Tag Archive: basic training

Dec 11 2012

Considering a military career? What every atheist needs to know first.

believe in yourself

Dear Justin, I am considering joining the Navy, and would like advice on how to go about it as an atheist. What do I tell the recruiter? Are there atheist chaplains? What do I put on dog tags as my religion? Is being an atheist in the military looked at like being gay/lesbian, in regards …

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Oct 10 2012

Heroic whistle-blower in Army’s mandatory candlelight prayer scandal

800 junior soldiers attended mandatory suicide-prevention training, and were given plastic battery-powered candles. A chaplain talked for a while, telling the soldiers they must turn to god to keep themselves going in tough times. Eventually he dimmed the lights and instructed everyone to turn on their candles. The chaplain then lead them in a sectarian …

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Apr 14 2012

The writing is on the wall at boot camp (literally)

Fort Jackson bathroom stall

A brand new foxhole atheist sent me a few pictures from his cell phone. He’s in ‘hell week’ or ‘reception week’ of basic training. In a few days, his phone will be confiscated by his drill sergeants. He’ll get it back when he’s a soldier. This is Fort Jackson, SC. These posters are not government …

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Sep 28 2011

U.S. Marine briefly arrested for not attending “all faiths” religious service

He ordered me to get in line again. I disobeyed and went to sit on my pack until the service was over. He came back very pissed. He arrested me for disobeying a direct order. He even Mirandized me.

:)