The Journal of Faith and War reprints a well-written commentary on the repeal of the policy most commonly known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the US military. Written by retired Cols Al Shine* and Don Snider, “The Right to be Wrong” forwards a simple premise: If homosexuality is to be permitted in the military, the military must have a decidedly — and explicitly — neutral stance between both opposing ideologies: Read more
It is important to start by saying that 10-year-old Braydon Nichols reminded the world a few days ago that more than just Navy SEALs died in the Chinook shootdown last week. His dad died, too; Army Chief Warrant Officer Bryan Nichols was the Chinook pilot. Seven other American military members died: the other 4 helicopter crew and three US Air Force Special Forces.
Stories are slowly leaking out, and the military has yet to announce more specifics on those killed. Family members, however, are telling some stories. [Updated below with names provided by the Department of Defense.]
As told by his widow, Kimberly Vaughn, Navy SEAL Aaron Vaughn was a “selfless” and noble man: Read more
Bill Donohue, president of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights, wrote a letter to General Edward Rice, the Commander of Air Education and Training Command. AETC oversees the training program at Vandenberg Air Force Base, which recently dropped a course because, depending on who you ask, it used Bible verses. Calling the Air Force’s decision to pull the class “wrongheaded,” he says
[T]here is absolutely nothing in the Constitution of the United States that disqualifies a presentation of St. Augustine’s “just war theory,” and related biblical references. In fact, the First Amendment protects freedom of speech, as well as religious liberty…Moreover, biblical passages are often cited when referencing the work of Rev. Martin Luther King. Should we similarly censor them?
I have read the materials used in the class, and can assure you that no one — save an anti-religious zealot — would find fault with them. I therefore urge you to stand fast against these bullies and do what is academically right and constitutionally protected: reinstate the class.
He also notes that Michael Weinstein is a Read more
In what may be one of the more unbiased presentations of the “media controversy” thus far, the Christian Post presents a somewhat fuller picture of the nuclear missile officer course that floated to the surface a few days ago. They are the first large media organization to highlight the fact the brief wasn’t exclusively Christian:
The section also cited biblical figures including Abraham, Samson and David as religious figures that fought wars in a righteous manner. Additionally, a picture of a menorah was featured on a slide highlighting the Maccabees’ revolt against their oppressors.
In fact, they are also the first to consciously highlight that the brief wasn’t even exclusively religious: Read more
A variety of news sources are now reporting the US Air Force ended a training class after an internet article belittled its religious content. Contrary to some assertions, this is actually not a big deal.
This much has been accurately reported: The Air Force training slides had Bible verses, and the course was led by a Chaplain. There was a public article. The Air Force pulled the course to “review it.”
Beyond that, much of the other reporting has been misrepresented or inaccurate.
The Air Force has suspended a training course for nuclear missile launch officers that used Bible passages and religious imagery to teach them about the ethics of war.
Unfortunately, that’s essentially a misrepresentation, likely because the conclusion was drawn solely from a copy of the slides used in the brief — sans notes or context. The course did not use Biblical citations to teach ethics. The ~40-slide PowerPoint presentation was an ethical discussion on the conduct of war, with emphasis on the application of nuclear weapons. (The title of the first seven slides is “Ethics;” the second section is “Nuclear Ethics and Nuclear Warfare.”)
The course’s focus was to address common Read more
Can you hold hands while in uniform? How about a kiss or embrace?
Believe it or not, those are some of the most often asked questions by new officers and enlisted — and in most cases, the answer wasn’t clear. Now, however, it’s in plain English: If you choose to do those things in uniform, you may well be in violation of the new Air Force regulations.
Last year, the Report of the Comprehensive Review of the Issues Associated with a Repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”, otherwise known as the report on the DADT survey, noted the ‘sensitivities’ of public displays of affection with respect to homosexuality. The working group made this observation: Read more
Articles from Iraq and Afghanistan highlight the importance of the military Chaplaincy and Chapels for US servicemembers deployed to war.
First, an Air Force article from Joint Base Balad, Iraq, notes the goals military members set in the deployed environment:
Many people on a deployment create goals such as getting in better physical shape or taking educational classes, but there is another area that is sometimes forgotten…spiritual fitness.
and the military’s remedy to the comprehensive fitness servicemembers need:
The mission of the…Wing Chapel is to ensure the free exercise of religion and promote spiritual fitness for the human weapon systems.
Chaplain (Col) George Meister explained the importance of the Chapel’s contribution to the getting the mission done: Read more
The Associated Press notes the beginning of training for four Afghan women who will ultimately be pilots in the Afghan Air Force. They are undergoing language training this year and will begin their pilot training next year.
The ladies brought attention to the fact Afghanistan isn’t like it used to be:
For women in Afghanistan, said Afghan Air Force 2nd Lt. Masooma Hussaini, it’s not like “it was in Taliban times.” Her sisters are in school, women work in offices and, by next year, Hussaini and three other young women could be among their country’s first females piloting military helicopters.
The article notes some men in Afghanistan may not be ready for the change. As the US begins its withdrawal, it will be interesting to see what becomes of the fledgling Afghan Air Force.