Navy to Get More Buddhist Chaplains
US Navy Ensign Aroon Seeda is reportedly being commissioned into the Chaplain Candidate Program. When he completes his requirements, he will reportedly be the second (or perhaps third) Buddhist Chaplain in the US Navy. Like several other Buddhist Chaplains, Seeda will attend University of the West, a Buddhist school in southern California.
Likewise, Brett Campbell will enter the Candidate program at Naropa University in Boulder, Colorado. Naropa was founded Buddhist Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche.
As reported by Buddhist Military Sangha [Campbell].
This is interesting… The Navy recognized the need for everybody to be represented equally with their leader of choice. But when I asked if we could receive support here at Travis AFB for our local MASH (Military Atheists and Secular Humanist) group…. I was denied.
Atheists almost certainly outnumber Buddhists in the military, but because of discrimination, we are not allowed the same things that any organized religion takes for granted: 1. Ability to “Pass the plate” to pay for functions, 2. Use of government facilities that taxpayer money pays for, 3. Advertising in the local chapel schedule…. the list goes on and on.
I wish that everybody could be accepted equally in this country.
@Dan Rawlings
There are slightly more current similar events (as in just last month, rather than two years ago).
Perhaps if you shared what process you used and what the actual response was, you could get some assistance. It seems likely you’re going about this the wrong way, as the military has no policy discriminating against those who choose not to believe in God.