The US Air Force was previously taken to task by Congress when it removed the Latin word for “god” from the Rapid Capabilities Office patch — because an atheist complained. (In fact, Rep Randy Forbes went so far as to say Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz “has been as bad as I have seen…in defending religious liberties.”
It seems the Air Force solved the patch problem: Read more
US Representative Randy Forbes (R-Va) has written a letter (PDF) signed by 35 members of the House asking the Air Force restore a unit’s motto that was changed after an atheist’s complaint. 
The incident to which Rep Forbes is referring was actually first reported on ChristianFighterPilot.com, with the Religion Clause and the ADF Alliance Alert subsequently citing this site.
As noted three weeks ago, the USAF Rapid Capabilities Office responded to “needling” from former Army Captain Jason Torpy, an atheist, and changed its motto from “Doing God’s work with other people’s money” to “Doing miracles with other people’s money.”
The letter, addressed to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz, says:
It has come to our attention that the US Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) has modified the logo on its official patch to remove its reference to “God,” following a complaint from Read more
You have to give Jason Torpy a little credit. Unlike Michael Weinstein, who is characterized by ellipses, alliterative vitriol, and threats of lawsuits, Torpy has demonstrated an ability to actually communicate with people and achieve at least some level of influence (that is, until he steps into more “controversial” areas.)
The one-man wonder that is the Military “Association” of Atheists and Freethinkers recently “needled” an Air Force agency into changing the motto that has graced their patch for some years.
The US Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office “expedites” acquisitions programs, many in “sensitive activities.” The RCO had a patch that, like many units’ patches, contained embedded in-jokes, clever double-speak, and probably even hinted at national secrets. Torpy’s beef? The slogan at the bottom:
Opus Dei Cum Pecunia Alienum Efficemus
“Doing God’s Work with Other People’s Money”
Apparently, the phrase “Doing God’s Work” is Read more
Contrary to the prior assertions of the Air Force Times, the US Air Force says it is not looking for a recruiting slogan; instead, it is in search of a “motto” that is “meant to endure.”
Colonel Groves made the distinction between temporary recruiting slogans and an official motto, which will be the service’s first.
“People may recall slogans such as ‘Aim High,’ ‘No One Comes Close,’ and ‘Cross Into the Blue’ seen in ad campaigns supporting recruiting efforts,” Colonel Groves said. “The Air Force motto, in contrast, is focused on building esprit-de-corps, and is meant to endure to future generations of Airmen.”
The goal is reportedly to have an Air Force motto within the year.
The Air Force Times notes that the US Air Force is looking for a new slogan to replace the “Above All” it came up with in 2008 (which was not without controversy, apparently).
All of the services spend a fair amount of time on marketing and recruiting (though the Marines are unique, saying you ask to join them). Just last fall the Navy created its new “A Global Force for Good” tagline. Each iteration from each service gets both praise and scorn, and a few years later it, too, gets replaced…