Keep Reservist Peace Corps Volunteers out of the Military

Matthew McCue has been serving his country as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niger since January 2007. His efforts as an agriculture extension agent have focused on improving food security for his village of 6,000 people. An exemplary volunteer, Matt is also a distinguished veteran of the Iraq war. (Find out more about Matt by reading his article on the Farms Not Arms website, located here: http://www.farmsnotarms.org/statements/one_soldier%60apos%60s_story.aspx )

Peace Corps Volunteers serve in some of the poorest, least developed countries in the world, working in difficult conditions to help improve the lives of others. Individuals such as Matt offer valuable skills and leadership to communities around the world. Many work in Muslim societies and help to foster friendship between the United States and other countries.

As a result of the length of the war and the strains on troop levels, discharged combat veterans are being reactivated by the Department of Defense to return to Iraq. Matt McCue, along with other Volunteers, must now discontinue their Peace Corps service and return to military service.

Peace Corps Volunteers are already serving the United States in a meaningful way. Keep Volunteers in their countries and allow them to complete their service before being eligible to return to active duty.

(*This petition and its contents are in no way endorsed by the United States Peace Corps and its administrative personnel. It is the product of private citizen action.)