The Voice from the Pulpit: Can the Department of Defense Regulate the Political Speech of Military Chaplains?
Abstract
Efforts by the Department of Defense (DoD) to accommodate the religious development and fulfillment of its personnel have created a number of extremely complex and challenging legal dilemmas. The mere existence of the military chaplaincy program, fully funded by the government and older than the Constitution itself, is a constitutional anomaly. While the military cooperates in this programmatic effort to fulfill the religious needs of its personnel, servicemembers remain subject to regulations that protect the military's interests in good order and discipline and a politically disinterested force. The near complete absence of legal challenges to these regulations is a testimonial to the military's sensitivity toward religion and its ability to successfully accommodate the variety of religious practices. The harmonious relationship that typically exists between the commander and the chaplain is due in large part to the beneficial effect of spiritual development on military personnel. The spiritual enlightenment and guidance of military servicemembers occurs at a personal level and advances the military's goal of high morale and an effective fighting force. For example, the Air Force has undertaken significant efforts to instill the core values of integrity, excellence, and service before self in its members. chaplains have stated the belief that "Air Force core values have always been, and will continue to be, Chaplain Service core values."1 Others have put the point more succinctly: "I would encourage chaplains to be the core values."2 So long as the religious guidance is consistent with the advancement of the military's interests, conflicts are unlikely to arise.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 07, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA358531
Entities
People
- John A. Carr
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology