But now he has landed in serious trouble. Next Monday, he is due to stand trial in military court at a Washington state Army base for refusing to deploy to Iraq with his unit. The war, he has come to believe, is "illegal and immoral."

His message taps into a national mood of rejection and anger over a deceitful venture. He has drawn support from anti-war groups, who support his change in outlook.

His arguments are appealing, but unconvincing. As an officer, he's in no position to refuse orders to go to Iraq. His change of mind and claims of conscience don't excuse him duty.

Watada, who did an earlier tour of duty in Korea, has offered to serve in Afghanistan. Yet no soldier can be allowed to pick and choose assignments, a notion that undercuts the necessary hierarchy of military order. He also faces charges of conduct unbecoming an officer for publicly denouncing President Bush, who is also commander in chief of the military.

Free-speech advocates are bothered by another angle in the case. Army prosecutors may oblige two journalists to testify as to the veracity of Watada's remarks critical of Bush and the war. It's one thing to verify a published account, as reporters often do. But there must not be a wider fishing expedition into the case against Watada.

He's already lost a preliminary ruling that bars a hearing on the illegality of the war. With his options so limited, it's hard to imagine an outcome that will satisfy him or his supporters. He faces prison and a dishonorable discharge. A promising officer has made a ruinous misjudgment.

This article appeared on page B - 6 of the San Francisco Chronicle