Atheists in Foxholes, in Cockpits, and on Ships

MAAF maintains a roster of Atheists in Foxholes, just in case there are any rumors that we don't exist. The next time you hear someone repeat that old myth, just send them here to see how atheists have served honorably in combat - always have, always will.

Besides the MAAF members below, keep in mind atheists in foxholes whose stories have been in feature stories and documentaries: Pat Tillman, Afghanistan war Army Ranger and football player, Hans Kasten, WWII POW leader, Phil Paulson, Vietnam Veteran and activist, Kurt Vonnegut, WWII POW and author, Ted Williams, WWII Veteran and baseball player, Ernest Hemingway, WWI Vet and author, Sherwin Wine, Founder of Humanistic Judaism, Major Sidney Excell, who arrested Heinrich Himmler, Bob Kerrey, former Governor and Senator, Navy Seal, and Medal of Honor recipient.

If you are in Washington, DC, you may want to honor Atheists in Foxholes with a visit to Arlington Cemetery. MAAF provides a Cemetery Tour to known gravesites. Also consider visiting the Monuments to Atheists in Foxholes in Talladega, AL and at their headquarters in Madison, WI.

MAAF has thousands of members, and this list is only a small subset of those who have chosen to speak out publicly. Member information is strictly confidential unless a member explicitly requests public recognition. If you would like to have your name listed here on this page, Join MAAF for a template and instructions.

MAAF is not affiliated with the Department of Defense or any government agency. Statements by individuals on the site are personal in nature and not representative of the DoD or any government agency unless otherwise noted.

The list of Atheists in Foxholes is over 200, starting with the most-recently submitted.

Army National Guard Specialist Joseph Couch

Specialty: Aviation Operations

Dates of Service: 2013 - present

There is no afterlife; this life is all we have. While some may think this is reason never to endanger oneself in the military I believe they are wrong. I enlisted to help people so that they can live their lives. Whether I help by rebuilding after a tornado, assisting pilots on a safe mission, or someday helping negotiate peace, it's always better to work for something than to pray for it.

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Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Lorant Bako

Specialty: Biomedical Technician

Dates of Service: Feb 2011-present

Tours of duty: 2011-2013 USNH Naples, Italy, 2015-2018 USNH Yokosuka, Japan



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Air Force Airman 1st Class Randall Moose

Specialty: Photojournalist

Dates of Service: June 2015-present

I was raised as a Southern Baptist. I was actually baptized twice. The first time I was baptized, was in reaction a sermon the pastor gave on Hell. He talked about sin, and how we would spend a eternity I hell for it. Hell was probably the most terrifying thing you could tell a 3 year old about. And so I was baptized. I began to question my faith at the age of 10. I had recently begun to read the Bible. Being an avid reader, I began to notice many flaws. Few things made sense. And no one could answer any of my questions. Out of fear I wanted to be baptized again to "renew" my faith. Once my pastor had dunked me, I rose from the water, and was disappointed. Over the years I transitioned from religious, to agnostic and finally an Atheist. While in basic, I had to find the Humanist/Atheist meeting myself, because the chapel had failed to mention it and no chapel guide would take me to it. But once I found it, I loved it. The open conversation on scientific and philosophical topics were a great way to spend my Sundays. And I was sad to discover that nothing like the Humanist/Atheist group existed elsewhere. I look forward to the daymthat Humanist/Atheist Chaplains and services are available everywhere.

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Army National Guard Master Sergeant Aangi Mueller

Photo May 2010, at the time Army 1SG Aangi Mueller. I had returned home from Iraq that day, and after our ceremony I drove three hours w my parents and daughter (shown here) to my younger brother's deployment ceremony to Egypt! Strong family ties, definitely no religious ones. Proud atheist and now a retiree.

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Air Force Major Chris Lehto

Specialty: F16 pilot

Dates of Service: 2000-present

Decorations: 2 air medals, all others standard (2xmeritorious service, commendation, korea defense etc...)

