Much has been made of the traditional aspects of US military formations and ceremonies, including whether or not prayer and the Chaplaincy–which has been part of military protocol since George Washington’s time–is appropriate.
While not directly addressing the controversy of religion, Maj Thomas Smicklas has written a fascinating and heartfelt commentary on the meaning of military ceremonies and their time-honored traditions:
The Air Force has many different types of ceremonies that are unique customs of our military profession. Read more…
In 1934, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) erected a cross on a non-descript area of the desert in California as a war memorial. In 2001, the ACLU filed suit to have it removed. A district court ruled that the primary purpose of the cross was to advance religion; therefore the presence of the cross on government land was unConstitutional. Currently, the now-steel cross is covered by a wooden box to obscure its shape.
The case will be heard by the Supreme Court on October 7th.
While the ACLU repeatedly claims it is not trying to remove crosses Read more…
The Colorado Springs Gazette recently got taken by a USAFA euphemism. In an article about the new Air Force Academy program that helps cadets learn about UAVs, the paper said
The F-35 fighter now in production may be the last fighter the Air Force buys that carries a pilot. That doesn’t mean the remote planes are super stars at the Air Force Academy, where the cadet wing’s favorite acronym is IHTFP for “I’m here to fly planes.”
The cadet wing’s favorite acronym may be IHTFP (though it would be in close running with BOHICA), but that’s not what it stands for. Read more…
An interesting letter to the editor was written to the Stars and Stripes by a Staff Sergeant in Afghanistan:
“Run both sides of gay issue” was shocking for me as a Christian who reads and follows the Bible. Read more…
Various news outlets (including CNN and Fox) reported that Israeli Defense Force Lt. Assaf Ramon died in an F-16 crash on Sunday. (The Lieutenant was posthumously promoted to Captain.) The Israel National News reports speculation that sounds much like a G-LOC. The aircraft was an F-16A, an older version of the American-made fighter; the crash appears to have occurred during his F-16 training, just a few months after he received his wings from basic pilot training.
Ramon was reported as being either 20 or 21 years old, both of which are young by American standards. Based on entering college Read more…
Chaplain (Col) Henry Haynes, then a Lt Col, was working in the Pentagon the day it was struck by an airliner on 11 September 2001. He recalls the experience, his actions to tend the needy, and the impact of his faith: Read more…
The Marines released the report of the AV-8B Harrier crash that occurred in North Carolina late last year. With vague similarities to the F/A-18 crash in San Diego, it appears that the pilot was poorly chosen, poorly prepared, and contributed to the crash that claimed his life.
The report, as noted in the Marine Times, said Read more…
The Military Times papers have now picked up on the previously noted story about Army Chaplain (Lt) Thomas Dyer, a former Marine and Baptist pastor who converted to Buddhism and joined the Army National Guard (as published in the Tennessean).
The most recent article did have some interesting (and sometimes controversial) comments. For example, despite the accusations that Chaplains can never evangelize, the article does provide the qualifier: Read more…
Categories: Chaplain Tags: Afghanistan, baptist, Buddhism, Chaplain, Church and State, evangelism, marines, Military, Religion, steve blackwell, thomas dyer
A military press release describes the interesting story of three California National Guard soldiers who were able to take part in the pilgrimage to the Church of the Black Madonna in Kosovo.
Alongside the Balkan pilgrims…three California National Guard Soldiers [said the] trip was more than just an excursion to see the sights of Kosovo, but a journey to a higher calling. Read more…
Organizations who oppose religion in public life (including the military) generally dismiss as ‘ludicrous’ the assertions that their goal is to scrub all vestiges of religious expression from government institutions, like the military.
American Atheists recently undermined that defense when they decried President Obama’s use of “God bless you” in his address to school children yesterday. The logic was particularly disturbing because it is the same as some activists who oppose religious associations in the military– Read more…
S. Michael Craven is the President of the Center for Christ & Culture. His ministry emphasis is on living Christianity in the face of modern cultural challenges, with the goal of applying Christianity to all aspects of life. He “works to equip Christians with an intelligent and thoroughly Christian approach to matters of culture in order to demonstrate the relevance of Christianity to all of life.”
In an August 17 article, Craven writes about seeing his son leave for the Marine Corps. Near the end of the article, he writes an intriguing paragraph on Christianity in the military Read more…
Officers’ Christian Fellowship (OCF) highlights an interesting article from Col Al Shine (USA, Ret), describing what a Christian life should look like in the military. It should impact every part of your life and profession:
“Jesus is Lord”
…will be reflected in your integrity.
…will affect your attitude.
…will be a source of strength and guidance.
…will affect how you fight.
…will add a dimension of ministry to your life.
The evangelism associated with living a Christian life in the military Read more…
US Army Chaplain (Lt Col) Avi Weiss has previously been profiled here. The Defense Department has a new article out that notes the challenges he experiences not only as a Jewish Chaplain serving all faiths, but also as a Jewish Chaplain serving the unique aspects of the Jewish faith.
Like all chaplains, he serves Soldiers, civilians and family members of all faiths, but the wide variety of Jewish traditions among his faithful adds an extra level of complexity. Weiss is personally “very traditional Orthodox,” but many of the military members he serves are not. Read more…
Islamic US Army soldiers in Iraq, including Spc. Linda Boyed and Spc. Fatima Benasser, two Arabic interpreters, note the challenges in exercising their faith during Ramadan while still executing their mission.
Finding time to pray in a high op tempo can be difficult, Read more…
Sgt. Jason Boatwright, a US Army Chaplain’s Assistant, has been named both the Installation Management Command and National Capital Region Soldier of the Year.
This humble Heidelberg garrison chaplain assistant has earned the chance to compete in the Department of the Army “Warrior Challenge” competition at Fort Lee, Va., Sept. 28 – Oct. 2.
According to the Command Sergeant Major, Read more…
Recent Comments