“After organizing, planning, and coordinating a Strong Bonds retreat for his Battalion soldiers that was to begin Friday, 12 September 2014, the…chaplain was notified [on] 10 Sept. a same-sex couple had just signed up for the retreat. Chaplains [of this faith group] cannot participate in such events because their historical, orthodox Christian theology and beliefs do not recognize same-sex marriages. To participate in events that in any way legitimize such unions is a violation of [their] statement of faith and doctrine.

“The…chaplain reported the problem to his commanding officer and suggested the couple be asked if they would prefer to attend a Strong Bonds retreat conducted by a chaplain who could specifically minister to their specific same-sex needs, a practice used by other chaplains in similar situations. The commander agreed. But the brigade chaplain, after being briefed on the situation, told the…chaplain (a) he could not ask the same-sex couple if they would prefer an alternative and (b) another chaplain would replace the…chaplain.

“When the…chaplain informed his commanding officer another chaplain would be conducting the retreat because he would be unable to attend it, the commander’s initial reaction was he wanted his chaplain to conduct the retreat and told the chaplain he would be fired if he could not do that. That threat was removed after [the endorsing agency] informed the Chief of Chaplains Office’s of the situation and informed the command the NDAA protected the chaplain’s actions.

“This incident illustrates the Army’s polarizing, demonizing, and prejudicial policies that fail to recognize the same-sex marriage issue rests on a clear theological divide. The policy of not protecting historic, orthodox Christian chaplains when scheduling Strong Bonds retreats places the conduct of such events in the hands of same-sex couples, giving them veto over a chaplain’s role and responsibility to minister to his soldiers and compromising the chaplain’s role and effectiveness as a unit chaplain…

“The failure to recognize that there are soldiers who, like [these] chaplains, have faith-based reservations about same-sex marriage and relationships and may choose not to participate in events involving same-sex couples can promote animosity. Changing chaplains at the last minute can be perceived as “bait and switch”, and provides an incentive for soldiers to search elsewhere for their spiritual nourishment and community.”

As reported by the endorsing agency.  And yet some would say the repeal of DADT has been a “non-event.”

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