Tours of duty: Balad, Iraq 09/2005-01/2006

I applaud the ground fighters. They should do whatever they need to do for their difficult jobs. Especially the guys and girls standing in US uniforms in broad daylight in combat zones. If they need prayer and chaplains to help them so be it. But if it was me I wouldn't ask for it because I am an atheist and can't bring myself to believe in a christian god. I also don't believe in unicorns, santa claus (gasp), and the 4,200 other religions on this planet. But I am tired of bowing my head in prayer at every dinner function, change of command ceremony, and military function. A class graduates (most of them do by the way) and I have to bow my head and thank the lord for giving them the strength to get through this tough course. Of course if something did happen and someone did die then I would also have to bow my head in prayer for them not getting through the course? I don't get it, but fine you can believe whatever imaginary thing you want. I believe a founding principle of this country is freedom from religious persecution. The first sentence of the First amendment says "United States Constitution prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion." And yet because I am a military member and have to attend military functions I have to listen to religious invocation after invocation. I have great respect for the young men and women who have openly said they are atheists. I had "atheist" as my religion on my military records and then changed it. I was up for promotion and thought "atheist" would skew judgement. I only wish I had more courage to come out earlier and be more vocal like you guys. There is not a single open atheist in congress of any level of government (state and above). There is not a single secular chaplain. And yet over 20% of the general population, and of the military, claim no religious affiliation. I urge you to stand up for your beliefs and make it known that we exist, and that we are dedicated to making a positive influence on this world through moral and right acts, based on reasoning and human compassion, not ancient archaic beliefs. And yes we are in the military.

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Air Force Senior Airman Christopher Aviles

Specialty: Security Forces

Dates of Service: June 2011-Present

Decorations: AF Outstanding Unit Award (2/devices),AF Good Conduct Medal,National Defense Service Medal,Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal,Global War on Terrorism Service Medal,Humanitarian Service Medal,Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border,AF Longevity Service,AF Training Ribbon

Tours of duty: Operation Enduring Freedom, Al Dhafra AB 2013

Growing up I was told I was a Catholic, but was never taught the Bible or knew what was being said in Church. I have always followed my own secular belief which involved science (which includes peer reviewed empirical evidence), logic, reason, and humanitarianism. I came out as an Atheist when I was deployed and took the time to research and inform myself of the questions I had about the world . I realized simply, that my way of life, was shared by others called atheist/humanist. The quickest path to confirming my atheism was simply reading the Bible and the horrible things their God invokes. Ever since then the realization of the majority of Christians, along with other religions, are living their lives based on a book they have never read shook me. The idea of faith, which is belief without evidence or good reason, has always been a revolting notion. And I have been doing my part in freeing minds by education ever since. I'm good without any gods, and will continue to serve proudly in every aspect.

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Texas State Defense Forces Petty Officer 2nd Class Michael Marotta

Personal Site

Dates of Service: November 22, 2014 to present

Decorations: Texas Medal of Merit, Adjutant General's Individual Achievement Award, Meritorious Service, Humanitarian Service (2), NCO Professional Development (3), 3 Years of Service, Physical Fitness, Governor's Unit Citation

Tours of duty: Camp Swift, Bastrop, Texas

Serving in Texas State Defense Forces

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Army National Guard Specialist Richard Cotter

Specialty: Medic

Decorations: New York State Defense of Liberty Medal, Duty in Aid to Civil Authorities Medal



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Army Major Keira Brennan

Specialty: Civil Affairs/Chemical Corps

Dates of Service: 10/1987 - 2/2012

Decorations: Bronze Star, Joint Service Commendation, ARCOM, AAM, Humanitarian Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign, NATO Campaign Medal, Basic Parachutist Badge, USAF Space Operations Badge

