Tag Archives: tatjana christian

Army: Chaplain Violated Rules in Promoting Book

Update:  The US Army has responded by explicitly stating that Chaplain McDougall’s infraction was an “oversight” that was easily corrected.  This appears to be (yet another) a direct rebuttal to Mikey Weinstein’s call for court-martial.  Via TheBlaze:

Amy spokesman LTC Ben Garrett sent TheBlaze the following response on Monday afternoon:

“U.S. Army Chaplain Capt. John McDougall has been made aware of military regulations that prohibit him from wearing a military uniform while promoting his book.  His publishing company promptly removed the video from their website last week when the U.S. Army brought the oversight to their attention.  A simple ‘on the spot correction’ and an explanation of the regulations was all that was need[ed] to resolve the issue and keep it from happening in the future. We are pleased with their compliance and understanding of Army regulations and requirements.”

Original story follows:

The US Army says Chaplain John McDougall violated regulations when he appeared in a video, in uniform, promoting his recently published book, Jesus was an Airborne Ranger.  From the appropriately named Army spokeswoman, Tatjana Christian:

McDougall’s appearance in uniform endorsing a commercial or political venture violates military rules, said Tatjana Christian, an Army spokeswoman.

After they were contacted about the video by USA TODAY, the Army reached out to McDougall’s commanders to inform them about the rule, Christian said.

His comments were not part of his official duty, she said.

“Chaplains are authorized Read more

DoD Issues Ban on ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in Uniform

The US military told its service members not to participate in the near-viral “ice bucket challenge” while wearing a military uniform:

“ALS Association is a national non-profit organization,” [Army spokeswoman Tatjana Christian] wrote. “As such, participating in this event is subject to concerns about implied endorsement.”

The ban due to “implied endorsement” is interesting, given how many other things the US military has apparently endorsed — from a homosexual activist group, to Mikey Weinstein, and even the New England Patriots. Current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Marty Dempsey famously sang when he endorsed ThanksUSA, a “national non-profit organization” — just like the ALS association. Read more