NO! means rejecting, refusing, resisting

recruitment or conscription into the military,

as well as refraining from any actions or words that honor or glorify militarism in any way. No honor to any military rank, uniform, or title. We must show our sincere respect and caring for those persons involved in the military, while making it clear that such caring is for their being brother/sister humans, despite their connection to the military.

No social change is likely until we strongly express what we wish to leave behind. No ship arrives at a new destination that fails to cast off the lines that holds it to its erstwhile mooring.

As the American Civil Rights Movement, in order to arrive at an integrated American society, proceeded to violate every tradition, break every law that upheld segregation, so it is that the Movement that would rid the world of wars and militarism must set about internationally to devalue militarism, refuse to glorify any battle or war, must teach children to have no respect for any military institution, title, uniform, or glorifying ritual, and to view with contempt all weapons of destruction, from guns to tanks, warships, warplanes, and missiles.

The basic excuse for the existence of militarism is "national defense", "national security", and "national sovereignty." We must teach our children that national sovereignty can now be discarded in favor of a world community, based on the principle of CARING for the Human Family and our environment. We must teach our children that the nation is not more sacred than human life, and that any rituals or symbols that glorify the nation will be ignored, not honored.

In the United States of America, this means that we shall go to the schools and urge the cessation of all pledges of allegiance to a national flag, the end ofthe custom of standing at the playing of the National Anthem.
Also, oaths of allegiance should be eliminated from political life and rejected by those committed to building CARING World Community.
This may mean risking one's employment. I have personally faced making this decision and found a way out that may not work for everybody. Knowing that my prospective employers were required by law to get my signature on this oath, I signed, but added "Signed under protest." I got the job.

Will such lack of respect provoke strong opposition from those who believe that the nation demands the sacrifice of human lives? Of course it will. The resulting controversy means wide public discussion, during which many people who have given the matter little thought will be forced to re-evaluate militarism and nationalism. The Big No! is intended to provoke discussion, which draws the attention of the media and ultimately an openness to new solutions--in this case to a shift in allegiance from nation-state to a CARING world community.