Tours of duty: SOCEUR 2009-2010, ISAF 2007-2008, KFOR 2001-2002

My journey from a theistic life started in 2005. I had been in the closet my entire life and coming to grips with my identity (Bisexual female married to a woman) meant exploring what life looked like not having to feel "shamed" or being bad because of some invisible divine mandate. The sham of religion and contempt of the military Chaplaincy started in 2007 while on a tour in Afghanistan where a co-located unit's Bn Chaplain showed how contemptible Christians can to both a unit, a civilian population and mission. Further unraveling of my belief came in a 2010 visit to Egypt where I saw just how much Christian liturgies and ancient religions are basically the same --and all arguments to the contrary fail. As a retiree I want to support the younger generation of service members and recapture what Madison said about religion. "Strongly guarded as is the separation between religion and & Government in the Constitution of the United States the danger of encroachment by Ecclesiastical Bodies, may be illustrated by precedents already furnished in their short history." (Detached Memoranda, circa 1820).

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Marine 1st Lieutenant Matthew Lindauer

Point of Contact

Personal Site

Specialty: Manpower Officer

Dates of Service: Dec 2006 - Present

Tours of duty: Jul 2007 - Jan 2008 Marine Air Support Squadron 1, Camp Pendleton; Jan 2008 - Jan 2009 Marine Air Control Group 38 (Forward), Al Asad; Jan 2009 - Jul 2009 Marine Air Support Squadron 1, Camp Pendleton; Jul 2009 - Jul 2012 NROTC, Ohio State University; Jul 2012 - May 2013 The Basic School, Quantico; May 2013 - Present Marine Air Control Group 28, Cherry Point.

The U.S. Military is built upon mission type orders. They shape every decision service members make, whether it be which uniform to wear to which patrol route to take. We should hope that those orders are based upon humanity's best understanding of reality and not upon ancient myths or the unverifiable faith of religious individuals. As an atheist service member, I aim to claim my defense of reason and convince others to follow the likes of MAAF.

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Air Force Staff Sergeant Chris Jones

Personal Site

Specialty: Russian Linguist

Dates of Service: 2009-Current

Decorations: Joint Service Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (2)

I was raised going to church fairly regularly. It took me until around high-school to realize that I didn't believe in most of what was being said there. While I think that there are some good teachings about being decent to each other, concepts like heaven, hell, and some sort of god had lost traction with me. The book that I credit in helping me reach this conclusion was Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal by Christopher Moore. It took until I met a friend in the military who introduced me to modern Atheism. I understood that that's what I am. I don't believe in religion so why hide it any more? Those who truly care for me will support me. And I am lucky to have been supported by my wife and parents in my realization.

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Army Reserve Staff Sergeant Benjamin Garnett

Specialty: Musician

Dates of Service: Apr 2008 to present

Decorations: Army Commendation Medal (1OLC), Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (1OLC), Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (2nd Award)

In my civilian time, I reside in Louisville, KY. I am an adjunct instructor at the University of Louisville and a volunteer member of Bugles Across America.

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Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class David Butters

Specialty: Hospital Corpsman

Dates of Service: Sep 2007 - present

Tours of duty: 1st MarDiv: Iraq (2008), 31st MEU (2010)



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Army Staff Sergeant Barry Lisenbee

Specialty: Communication

Dates of Service: Feb 2002 to present

Decorations: Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2) Army Achievement Medal (3)

Tours of duty: Iraq 2004, Iraq 2005, Iraq 2009, Kuwait 2011, Bahrain 2014



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Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Shirley Brown

Specialty: Computer, Personnel, Squadron CC

Dates of Service: July 1976-1980 enlisted; Oct 1982-Aug 2002 officer

Decorations: AF Commendation Medal (w/3 devices), Meritorious Service Medal (w/2 devices), NDSM (w/2), AF Long Tour ribbon w/1, AF Short Tour Ribbon, AF Outstanding Unit w/3, AF Organizational Excellence w/2

