Background
Stephen Funk decided to enlist in the United States Marine Corps after 9/11, signing a six-year contract in February 2002. Near the end of boot camp, he shot expert at the rifle range, at 200-, 300- and 500-yards. Despite this, his instructor told him that he would not shoot as well in combat, Funk later said, "I told him he was right, because I felt killing was wrong."
Prior to enlisting, Funk had a background in social activism having attended a politically charged alternative high school called The Nova Project and as an organizer for various causes and against the WTO in Seattle & DNC in Los Angeles. He was also recruited as an out of the closet gay man living in San Francisco.
His period of "unauthorized absence" lasted from February 9, 2003 to April 1, 2003.
On April 1, 2003, Funk held a press conference at the main gate of San Jose Marine Reserve Base and turned himself over to military authorities. During the conference, Funk spoke to reporters and said "There is no way to justify war because you're paying with human lives." Just before being taken into custody. Funk had attempted to obtain conscientious objector status and a discharge. His conscientious objector application was never reviewed, instead he was court-martialed. At the same time he applied for conscientious objector status, Funk also came out publicly as a gay man. In 2003, while imprisoned, he was named as one of OUT Magazine's "Out 100".
Read more about this topic: Stephen Funk
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