Rumsfeld in 2001 invited some local #Muslim leaders to the #Pentagon to gauge their feelings about how the admin was communicating, said a chaplain who was at the meeting.

Around that time, the Navy Chaplain Corps changed its motto from “Cooperation Without Compromise” to “Called to Serve All.” The change aimed to emphasize that #chaplains served everyone in their command, no matter the faith.

#law #Trump #Hegseth #Constitution #FreedomOfReligion #Evangelism #military #war #NationalSecurity

An investigative panel in 2005 said some academy officials used their positions to promote *their* understanding of #Christianity & didn’t accommodate the religious needs of non-Christians.

President George W. Bush & Donald Rumsfeld, in the years after 9/11, spoke often about de-emphasizing any #religious differences between #US #troops & their enemies.

#law #Trump #Hegseth #Republicans #Constitution #FreedomOfReligion #Evangelism #military #war #NationalSecurity #geopolitics #USpol

Experts say in the 1990s, 20 years after the draft ended, the #military shifted to pull disproportionately from #conservative-leaning areas of the country. Then the terrorist attacks of Sept 11, 2001, pushed ideas of #religious #war into the fore. The Air Force Academy in the 1990s & early 2000s faced investigations & #litigation over allegations that #religious #intolerance & #proselytizing were rampant.

#law #Trump #Hegseth #Constitution #FreedomOfReligion #Evangelism #NationalSecurity #USpol

“I don’t approve of cramming your #religious faith down people’s throats, & when the top of the chain couches these operations in this hyper-#Christian tone, it flies in the face of the #FreedomOfReligion that the #Constitution enshrines & that our men & women in uniform sign up to defend.”

#law #Trump #Hegseth #Republicans #Constitution #Evangelism #NewApostolicReformation #NAR #military #war #NationalSecurity #geopolitics #USpol

“The Secretary’s prayer services undoubtedly improve morale for those who choose to attend & are constitutionally protected. No special treatment or punishment is given as a result of one’s choice to attend these prayer services.” [sure, Jan.]

#law #Trump #Hegseth #Republicans #Constitution #FreedomOfReligion #Christianity #Evangelism #NewApostolicReformation #NAR #military #war #NationalSecurity #geopolitics

They feel they can’t voice their concerns to their superiors, & feel their work as the primary advocate for #troops’ spiritual, mental & moral #health is being threatened.

“I’ve had people tell me they’re not included in staff meetings,” Manner said.

A snr #Army civilian who has worked in the #Pentagon for decades said people who work there are afraid to talk to one another or their superiors about concerns over #Hegseth’s actions.

#law #Trump #FreedomOfReligion #Evangelism #military

Ret Army Maj Gen Randy Manner, who was second-in-command at the #NationalGuard 2011–2012, has worked in recent years to train hundreds of #interfaith #military #chaplains. Manner said he has talked with “dozens & dozens” of active-duty chaplains in recent weeks who say those who don’t identify with #Hegseth “are being marginalized.”

#law #Trump #Constitution #FreedomOfReligion #Christianity #Evangelism #NewApostolicReformation #war #NationalSecurity

The Pentagon’s shift from previous historical norms is dangerous, according to multiple former high-ranking #military officials, heads of #chaplain corps, some #veterans groups, current #Pentagon staff & current officers, some of whom spoke on the condition of anonymity to avoid retribution from the #Trump admin.

#law #Hegseth #Republicans #Constitution #FreedomOfReligion #Christianity #Evangelism #NewApostolicReformation #NAR #war #NationalSecurity #geopolitics

His social media profile & public comments routinely espouse *his* understanding of #Christianity, which is one that would dominate American life & cast those who disagree with him as God’s enemies. #Hegseth has brought clergy from his small Christian denomination to preach at the #Pentagon, including a prominent pastor who says #women shouldn’t have the right to #vote.

#law #Trump #Constitution #FreedomOfReligion #Evangelism #NewApostolicReformation #NAR #military #war #NationalSecurity