Tours of duty: Misawa, Japan Mar 77-Aug 1978; Offutt AFB Sep 78-80; Incirlik Turkey 1987-1989; Offutt AFB; Altus OK; Scott AFB; Univ of Akron ROTC Detachment Commander 1999-2002

After retiring from the AF, I studied Graduate Level Sociology at SIUE. Among the various research studies I personally reviewed, there were some that had looked at whether Prayer effected outcomes. All the studies I saw indicted that Praying had no effect, whatsoever, on the outcome for individuals who were recipients of prayers. I personally believe that praying to an imaginary god is an exercise in talking to yourself. If it makes you feel better to talk to yourself, then go for it. My father (a WWII Vet, now deceased), used to say Pray in One hand and "Spit" (cleaned up version) in the other and see which gets full fastest. Pretty much my opinion as well. With respect to experiences regarding religion and the military, when I first arrived at Incirlik, Turkey as a new Personnel Captain, one of my very first assignments (until I got to my permanent section chief job) was as an Investigative officer for a situation in which an Officer had had negative dealings with a Wiccan. So, I diligently studied Wicca, and interviewed as many folks as possible and reported that the Wiccan had been "the victim of religious discrimination." It was subsequently handled appropriately. Other dealings I had with "religious personnel" include lots of dealings with Chaplains, especially as a Squadron Commander. All of the Chaplains with whom I dealt were fair, above board, and more interested in actually helping than in proselytizing their particular religious perspective. In fact, some of the best philosophical discussions I had were with Chaplains, especially after the OK City Bombing. I was on one of the Stress Incident Debriefing teams with a Chaplain when our Security Police members and their service dogs came back from doing recovery operations there. I have nothing but respect for most of the Chaplains with whom I have personally dealt. I am very certain that even as an out and open Atheist, I can deal with the base chaplains in an honest, open, respectful manner.

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Navy Chief Petty Officer Douglas Wright

Point of Contact, org of San Diego - MAAF

Specialty: Electronics Technician

Dates of Service: 02 December 1992 - Present

Decorations: Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4), Navy Unit Commendation (2), Navy E, Navy Good Conduct Medal (6), National Defense Service Medal (2), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal (2), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (8), Navy/Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (9)

Tours of duty: USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72), USS VALLEY FORGE (CG-50), NAF ATSUGI AIR OPERATIONS, USS CUSHING (DD-985), USS STETHEM (DDG-63), SRF/JRMC YOKOSUKA, USS RENTZ (FFG-46), SPAWAR SAN DIEGO.

I was raised primarily in the Baptist church. Though my father was an atheist, my mother was a staunch believer and I never doubted that I was saved and was going to Heaven. Sunday school was mandatory and, ironically, it was there that the first seeds of doubt were sown in my mind. I had always been an avid reader and tore through science books constantly, which prompted some uncomfortable questions from me to my teachers. Of course, the answers were vague and even I could tell at that early age that something was not adding up. Around the time I joined the Navy I had realized that Christianity was no longer fulfilling to me and I began to poke around at other religions to try to fill the void. I still thought that faith was necessary for moral guidance, so I dabbled in Islam and took an interest in Buddhism for a short time. Slowly I began to see the recurring patterns of religion and realized that, while all religions could not be right, they could all be wrong. Eventually I reluctantly embraced the harsh conclusion that it was unlikely that God existed, but it eviscerated my faith and left me unsatisfied. It was in my mid-thirties that I stumbled upon Humanism. It proved to be the missing piece that changed my outlook on life and provided a solid base for my ethical worldview. Since that day I have never looked back. I am a currently a Humanist Lay Leader with the American Humanist Association and MAAF. Currently I am focused on both getting the Navy at large to accept and support Humanism and connecting with other atheist organizations in the San Diego area. If there is anything the Navy has taught me, it is that nothing can stop a determined force with a common goal forever.

