1) Is he a U. S. citizen?
Yes, a naturalized citizen.
2) When did he join?
1/2003
3) Why did he join?
For many reasons...
The short answer... 9/11 had happened. As naturalized citizens it seemed, at the time, like a good way to give back. This country had taken us in. We wanted to do something great for our new country. And yes, he wanted to continue his education.
Some background -- When all that happened, the arrest, he had already been in Iraq 1 year. Had almost finished his contract when he was STOP LOSSED (his contract was extended past the amount he initially enlisted for -- a law that Bush has exercised during this war). He had filed for a discharge as a conscientious objector (CO). The army offers this discharge for COs. And sued the US Army for not granting the CO discharge and mishandling his case (and the judge agreed it was mishandled but did not intervene.)
He did his job until he could no longer do it anymore. He even came back form his first tour of duty decorated. Even though he NEVER loaded his gun and the command knew so becuase he deployed as a CO.
When he came back form Iraq he continued fighting to be recognized as a CO. His command believed him and respected him and even wanted him to get the CO discharge. But instead of being granted the discharge, he was ordered to deploy again -- past his initial contract time. So he refused to go. He missed his movement and turned himself in the next day. I documented it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baisz_eM178
The Army in turn held him in custody until a plane was ready to take him by force to Iraq i.e shackled, handcuffed, and carried on a plane. They brought him to our home in Germany US Military Base and told him to grab his Iraq gear. He pretended to cooperate. And then escaped out the back window of our apartment. He went AWOL for 26 days and came back to the US. He then held a press conference and turned himslef in AGAIN.
He was taken back to Germany then court martialed and sentenced.
He became a CO because he realized he could not kill. He told this to his command. He was a medic. He had hopes of rebuilding and helping the Iraquis as well as the Army. So he deployed to Iraq, for a year, only to realize that he was not helping ANYONE but instead supporting and enabling organized killing by contributing to the missions there in Iraq. When he came back he told me he would NEVER do that again NO MATTER WHAT! I saw how distraught he was and how distraught other soldiers were. Many killed themselves or tried to after they got back. Some never recover. It is immoral. War is immoral. And so I supported him.
I hope this answers your question.
Helga