A local reporter is “downrange” covering the deployment of Nevada Army National Guard soldiers in Afghanistan.
He notes what seems like a unique situation but is, in fact, not uncommon — a member from one unit supporting another unit, from a different state: Read more
FoxNews repeats the Politico report noting the US Army pulled a cross off the front of a US military chapel at Camp Marmal, Afghanistan, which was dedicated just a few months ago.
Before and after courtesy photo originally published at Politico.com.
At first, this situation seems similar to the US Army’s removal of crosses from the chapel in Kosovo a few years ago.
However, the current issue is actually somewhat more complex.
First, US military policies are not necessarily Read more
In reference to Capt Ryan Jean’s efforts to become an atheist lay/faith leader, Brad Hirschfield, a Rabbi and writer at the Washington Post‘s On Faith, explains “Why the military needs atheist chaplains:”
The U.S. military needs atheist chaplains. Why? Because members of the military have requested them, and the core value of the chaplaincy is to serve the needs of those serving our nation.
If it was that easy, every military base would have a Hooters Read more
It has been said here often that the US military can provide an excellent example of religious freedom to other nations who have yet to fully grasp that human liberty. Unfortunately, in efforts to shore up support with locals, it seems the local religion may get emphasized more than religious freedom. For example, messages from Afghanistan often tout the United States’ respect for, support of, and even defense of the religion of Islam — rather than its respect, support, and defense of religious freedom.
US military chaplains may be an exception to those omissions. Within the Read more
Atheists in the US Army continue to criticize the Army’s Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program and its Global Assessment Tool. One portion of it is intended to help Soldiers assess their spiritual fitness — to which some atheists have objected, both in letter and principle. Much like their opposition to anything “bigger” or “higher” than themselves, the atheists’ objection to the principle of spiritual fitness has caused them to see offense even in non-“religious” questions, like whether or not their lives have purpose.
Capt. Ryan Jean wanted to perform well on the Army’s psychological evaluation for soldiers. But he also wanted to answer the questions honestly. So when he was asked whether he believed his life had a lasting purpose, Jean, an atheist, saw no choice but to say no.
Apparently military atheists claim no lasting purpose in their lives. Honestly.
Unfortunately, the article conflates two separate questions with which Read more
Rabbi Michael Gisser officially became a Chaplain in the US Army Reserve on Veteran’s Day. Why Veteran’s Day?
“I wouldn’t be here if not for the U.S. Army and the Allied forces,” said Gisser, the associate chaplain for Jewish life at Wake Forest University…
His father, a native of Lodz, Poland, was a prisoner in Read more
The Jewish publication JTA documents the story of Joshua Knobel, a former Army officer now completing training to become a Rabbi — and maybe an Army Chaplain.
When West Point’s Jewish chaplain left the academy during Joshua Knobel’s freshman year, Knobel filled in for him, running Jewish prayer services at the military school’s chapel.
In the years following his 2001 graduation, Knobel led services Read more
US Army Chaplain (Capt) Todd Cheney tells the inspiring story of how a young member of his civilian congregation joined the Army, got married, and was killed soon after in combat in Afghanistan — and how Adam Kinser’s sacrifice led him to the chaplaincy.
“I was so touched by this young man’s service,” Cheney said…
This was when Cheney first Read more