Tag Archives: Military

Military Aviation, God Willing

Stars and Stripes penchant for finding religion in a story continues with its headline “Wing and a prayer.”  The title is evidently a reference to the Islamic “cultural view” cited in the article:

The members of the air corps are “the cream of the cream of the crop” when it comes to the Afghan army, Rennell said. Still, an “inshallah” (God willing) mind-set dominates the ranks, a cultural view that clashes with the strict protocols required for operating highly technical aircraft.

While insha’allah is traditionally compared with the Southern Baptist “Lord willin’,” others have considered it more a statement of realism or fatalism.  In what may be an urban legend based on stereotype, stories have been told about Islamic pilots Read more

Chaplain Foley, Motivational Speaker

US Army Chaplain (Capt) Matt Foley has an odd claim to fame.  Yes, he is that “Matt Foley:” the Saturday Night Live motivational speaker played by Chris Farley.  He and Farley played rugby together in college, and Farley would ultimately promise to use Foley’s name when he acted out the character.

A local news article relates Foley’s motivation and history in becoming a Catholic priest and military Chaplain. As has been noted before, there is a shortage of Catholic Chaplains in the US military, a problem that has Foley “FOB-hopping” around Afghanistan serving the needs of Catholic (and other) soldiers.

Foley’s reputation at Bagram is Read more

Mount Soledad Cross Case at Appeals Court

The decades-long battle to remove the Mount Soledad cross from the hills of San Diego is once again at the appeals court.  In various formats, lawsuits have challenged the Mount Soledad cross for years.  In this most recent iteration, the US District court in July 2008 ruled in favor of those who support the cross remaining at its current location.

The basic complaint is that the cross is an inherently religious symbol, and by sustaining it on public land, the US government violates the Constitutional prohibition against “establishing” a religion.

The ACLU, which is representing the plaintiffs, has had to defend itself against accusations that it wants to remove crosses (and any memorials with them) from all public lands–including military cemeteries.  An attorney for the American Legion, Read more

US Military Provides Diverse Spiritual Support

A legitimate question that all new members of the military (or those aspiring to be) have is to what degree they will be able to exercise their religious faith while in the service.  Regardless of the service, the role of the US military corps of Chaplains is to ensure the troops’ access to free exercise of their religion, as well as act as a focal point for the protection of religious freedom within the military.  Such freedoms are restricted only as necessary by the needs of the military mission.

While an occasional complaint makes the news implying that the military supports only a single religion, a veritable plethora of counterexamples undermine that claim.  Recently, the Pulaski County Daily Read more

US Air Force Flies “Beast of Kandahar”

Military.com and FoxNews are two of several sites repeating articles that say the US Air Force has acknowledged a new UAV “shrouded in secrecy.”

Grainy photos show what appears to be a flying-wing aircraft, which was reportedly initially photographed flying over Afghanistan in 2007.

If nothing else, it is worth remembering that the US military is in a constant effort to field the best systems and weaponry.  Because such systems are often developed and employed in secrecy, sometimes that’s an easy thing to forget.

Dream Jobs in the US Air Force

The Air Force Times carried a short article on “Dream Jobs” in the Air Force.  While it appears to have been a slow news day, it is worth noting that Air Force members can often participate in some very unique, challenging, and downright fun career fields–some that they may not even have considered or knew existed.  As a recent article pointed out, one AF pilot even went to fly with the US Marines.

The AF Times article lists Aggressor Pilot, Test Pilot, and Thunderbird among a list of other career fields that include Enlisted Aide and VIP Flight Attendant.

Not every job in the Air Force, or the military, is as “cool” Read more

Chaplains Guard Constitutional Rights

As noted here late last year, the US military has increased its public relations emphasis on the virtues of its Chaplaincy and spiritual environment.  This was likely to counter allegations and perceptions of religious intolerance or impropriety within the US military.  All of the military branches now routinely publish news releases on Chaplains of varying faiths selflessly serving their troops, as well highlighting the inclusive spiritual atmosphere within the US military.

An article from Keesler Air Force Base appears to be the most blunt to date.  Entitled “Chaplains guard constitutional right to religious freedom,” it features Chaplain (Capt) Charles Mallory reciting Read more

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