Tag Archives: Religion

Prayer Brunch Marks Army Transfer of Authority

Soldiers, leaders, and Chaplains from two Army units met for a Sunday morning prayer brunch in Iraq

to celebrate the completion of…transferring operations…and to ask for God’s blessing in the journeys ahead for each unit.

The brunch also served as a reminder of the “comprehensive fitness” the Army considers essential, even before a crisis.  Chaplain (Maj) Brian Seidel said

The spiritual component of [a Soldier’s] total fitness is often undervalued till crisis. Sometimes we don’t appreciate the significance of spiritual fitness till we desperately need it. But we need it for all of life, the good and the bad.

US Army Soldier Practices Faith, Keeps His Duties

A US Army article highlights the faith and work ethic of PFC Ajmal Zada, an adherent of Islam who is observing Ramadan while still supporting his combat unit in Iraq.

Zada notes he joined the Army with trepidation over how his religious beliefs would be accepted:

“When I first joined the military, I was scared that I was not going to be allowed to practice my religion,” Zada explained, describing his initial fear of enlisting. “But my chain of command and the chaplains have all been very helpful and supportive, and I have had no problems.”

Not only has the US Army been supportive of Zada’s religious freedom, his Read more

Marines Told to Avoid Talking God, Farting in Afghanistan

A writer for the Marine Corps Times bemoans the topic of “farts” in a recent article.

So here’s the news:  audible farting has been banned for some Marines downrange because it offends the Afghans…

Of course, that’s not the only cultural guidance they get:

They’re not supposed to cuss because it could be misunderstood (that one goes out the window a lot). And they stay away from talking about politics, religion or girls because those Read more

Spirit of Fort Hood Warrior and Family Chapel Campus Opens

As previously noted, Fort Hood has opened the first phase of a 7 year, $27 million dollar effort to support the spiritual and resilience needs of US Army Soldiers.  The campus will provide the largest facility in the US Army with the ability to serve the largest Army population in the service.

Chief of Chaplains Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Don Rutherford joined III Corps and Fort Hood Commanding General Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood Command Sgt. Major Arthur L. Coleman Jr., Fort Hood chaplains and members from the community for the dedication ceremony, which officially opened The Spirit of Fort Hood Warrior and Family Chapel Campus.

Chaplain Rutherford praised the Army’s support of the Chaplaincy, which supports Army Soldiers.

“This campus is the latest Read more

Navy Chaplains Allege Discrimination

In a legal battle that has been ongoing for more than 20 years, a group of 65 Navy Chaplains has been claiming that a group of specific-faith leaders in the Navy has culled faiths different than their own from the Chaplaincy.

Attorney Arthur Schulcz had a statistician analyze Navy Chaplain promotion rates and found statistically significant preference for Catholic and liturgical Protestant denominations over “more evangelical” denominations.

Schulcz has filed for an injunction to prevent the next promotion board from meeting under the same conditions that have generated this discrepancy.

Numbers on US Contributions to Libyan Civil War

The Stars and Stripes published a “by the numbers” of the US efforts to support the rebels in Libya.  Among the list:

  • 19,877 total sorties (5,357 U.S. sorties)
  • 262 U.S. strike sorties that dropped ordnance
  • 101 predator drone strikes
  • $896 million in total cost to the U.S. (through July 31)
  • $222 million in U.S. arms and fuel sales to participating allies
  • $12.5 million in non-lethal U.S. aid (food, medical supplies, etc.)
  • 120,000 Halal ready-to-eat meals (delivered to Benghazi in May)

It seems the US military was accommodating even to the (at least perceived) religious needs of the rebels in Libya.

Soldier: The Lord had Something Else Planned for Me

An Army.mil article describes the story of the crew of a mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicle, or MRAP, that was struck by a vehicle borne IED.  The three Soldiers were Sgt. Victor Pamplona (driver), Spc. Chad Mitschelen (gunner), and Sgt. Juan Montelongo (truck commander), and they were deployed to Iraq.

The article briefly covers the explosion and aftermath.  One of the more interesting parts of the story is the varied reactions of the three-man crew.

Pamplona recalled the incident through a theological lens.  Read more

Marines Share Ramadan with Local Afghans

A military release discusses the celebration of Ramadan by local Afghan soldiers with whom the US military operates.

The article notes that Capt Daniel Petronzio, mentioned last week for his interaction with local mullahs, is “experiencing the fast firsthand.”

“With the food, it’s not so bad,” said Petronzio…”But the afternoon is definitely the most difficult time because of the dehydration…But it has shown to me what the [ANA] soldiers are going through, and that going out during the day could be dangerous. And, it’s an honor to go through the same thing they are and have a more intimate understanding of Ramadan.”  Read more

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