An article summarizing USAFA Superintendent LtGen Gould’s first year at the helm contained an interesting anecdote about a cadet “proselytized” by a Chaplain last summer:  

Diversity and a culture of respect go hand-in-hand, General Gould said, adding that he is pleased with the culture of respect that has developed at the Academy in recent years. He recalled the story of a basic cadet from the Class of 2013 who complained of having been proselytized when the cadet went to see a chaplain. 

“It was handled within the Cadet Wing, up through the air officers commanding, through the leadership to where we could put the pieces together with no retribution toward anyone,” he said. “The individual who felt…forced or coerced into a certain type of belief was able to talk about it, and we ironed it out right there. We have to have that environment where we respect one another for our backgrounds and for our beliefs, no matter what they are. That’s the only way I know we can have a strong team.”

Though the story is undoubtedly intentionally non-specific, it appears that whatever occurred required a simple clarification, whether on one party or both.  It certainly seems as though it required no public scandal or cries of persecution to alleviate.

Note, too, that Gould emphasized the use of the chain of command, to a complete and effective solution.  This likely served as a positive reminder of the efficacy of military supervision, as well as a stern reminder of the need to use the chain of command, rather than the press, as some are wont to do.