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Marine Lance Corporal Francisco Irizarry Gutierrez

Specialty: Infantry

Dates of Service: Sep 2005-Jan 2011

Decorations: Purple heart, Combat action Ribbon ( 2nd Iraq 2006-2007, Iraq 2008, Afghanistan 2009)

My atheism began as anger towards the catholic god. The questions I had were never really answered. The answers were inadequate and preposterous. I continued to ask questions and science provided an answer. Anger turned into curiosity which in turn turned into atheism. Raised in a catholic Hispanic family, well you could imagine what it was like to come out as an atheist. The more I discover about science, the more passionate I become.

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Army Staff Sergeant Grace Greer

Personal Site

Specialty: Drill Sergeant

Dates of Service: July 2002 - present

Decorations: Army Achievement Medal 2, Army Good Conduct Medal 3, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Star 2, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon 3, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon 3, Drill Sergeant Identification Badge

Tours of duty: Iraq Dec 2007-March 2009, Haiti Jan 2010-June 2010

My journey as a Foxhole Atheist has not been an easy one. I didn't always even identify myself as an Atheist because I didn't want to be bombarded with the word of god nor was I prepared to explain it. I had a profound moment in WLC when the welfare of my 1059 (graduation certificate) was held over my head during a graduation practice. We were going over all of the key movements we would make in unison, stand up, sit down, let us pray. I stayed at the position of attention, it caused the SGLs to question me and then insist that I crossed my arms in front of me and bowed my head just for "uniformity purposes". Being young, uneducated and not fully prepared to defend my case I caved in for graduation practice. For the actual ceremony I stood tall and did not bow my head. I rightfully completed the course and earned that 1059. Now, I am at Joint Base Lewis McChord and looking to create an alternative to the frequent prayer breakfasts and chaplain activities. I would like to find other Foxhole Atheists to assist in the mentoring and education of the future leaders of our military. (excerpts taken from Featured Foxhole Atheist site (see "personal site" link above)

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Army National Guard Specialist Tyshon Bullock

Specialty: Calvary Scout

Dates of Service: May 19th, 2008 - current

Tours of duty: Operation Enduring Freedom 12-13

As a cultural anthropology major, I found a passion in studying the cultural differences we as a people have on Earth. More specifically, I am interested in the study of beliefs, values, and norms of a culture or group of people. In my experience, without naming any certain command, the Army caters to Christian ideologies. Chapels, holiday parties, ceremonies, for example, all have a christian tone quietly or loudly in the background. I found myself, as a nonbeliever, sticking up for soldiers of other faiths, when their voices went unheard. From pork substitutes at chow to time off for "spirit" walks. Even though I am not a believer of any religious creed, I still fight for equality of all instead of favoritism of one. Glad to find a hub of like-minded people here.

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Navy Lieutenant Ryan Andrews

Specialty: Surface Warfare

Dates of Service: 1999-2005, 2009-Present

Decorations: Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3 awards), Good Conduct Medal

Tours of duty: USS FITZGERALD (DDG 62) 2001-2005, USS DECATUR (DDG 73) 2009-2012, COMDESRON 40 2012-Present

I have no issues or complaints with people praying or practicing religion, be it peacetime or wartime. I have noticed lots of abrasiveness when simply not participating, or answering honestly when asked about god. So I joined this site to prove that you can be a good person with good morals without a religious aspect, and to let others know that they're not alone. I don't seek out conflict with people of faith, but I won't shy away from it either.

