Atheists in the Army?

P

pup

New member
From what I understand people in boot camp are told to pick a church of their choice and attend. What happens if you are an Atheist in the military? How are Atheists treated in the Army or military in general?
 
I was never told to pick a church and attend. In fact in basic the drill sergeants were damned annoyed at releasing us for services when they wanted us polishing the barracks floors instead. Come to think of it, the Army never encouraged me to be religious in any way. They encouraged me to be an excellent professional soldier, good at my job and constantly better myself. The few fellow soldiers that were devout would argue with me and try to convert me, especially since I was morally no different from them, as opposed to being a bar-hopping whore-chaser as some soldiers were. But for the most part I was left completely alone about religion, and as far as I could tell, so was everyone else. Certainly no one in my chain of command ever said anything one way or the other. I understand the Air Force Academy has been taken over by Christian zealots, but the academies have always had that tradition. Private soldiers are not so indoctrinated.
 
I was never told to pick a church and attend. In fact in basic the drill sergeants were damned annoyed at releasing us for services when they wanted us polishing the barracks floors instead. Come to think of it, the Army never encouraged me to be religious in any way. They encouraged me to be an excellent professional soldier, good at my job and constantly better myself. The few fellow soldiers that were devout would argue with me and try to convert me, especially since I was morally no different from them, as opposed to being a bar-hopping whore-chaser as some soldiers were. But for the most part I was left completely alone about religion, and as far as I could tell, so was everyone else. Certainly no one in my chain of command ever said anything one way or the other. I understand the Air Force Academy has been taken over by Christian zealots, but the academies have always had that tradition. Private soldiers are not so indoctrinated.
 
Atheists in Foxholes

Atheists in foxholes, some say they are myths,
Creations of the mind who just don't exist.

Yet, they answered the call to defend, with great pride.
With reason their watchword, they bled and they died.

They took Saratoga from the British crown,
Secured America's freedom at the Battle of Yorktown.

From Sumter to Appomattox, fields flowed with their blood.
When the cannons grew silent, the flag proudly stood.

From the Marne to the Argonne, in trenches and tanks,
They defeated the Germans -- the whole world gave thanks.

They were bombed at Pearl Harbor, fought on to Berlin.
Many freethinking women served along with the men.

Still war keeps erupting -- Iraq, Bosnia, and Kosovo.
Where is the peace that eludes people so?

It is broken by tyrants who bear crosses and creeds,
That overshadow reason with hate and cruel deeds.

So atheists prevail until your work is complete.
Mothers mourn, children cry, and bigots plan your defeat.

By air, land, and sea, you answer freedom's call.
Without god or faith, you seek liberty for all.
 
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