And as chair of the #JointChiefs of Staff in the late 2000s, with #troops in Iraq & Afghanistan, Navy Admiral Mike Mullen kept Mass off his public schedule, aiming to keep the particulars of his Catholic faith private.

But those longtime norms are being upended by the #proselytizing #Christian campaign of #Defense Sec Pete #Hegseth, say multiple former high-ranking #military officials & experts on #religion & #law.

#law #Trump #Constitution #FreedomOfReligion #NewApostolicReformation #NAR #war

Rather than boosting cohesion through a more universal spiritual uplift, they say, the new approach violates the #Constitution & undermines the bonds of mutual #respect between #troops that are essential, especially in #wartime.

Every month at the #Pentagon, #Hegseth hosts #evangelical worship services that #legal experts say are unprecedented.

#law #Trump #Republicans #Constitution #FreedomOfReligion #Christianity #NewApostolicReformation #NAR #military #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

And in recent weeks, the #war with
#Muslim-majority #Iran has only made Hegseth’s approach more stark.

On Wednesday at the #Pentagon, #Hegseth prayed for #US #troops to inflict “overwhelming violence of action against those who deserve no mercy…We ask these things with bold confidence in the mighty & powerful name of Jesus Christ.” Later that day, his department announced #military #chaplains would no longer wear their rank on their uniform & instead would wear #religious insignia.

#Trump #law

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

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

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

The #Army civilian, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they fear of being punished at work or fired, said limits that used to exist around #proselytizing have evaporated under #Hegseth. The situation, the person said, is “terrifying.”

If #troops are trained to believe that “God is on our side,” the person said, “what precludes us from doing anything we want to win? The strength of our #military is our people, & their sense of belonging to their unit & their service.”

#law #Trump