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Air Force Tech Sergeant Brett Copeland

Point of Contact

Personal Site

Specialty: Cyber Security

Dates of Service: December 1999-present

Decorations: Air Force Commendation Medal (2), Air Force Achievement Medal (2), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Outstanding Unit w/ Valor, Small Arms Expert (Rifle)

Tours of duty: Kyrgyzstan (Jan-Mar 2002), Al Udeid (Jan-Jul 2003), Camp Lemonnier Djibouti (Present)



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Air Force Major Nathan Van De Veer

Specialty: E-4B Navigator

Dates of Service: Feb 2003 to the present

Decorations: Air Medal (7), AF Commendation Medal (3), AF Achievement Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2), Iraq Campaign Medal (2), Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, AF Expeditionary Service Ribbon w/Gold Border (4)

Tours of duty: May-Jul 05 Bagram (OEF), Mar-Jun 06 Ali Al Salem AB (ISO OIF), Jul-Nov 07 Bagram (OEF), Dec 09-Mar 10 Al Udeid AB (ISO OIF/OEF), Jul-Oct 10 Al Udeid AB (ISO OND/OEF), Dec 11-Feb 12 Korea



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Army Captain Jeff Frisby

Specialty: Info Systems

Dates of Service: October 2006 - Present

Decorations: Army Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon, Army Commendation Ribbon, Army Achievement Ribbon (2), Iraqi Campaign Ribbon

Tours of duty: Iraq: January 2010 - June 2010. Afghanistan: April 2013 - January 2014



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Army Sergeant 1st Class Andrew Smith

Specialty: Combat Photographer (MOS 25V)

Dates of Service: 1995- present

Decorations: Joint Service Commendation x2, Combat Action Badge, Paratrooper

Tours of duty: Albania (1999), Kosovo 2001-2002), Djibouti ISO OEF (2002-2003), Afghanistan OEF (2009-2010)

I am a strong advocate for the secular interpretation of our First Amendment. I am not interested in trying to persuade folks to forsake their religious beliefs. I only desire a "level playing field" within our military when it comes to religion. I believe that our military is currently doing it wrong regarding its obligation to respect its service members' religious and non-religious beliefs equally. I am frustrated by too many of our service member's unwillingness to acknowledge the difference between individual religious rights and the establishment or preference of a religion on behalf of our military (read: government). While I think that prayer and religion are silly, I am not upset by prayer in combat or anyone's right to exercise their religious beliefs LEGALLY. I am an atheist no matter where I am, and I am grateful for the opportunity to network and advocate with other like-minded folks here.

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Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Adam Stangle

Specialty: Corpsman

Dates of Service: Aug 09 - present

Decorations: Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (with EGA device), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Service Ribbon

Tours of duty: Afghanistan Sep 11 - Apr 12



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Air Force Staff Sergeant Johnathan Napier

Specialty: Airborne Linguist

Dates of Service: 13 Sep 2005 to 21 Aug 2011

Decorations: Air Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Unit Award with 3 oak leaf clusters, AF Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with 1 service star, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, AF Overseas Ribbon Short, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border with 1 oak leaf cluster, AF Longevity Service, USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle), AF Training Ribbon.

Tours of duty: 12-JUN-2009 to 24-OCT-2009 Al Udeid Air Base Qatar, 11-MAR-2010 to 22-SEP-2010 Al Udeid Air Base Qatar

I recall how overly Christian everything was. Commanders would always pray over missions, thanksgiving dinners, national holidays, Christmas, etc. They could never be openly advocating Christianity though, so they would try and use a work-around. They would say at the end of the prayer, "in your name we pray." But I always confused as to how that was a work-around. Muslims say "praise be to Allah." I never heard anyone say "praise be to his name." So when you say "in your name we pray," it's kind of obvious who you are talking about. I also remember going through basic training and being given the option of "going to church" or "cleaning." That's not a real option. Of course everyone chooses church. The most common intolerance I got was when I would order dog-tags. For religious preference I would select "Atheist." But the clerks would give me this dirty look and ask if I wanted "No Preference" instead, as if it was shameful to have Atheist on dog-tags. I would also get the stand-alone basic ignorance questions when someone would find out I was an Atheist. Frankly, I was quite annoyed at how positively I could be viewed as a soldier, but so negatively as an Atheist

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Army Specialist Christian Gorke

