Never one to miss a controversy, the media is expressing shock that “the Army” would let only three hand-picked journalists attend General Stanley McChrystal’s retirement, scheduled this Friday. They fail to fully understand that a military retirement is not a government ceremony, and the retiree can do as much or as little as he chooses, and invite whomever he pleases.
A military article also notes the continuing ministry of his brother, Chaplain (Colonel) Scott McChrystal, US Army (retired). He recently spoke at a prayer breakfast at Read more…
As noted at Fox News, Christians in Memphis reportedly fear they will be the victims of discrimination if an anti-discrimination ordinance is passed. A local church which made news when it banned a softball team with a homosexual coach is apparently concerned it would be cut off from interaction with government entities, or be subject to sanction, should it continue to support its religious beliefs that oppose homosexual conduct.
Most interesting, however, is the response by the homosexual advocacy group that sponsored the bill to the church’s concern:
[Jonathan] Cole [of the Tennessee Equality Project] stressed that his group is willing to make some concessions and perhaps offer churches an exemption from the proposed law.
“We’re willing to start somewhere by giving them an exemption,” he said. “At least for the time being.”
“For the time being?”
A variety of reports over the past week have noted the flights of one-off unique aircraft. For example, Virgin Galactic flew its private spaceship for its first crewed flight, and a 120 pound unmanned solar powered aircraft flew continuously for a week (with a week more planned).
Unique and adventurous aircraft continue to demonstrate that the “envelope” of flight has room to grow in many areas.
As widely expected, President Obama took Secretary of Defense Gates’ recommendation and nominated Marine General James Amos for the position of Commandant of the Marine Corps. Speculation over why the fighter pilot was chosen over other officers, including the General now nominated to head CENTCOM, General James Mattis, have largely died out.
Norbertine Father Martin Benzoni is a unique Chaplain serving the US military: he isn’t in the military. He currently serves in El Segundo as the
first ever part-time civilian Catholic chaplain or contractor assigned there. The decision to hire contractors was made at the Pentagon level in order to cover the unique needs in the military…due to a priest shortage the Pentagon decided to sign contracts with the chaplains at all military facilities.
As noted, Benzoni is not the only contract Chaplain. Interestingly, the contract is between the priest’s religious order and the Air Force. For those not familiar with military contracting, this means that Benzoni is not even a federal employee. He could be moved by his Abbot and replaced with another priest; the contract merely requires the order to fulfill the requirement of having a priest there. In addition, according to the news article he cannot be deployed (though other contractors can be).
Focus on the Family has a series of articles on “The Chain of Command in Marriage,” a brief look at the challenges to marriage in the military. Interestingly, it quotes Judy McChrystal, wife of former Chaplain (Col) Scott McChrystal, who is brother to General Stanley McChrystal.
The article is a fairly comprehensive overview of the challenges to maintaining (and rebuilding) a healthy marriage within the military environment. The author is Jocelyn Green, author of Faith Deployed: Daily Encouragement for Military Wives, one of many marriage and military resources available from Officers’ Christian Fellowship.
Sergeant Christopher Todd Stout, US Army, was killed in action in Afghanistan on 13 July 2010. He was the first Army Chaplain Assistant killed in action since 1970. The US Army Chief of Chaplains distributed this message:
Dear Family and Friends of the US Army Chaplaincy,
It is with my deepest sympathy and my utmost respect that I must announce that on July 13, 2010 Sergeant Christopher Todd Stout, while serving as the Chaplain Assistant for the 1-508 Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, was Killed in Action in Afghanistan.
This is our first Chaplain Assistant Killed in Action since 1970 during the Viet Nam War. Sergeant Stout was a military professional of the highest caliber and a devout man of God whose love for Soldiers was only surpassed by his love for his Great God and Savior Jesus Christ. Read more…
A few months ago Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen told reporters
if there is either policy direction that someone in uniform disagrees with…and you feel so strongly about it — you know, the answer is not advocacy; it is in fact to vote with your feet.
The New York Times is reporting that those who oppose service by open homosexuals are beginning to wonder just how they can do that. Unlike General Mixon, the impetus of Mullen’s commentary, most servicemembers cannot simply resign. Many, even Read more…
News reports indicate a US Marine Harrier jet crashed in northern Florida on Sunday. The pilot, identified as Capt. Jarrod L. Klement in some reports, was reportedly transported to a hospital as a precautionary measure.
Canada has reportedly announced its intention to purchase the F-35 Lightning II to replace its CF-18 fighters.
Canada has been a funding partner in the F-35 program from its inception, though this marks the first time it announced a plan to purchase the aircraft.
The announcement has already been met with political opposition from within the Canadian government.
Army Chaplain (Capt.) James B. Russell has a unique perspective on the Chaplaincy. Once a nurse, now a Chaplain, Russell now serves in a similar but changed role.
“I could deal with people’s pain as a nurse, but as a chaplain, I can enter into people’s suffering.” Russell says the best part of being a chaplain now is the opportunity to speak to so many people. “Just to sit and be with someone is a gift from God…” Read more…
On the continuing theme of military papers discussing religion in the military comes Lt Col Jimmy M. Browning’s “Religious Expression or Religious Coercion: Commanders Caught in the Crossfire.” LtCol Browning, a Colonel-select, was an Air War College student when he published the paper in February of this year. He is also a USAF Chaplain.
The paper brings an interesting perspective to the “conflict” between those who believe in a right to religious expression and those who believe religious expression is de facto coercion in a military environment:
[The] Military Religion [sic] Freedom Foundation (MRFF) is one group that describes itself as a watchdog against religious coercion…These groups are especially leery of evangelical Read more…
The Associated Press reported that charges against US Army Lt Dan Choi and former Captain James Pietrangelo had been dropped. The charges were failure to obey police after they chained themselves, in Army uniforms, to the perimeter fence at the White House.
Prosecutor Christine Chang declined to comment on why the government dropped the case. Choi said he believes Obama administration officials didn’t want to draw attention to the policy.
While Pietrangelo would have to be recalled to active duty to face charges from the military, there are no public indications that Choi, who remains in the Army, will be charged for his political protest while wearing a uniform.
Choi had previously indicated his plans to subpoena the President.
Rabbi Daniel Lapin, an interesting and sometimes controversial American orthodox rabbi, has a fascinating interview at the Jewish Press that touches on Christianity in America. He discusses everything from the “threat” to Judaism of Christianity in America to his encouragement to wish Christians a “Merry Christmas” rather than Happy Holidays:
I think America has provided the most tranquil, prosperous, and durable haven for Jews in the last 2,000 years because it is a [religious] Protestant country, not in spite of it. Read more…
According to a recent official news release, the US Army is researching “alternative treatments to medication” in its efforts to compose a “comprehensive pain-management strategy” including acupuncture, meditation, yoga, and biofeedback.
The first three of those have some form of spiritual or ethereal undertones, almost exclusively from eastern religious traditions. The proposals, as discussed by Army surgeon general Lt. Gen. Eric B. Schoomaker, are an attempt to reduce the reliance on medication for every complaint.
Of course, religious faith does play a role in many aspects of life, including both physical and emotional healing. Campus Crusade’s military ministry (see Links) has invested considerable energy in creating faith-based resources for returning servicemembers struggling with PTSD.
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