My Son Trent: a Marine Who Doesn’t Want to Kill

My name is KATHIE HELMKAMP and I live in Fredericksburg, VA. My husband has been a Naval Officer for 25 years, which may have a little to do with our 18 year old son, Trent Helmkamp, joining the delayed entry program for the Marines in June 2003, then just 17 years old.

He was shipped off to boot camp June 2004. About two months before leaving he began to have second thoughts about his decision, but was told by his recruiter that she would not let him out of his obligation and that he had to go.

While at boot camp he became depressed and experienced anxiety. Most of his letters home were hard for me to read, as he spoke of how much he did not want to be in the military.

As he went through training and was exposed to the Marine Corps’ kill, kill, kill mentality, he became aware that shooting and killing was not something he could do, but felt trapped with no one to talk to.

He graduated on Sept 10, 2004 and came home for leave. He was depressed and confused and was sent to see a chaplain and a mental health counselor at Quantico Marine base.

He wanted out of the military after realizing that the whole way of life was not for him and never would be. He had to report to Camp Lejeune Sept 28.

While home he heard about conscientious objectors. He did not know that people in the military who opposed killing might, if they are lucky, be discharged due to their feelings. He is supposed to start training next week for infantry, but doesn’t want to be in training to kill others. He has been told that next week he will be thrown in jail if he refuses.

I wanted to get his story out in hopes of getting him some support from others. He is against the war and killing and is willing to go to jail to stand up for his beliefs. I fear for his safety. He was punched in the face two days ago by a fellow Marine. He had to go to the hospital for stitches.

KATHIE HELMKAMP can be reached at: KamperTwo@aol.com