Specialty: Infantry

Dates of Service: March 2009-present

Decorations: parachutist badge, expert infantry badge

Tours of duty: Haiti (p-au-p) Jan-Apr 2010; Iraq (Taji, khalid, Al asad) May-Dec 2011

As for my thoughts on prayer in combat, people seem to live under the false impression that all atheists fear death and therefore in combat there is a need for religion or God(s) that can assist you in those desperate times so you can gather the courage necessary to get up and react. I actually find this counter-intuitive, to my own experience at the very least, when I was stabbed in a riot my immediate thoughts weren't "oh god I'm getting stabbed, I immediately regret not believing and I sure do hope there's a cushy afterlife waiting for me," nor were my thoughts "oh I need to react," I simply fought back with literally nothing on my mind. Looking back it would be cool to say my life flashed before my eyes during my bleeding and I contemplated my life decisions, but that would be false, it was primal reaction mixed with adrenaline. When I'm getting shot at, I take cover and fire back to get fire superiority. My focus is on the fight. As for the fear of death, that could not be farther from the truth. I embrace my mortality. As Richard Dawkins eloquently put, "We are going to die, and that makes us the lucky ones." Death may be an everlasting blackness waiting, but my focus is and always has been gratefulness for being a part of this crazy show that is life. If I die in combat or in my sleep, I'd have died knowing I was immensely gifted to be here and to share this world with my daughter.

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Army Master Sergeant Michael Hammond

Specialty: Military Police

Dates of Service: August 1988-Present

Decorations: Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (5OLC), Army Achievement Medal (6OLC), Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (6), National Defense Service Medal (2), Korean Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 Campaign Stars, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (3), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Saudi Arabia Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwaiti Kuwait Liberation Medal, NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge, and the Air Assault Badge

Tours of duty: Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait), December 1990 - March 1991 Operation Restore Hope (Mogadishu, Somalia), September 1993 - March 1994 Operation Joint Endeavor (Camp Bedrock,Bosnia-Herzogovina) March - August 1998 Operation Iraqi Freedom 08-09, (Baghdad and Taji, Iraq) September 08 - September 09 Operation Enduring Freedom 12-13, (Camp Nathan Smith, Afghanistan) May 12 - Present

I've held off actively participating in MAAF because I haven't felt the need to belong to anything--just wanted to show that we exist, you know? Now, however, being "strongly encouraged" as a leader to attend yet another prayer breakfast has pushed me past the point of tolerance. I've always thought it was weird to see people who get excited about chasing skirts and thumping heads bowing solemnly as the chaplain prays before we do something dangerous. I've never been able to reconcile what I've personally observed in this world with the idea that there's some all powerful being that gives a shit about anything that happens on this "pale blue dot". Before this latest annoyance it was the spiritual fitness questions on the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Tracker Global Assessment Tool. There's no acknowledgement of the fact that a person can be okay without having to believe in a higher power and since I don't believe (no amount of verbal judo can convince me that being "spiritual" is not the same as being religious) I always score poorly and end up with a higher risk factor. Personally, I feel that the realization that this is my one and only life leaves me with all the incentive I need to treat other people decently, take care of my family for the time that I am here, and leave them with the means to take care of themselves when I'm gone

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Army Major David Schrier

Specialty: Physician

Dates of Service: June 2003 - October 2009

Tours of duty: 28th Combat Support Hospital, Baghdad, August 2006 - February 2007

I spent six months in a combat support hospital. We took care of wounded civilians, insurgents, and military. Our hospital was mortared regularly, and praying about random explosions just seemed ridiculous. The individual people in the unit were mostly accepting of, or apathetic about, my atheism. However, there was a lot of overt religious emphasis from the unit command. The hospital chaplain, in particular, was naive to the concepts of religious diversity and freedom. He turned several mandatory "briefings" into a platform for proselytizing and preaching. He even tried to convert or preach to wounded patients, including locals and their families; these attempts were sadly comical, as they were overwhelmingly Muslim and almost never spoke English. My time in the Army, and in Iraq, served to cement my convictions about the folly of using religious dogma as guidance for personal policy and actions, and the high chance that religious doctrines can be volatile when placed in opposition to each other.

