What is a CO status pertaining to the Vietnam War?

Answer 1

A CO or conscientious objector is someone who, for religious reasons, will not handle any weapon. Many were Seventh Day Adventists, although other religions also held such beliefs.

Most were assigned duties such as VA or other Hospital duties for two years in lieu of being drafted for the same period. Others were drafted anyway, but worked as medics and were not required to train on or carry a weapon.

Some war protesters tried to use CO status to avoid the draft. If this belief was something relatively new in a person, and not a life-long conviction, it didn't always fly with draft officials. Another very different use of 'CO' is Commanding Officer. The term has been used in the US Military for many decades. For example: In the US Army, the CO of a company, battery or troop is the Company/Battery/Troop Commander, usually a Captain. The CO of a battalion or squadron is the battalion/squadron commander, usually a Lieutenant Colonel. The term is also used in the US Navy, Air Force, Marines, etc.