telling their stories and portraying the challenges that confront them. Our witnesses are people in a situation or those who have observed them first hand.
 
The films cover conflict, belief, the past and the future and as well as bringing new stories to light they showcase the talents of a new breed of multi-skilled, frontline journalist. In the studio, Rageh will further explore the issues raised in the films, with expert guests on the subject matter and the filmmakers themselves.