A person who, due to religious belief, refuses to participate as a combatant in any war. By law, such an individual is exempt from serving as a combatant, but may be required to perform an alternative form of service to the country in a civilian or non-combatant military role. selective conscientious objector. A person who does not object to all wars, but only to those he considers unjust. Such an individual is not exempt from service as a combatant