Military Supports All Faiths, and Those with None

Despite the occasional accusation to the contrary, the US military is not a bastion of conspiratorial theocrats.  As is routinely shown even on this site, the Chaplains of the US military go beyond the call in their efforts to support all military members, no matter what religion (if any), and often no matter what nationality.

At Keesler Air Force Base, Chaplain (Capt.) Charles Mallory recently had an opportunity to organize a new group to discuss issues of belief.  The Chaplain was approached by an enlisted Airman about starting a discussion group that would ultimately be called “The Query of Orthodoxy,” designed to give 

Airmen who are agnostic, atheist or undecided a chance to explore their faith and the beliefs of others.

Any member of the military, no matter their belief system, who desires to participate in such a forum simply has to ask.  While Chaplains are ready to meet every need, they may not be aware of a need until someone asks.  Within the constraints of the mission and military protocol, they will do everything they can to provide the support requested.

At Keesler, the Query group met weekly on the military facility, and even garnered a senior officer as a mentor.

A junior enlisted servicemember requested a Chaplain’s assistance, received enthusiastic and proactive support, and even attracted the attention of a like-minded senior officer to join their fellowship.  The result is that the Airmen get the spiritual (or philosophical) support they desire among themselves, from the Chaplain corps, and even from senior officers.

That construct of spiritual support is precisely how the system should–and does–operate in the US military.