{"id":401,"date":"2009-08-21T01:00:18","date_gmt":"2009-08-21T05:00:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/christianfighterpilot.com\/blog\/2009\/08\/21\/military-religion-question-answered-mundy\/"},"modified":"2015-06-27T19:16:33","modified_gmt":"2015-06-27T22:16:33","slug":"military-religion-question-answered-mundy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/christianfighterpilot.com\/blog\/2009\/08\/21\/military-religion-question-answered-mundy\/","title":{"rendered":"Military Religion Question Answered: Mundy"},"content":{"rendered":"

Previously, a question was posed about the accuracy of an accusation against Marine Colonel “Sam” Mundy.\u00a0 The background and relevant video can be seen here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

So, did the Colonel, as the accusers assert, violate military regulations?<\/p>\n

The shortest, most accurate answer:\u00a0 No<\/em><\/strong>, not to our knowledge.<\/p>\n

In the initial article, it is not entirely clear what regulation the activists are claiming Colonel Mundy violated:<\/p>\n

In violation of military regulations, Lt. Col. Mundy appeared in full uniform on the Christian television program Total Victory Today<\/em>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Is it that he appeared on a TV show?\u00a0 Is it that he was in “full uniform” (is there a partial<\/em> uniform?)?\u00a0 Is it that the show was Christian?\u00a0<\/p>\n

In response to an incredulous query about what, exactly, the Colonel did wrong, the organization offered this clarification:<\/p>\n

A military member can’t appear in uniform when the media appearance is to promote a political or religious ideology.\u00a0 If LTC Mundy wanted to be on a Christian TV show, he should have done it in civilian clothes<\/em>. (emphasis added)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The activists reveal the nature of their offense:\u00a0 His mere presence<\/em> on a “Christian TV show” in uniform was sufficient for them to judge it a violation of regulations–even though they cited no regulations to support their accusation, and no military regulation says any such thing.<\/p>\n

What do the regulations actually say?\u00a0 Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>\n

Did the Colonel violate regulations because the show was “Christian?”<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Like the other services, the Marine Corps falls under Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 5410.18 governing public affairs and community relations activities.\u00a0 In paragraph 4.2.9, it says<\/p>\n

Community relations activities shall not support, or appear to support, any event that provides a selective benefit to any individual, group, or organization, including any religious or sectarian organization, ideological movement, political campaign or organization, or commercial enterprise, to include a shopping mall or motion picture promotion.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

On its face, it is apparent that Colonel Mundy’s interview did not provide a “selective benefit” to “any religious” organization.\u00a0 This assertion is supported by the next sentence in the regulation:<\/p>\n

When DoD support is provided to one non-Federal entity, the DoD Component commands or organizations providing such support must be able and willing to provide similar support to comparable events sponsored by similar non-Federal entities.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Assuming one misperceived the interview as “DoD support,” the Marines would simply have to be “able and willing” to support “comparable events by similar” agencies in order for the “benefit” to be non-selective.\u00a0 As the military routinely gives interviews to a wide variety of organizations, this criterion–were it required–has already been met.<\/p>\n

In fact, other regulations specifically permit<\/em> such media interaction.\u00a0 For example, SECNAVINST 5720.44B 0504 specifically says that<\/p>\n

The appearance of Navy or Marine Corps members in [educational, religious, local community-oriented talk show, etc.] programs is authorized<\/em> when [normal restrictions are met].\u00a0 [That is, no commercial endorsement, etc.] (emphasis added)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Marine Corps regulations (MCO P1020.34G) repeat the Secretary of the Navy instructions on uniform wear, which are specific regarding association with religious content (11003.1b):<\/p>\n

Members of the Navy and Marine Corps\u2026are prohibited from wearing uniforms of the naval service while\u2026participating in [any] activity [when its purpose] is the furtherance of personal or partisan views on political\u2026or religious issues except\u2026
\n(1) In connection with official duties or as otherwise authorized in advance by competent authority; or
\n(2) Incident to attendance at or participation in a bona fide religious service or observance.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Regardless of the exceptions (which do not apply), it is evident that neither the interview nor Colonel Mundy\u2019s statements, as filmed and publicized, furthered partisan views on religious issues–even though the organization itself may espouse them.\u00a0 Thus, his wear of the uniform was not prohibited by this paragraph.\u00a0 This conclusion is supported by the next paragraph in the same regulation:<\/p>\n

Authorization to wear the uniform should be granted<\/em>\u2026when\u2026the service member’s appearance in uniform at the particular event, viewed objectively, is not for the purpose of lending substantial weight or significance to privately held convictions or interests; would not be so construed by an observer; and that the\u2026activity does not relate to matters in public controversy. (emphasis added)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Colonel Mundy\u2019s appearance was not for the purpose of promoting<\/em> his own convictions, as is plainly evident by his own words: He never even stated what his “convictions” were.\u00a0 Some people on both sides will undoubtedly be disappointed that Colonel Mundy never said the words “Jesus Christ,” “Christian,” “faith,” or anything other than “pray” or “God.”\u00a0 The interview was about as generic as was grammatically possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Colonel Mundy and his interviewer discussed very little other than the facts of his involvement in the Marines and Operation Iraqi Freedom<\/em>.\u00a0 Indeed, most of the discussion involved what being in combat was like, not anything about being particularly religious.\u00a0 In addition, Colonel Mundy’s comments were restricted to his experiences; he never mentioned the organization giving the interview or a specific religious sect.\u00a0<\/p>\n

