Joe Coffin is a former US Marine who served 3 tours in Iraq over his 5 year enlistment. Joe served as an Intelligence Analyst for 2d Intelligence Battalion, II MEF, Camp LeJeune, NC. During his enlistment, Joe participated in major operations in Iraq including the fight in An Nasiriyah and the rescue of Army POW, Jessica Lynch. Joe was also a key analyst for the battles in Ramadi and Fallujah during subsequent deployments, serving as a liaison between the tactical level intelligence groups and Special Operations forces such as the Army Rangers and Navy Seals.

Joe was pressured by his command throughout his enlistment and threatened with penalties under the UCMJ for his objection to the War in Iraq and was told that the USMC would strip him of his Top Secret clearance and rank if he pursued any type of activity against the war or if he spoke negatively of Department of Defense operations. These threats, of course, were and still are illegal as they are protected GI Rights under the UCMJ.

Despite his opposition of the war from the very start, Joe served honorably, achieving high honors as a Marine. He developed and presented hundreds of intelligence updates, many of which made their way to high level commanders in the CENTCOM theater. He was awarded numerous medals and ribbons, including his Good Conduct Ribbon and a Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal for outstanding service throughout his 5 year enlistment. Joe was honorably discharged in February of 2007 as a decorated Corporal.

After his discharge, Joe became an extremely outspoken advocate of GI Rights and GI Resistance. His passion for ending the war still consumes him and likely will until all troops are back home safe.

To contact Joe, please email him at JoeCoffin [at] ivaw [dot] org