Tag Archives: uss bataan

USS Bataan Sailors Receive Transgender Training

Sailors aboard the USS Bataan received their mandatory “transgender training” somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean:

“All commands are mandated to have this training from the Navy,” said Ms. Ingrid Smith, Bataan’s deployed resiliency counselor. “They want Sailors to know that transgender or individuals who identify as transgender will now be allowed to actively serve in the Navy.

Interestingly, the article goes out of its way to qualify what the “training” actually is: Read more

Navy NCO Promotes “Gay pride” over “Twisted” Religious Dogma


US Navy Photo by MC3 Erik Foster

Senior Chief Hospital Corpsman Tom Guest (an E-8, or senior enlisted Sailor, for those unfamiliar with Navy rank) spoke at a homosexual/transgender “pride” event on the underway USS Bataan on June 25th. His topic was “What Exactly Do We Mean by GAY PRIDE?”

He provided a variety of potential answers, including

GAY PRIDE is about owning who we are, whether we are butch dykes, fem queens, or the always coveted “Straight Acting” gay.

Chief Guest also noted that the ship’s leadership had been supportive Read more

The US Military and Christmas Around the World

A few examples of the US military’s commitment to supporting its servicemembers through their religious celebrations:

At Ali Al Salem in Kuwait, a Christmas Eve candlelight service was the “culminating event over the month of celebration.”

US Army Chief of Chaplains MajGen Donald Rutherford presided over a Christmas Eve Catholic Mass at Camp Buehring, Kuwait.

Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Norton Schwartz Read more

USS Bataan Raises Church Pennant for Burial at Sea

The USS Bataan recently conducted a burial at sea for former US Navy Sailors, some veterans from World War II.

“Raise the church pennant and lower the colors to half mast,” was spoken in a solemn and firm tone over the ship’s general announcing system. The ensign was lowered and the burial detail prepared to send their shipmates to the deep…

“Being buried at sea is meaningful,” said Bataan Chaplain Cmdr. Steven Souders. “It has tradition. So as Sailors begin to see these traditions, it begins to build that legacy in them.”

The families…will receive a ceremonial folded flag, and the shell casings from the rounds fired during the 21-gun salute. A letter from the captain, a chart listing the latitude and longitude of where the cremains were committed, and still photos of the ceremony will also be provided.

The use of a “church pennant” may be unfamiliar to most.  Under US law (4 USC 1) the Naval church pennant is the only flag or pennant which may be flown Read more

Sailors, Cadets, Midshipmen Discharged for Using “Spice”

There are often long discussions on the military’s ability to influence or govern the private conduct of its members — whether over issues of alcohol, chewing tobacco, smoking, divorce, sexuality, or other aspects of what many people consider behavior unrelated to “official” conduct.  As has been shown in many cases, the military can (and does) regulate the behavior of its troops, even when potential restrictions may be entirely legal and permissible in civilian life.

The use of “spice,” which is reportedly unregulated and commonly available in smoke shops and related retail outlets, is one such example.  While it may be entirely legal for a civilian to purchase and “use” spice, which is described as a “synthetic marijuana” with components difficult to detect with normal drug tests, most military Read more