There was<\/em> a cross on the stage (though some have had to watch the video more than once\u00a0to see it), and\u00a0the show\u2019s logo on the screen had an integrated cross.\u00a0 On the show, the interviewer is identified by name only (Greg Coppock is listed as a pastoral assistant at a Southern California church), and no organization is mentioned by name other than Total Victory Today <\/em>(it appears to be an independent organization).<\/p>\n

While the Colonel evidently had a personal relationship with the interviewer, the execution of the interview was on par with those given to a variety of other organizations.\u00a0 The Marine regulation says that approval for his appearance should have been the default<\/em> position.\u00a0 Approval should<\/em> have been granted if, objectively viewed, the event did not lend (or appear to lend) “substantial weight” to a private interest.<\/p>\n

Thus, the Colonel was in compliance with regulations<\/strong> regarding his association, in uniform, with religious references.<\/p>\n

Colonel Mundy\u2019s interview did not endorse or benefit a sect or movement.\u00a0 He did not endorse or support a non-Federal entity.\u00a0 By regulation, Colonel Mundy was specifically authorized to appear on the show.\u00a0 Because his participation did not further a partisan view on religious issues, the wear of his uniform was not prohibited; in fact, by regulation, the expectation<\/em> is that he would<\/em> be approved to wear the uniform.<\/p>\n

The only fact not in the public domain is whether or not Colonel Mundy formally received permission to wear his uniform.\u00a0 With due respect to those who demand government transparency, there is no regulation under which Colonel Mundy or the Marines are currently obligated to provide that information.\u00a0 Regardless, no one has raised\u00a0the question of permission.<\/p>\n

The accusation that the purpose of Colonel Mundy\u2019s “media appearance [was] to promote<\/em> a\u2026religious ideology” (emphasis added) is patently false.\u00a0 The conclusory allegation that \u201cif [he] wanted to be on a Christian TV show, he should have done it in civilian clothes,\u201d is unsubstantiated and demonstrably wrong.<\/p>\n

Thus, the perfunctory indictment that Colonel Mundy was in “violation of military regulations”–particularly without any reference<\/em> to said regulations–is inflammatory and irresponsible.\u00a0 It is evidence of a “pattern and practice” of publicly promoting unsubstantiated accusations of wrongdoing when military members associate themselves with the Christian faith.\u00a0 The goals are to officially ostracize public expressions of faith, and unofficially stigmatize them to the point that they are self-censored.<\/p>\n

As expected, these allegations are being accepted at face value, despite the fact that they are unsubstantiated (and ultimately wrong).\u00a0 From a commenter to the article containing the accusations:<\/p>\n

So when do we Athiests [sic<\/em>], secularists and humanists finally put our power together politically?\u00a0 I for one will stand proud and admit by [sic<\/em>] bias for reason and logic over fear and groveling before the invisible tyrant we call “god”.\u00a0 If we don’t stand up and knock this BS out of our political\/military structure than [sic<\/em>] it will only be a matter of time before their power takes over and we get persecuted.\u00a0 It will happen.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Religion will KILL this country.\u00a0 It’s truly terrifying and must be investigated. Thank you, thank you, thank you MFRR [sic<\/em>] and Jeff Sharlet; I hope you guys are well protected against these so-called “Christian” zealots.\u00a0 God, I hate religion (sorry for the unintended pun).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Notably, however, the carelessness of the accusations has also been brought up by at least one commenter:<\/p>\n

And just how sure are you that LTC Mundy\u2026broke regulations?\u00a0 [H]ave you documented\u2026whether or not he had permission to speak on the show?\u00a0 If he did then he did nothing wrong and you are simply tarnishing the name of a man that is a fine Marine officer.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The commenter received no reply to what is, as has been pointed out, a very legitimate question.\u00a0 Another commenter asked what regulation was violated; in response, he was provided links to the UCMJ.\u00a0 The UCMJ is not relevant to the regulations in question, but it does show the ignorance that some have about the workings of the military command and control system.<\/p>\n

As clearly explained above and demonstrated by the unambiguous video, the evident and objective purpose of the media appearance was not<\/em> to promote a “religious ideology,” nor did either the Colonel or the organization use the interview to that end.\u00a0 Activists are free to object to the mere (and abstract) association of a military uniform with religion.\u00a0 However, they act irresponsibly when they “tarnish the good name” of a Marine by publicly\u00a0and falsely accusing him of wrongdoing, when they know that not to be true.<\/p>\n

Regrettably, this is a common technique:\u00a0 display what superficially appears to be offensive and call it illegal, unconstitutional, or a violation of regulations–but provide no facts to support that claim.\u00a0 Instead, they lead the readers to draw their “own,” though incorrect, conclusion.\u00a0 The nature of the offense is shocking enough to some that it won\u2019t matter that the accusation is later proven incorrect, inflammatory, and irresponsible.\u00a0 The damage to the image of the Christian faith in the US military is done.<\/p>\n

And that<\/em> is\u00a0the point.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Previously, a question was posed about the accuracy of an accusation against Marine Colonel “Sam” Mundy.\u00a0 The background and relevant video can be seen here. So, did the Colonel, as the accusers assert, violate military regulations? The shortest, most accurate answer:\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[4,2,5218,7,11],"class_list":["post-401","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-military-regulations","tag-churchandstate","tag-military","tag-military-religious-freedom-foundation","tag-mrff","tag-prayer"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianfighterpilot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/401","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianfighterpilot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianfighterpilot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianfighterpilot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianfighterpilot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=401"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/christianfighterpilot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/401\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/christianfighterpilot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=401"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianfighterpilot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=401"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/christianfighterpilot.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=401"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}