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Marine Sergeant Adam Dunigan

Specialty: Avionics

Dates of Service: Apr 1, 2008 - present

Decorations: Naval Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, others

Tours of duty: Pacific Fleet UDP 2009-2010, OEF Afghanistan 2010-2011

I think the most egregious offense that religion perpetrates in the military is that it asserts itself (and is thus treated) as an integral part of military life. When I first entered basic training and we were given time off contingent on attending religious service, I was shocked. By allowing religious organizations to insert themselves into military life (i.e. deployment, bootcamp, etc.), the government is opening vulnerable youth to coercive faith practices. I want the men and women around me to know there is another choice.

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Air National Guard Tech Sergeant Andrew Leith

Specialty: loadmaster

Dates of Service: 27Jan95-present

I am a sport skydiver and I was actually asked if I pray before I jump. My response was no, I am too busy thinking about my skydive and what I need to do to make it successful. There is no place for praying. The same can be said of combat or any high stress environment.

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Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Nicholas Stenkamp

Personal Site

Specialty: Cryptological Technician Maintenance

Dates of Service: 15 Dec 2008 - present

Decorations: Good Conduct, Expeditionary, Sea Service, Global War on Terrorism, National Defense, Sharpshooter Small Arms

Tours of duty: 10th Cyber Fleet, 7th Fleet, 5th Fleet April 2010 - present



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Army Sergeant Kevin Dare

Specialty: Medic

Dates of Service: 28 Mar 2007 to present

Decorations: Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Combat Medic Badge

Tours of duty: Iraq, Dec 2007 to Feb 2009 and Jul 2010 to Jun 2011

I do remember when my recruiter asked me which religion I was and I strongly emphasized "NONE!!" and I ended up with "no pref recorded". At the time I didn't know any better. The only thing I've ever encountered when I told people that I was Agnostic or had no religion was when a fellow medic, a devout Jew, asked if I worshipped Satan. I only replied with, "I just told you I don't worship any gods, so why would I worship that one?" I've never been called out for not bowing my head during any invocation during any official ceremony. The only time I've felt uncomfortable was when I reenlisted in '10, and I didn't tell my physician's assistant, whom I choose as my reenlistment officer, that I didn't want to "swear", so I'm sure everyone noticed me choking on the religious words. I fortunately haven't felt much descrimination for my lack of belief. When asked if I believe in a god, I say, "I don't know," which is the Agnostic, "and, I don't care" which is all me. I don't need a religion or a god for me to be a decent person.

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Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class John Yockachonis

Specialty: Aviation Safety Equipment

Dates of Service: May 1986 - May 1990

Decorations: Good Conduct Medal

Tours of duty: VR-60 Squadron, 1987 - 1990

I had no problems with religion being pushed on me, excepting boot camp, where church attendance was compulsory. I was not openly atheist, and did not identify as atheist until years later, but I did not believe. It was something we never talked about, and I didn't give it much thought, but I thought of heaven, hell and god as ridiculous constructs of men, not to be taken seriously.

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Air Force Staff Sergeant Nathan Meier

Specialty: Finance and Accounting

Dates of Service: 1998 - Present

Decorations: Air Force Achievement Medal, AF Good Conduct Medal (x4), National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border

Tours of duty: 1998 - 2002 Ramstien AFB Germany, 2002 - 2005 Little Rock AFB AR, 2005 - 2009 Misawa AB Japan, Jan 2009 - Jun 2009 Ali Al Salem Kuwait, 2009 - Present Vance AFB OK

I was a Christian when I joined and subsequently became a Chapel rope during Tech School. I stood up for the unpopular Wiccans at the time who had a Chapel Rope of their own which I thought was really great. Later after studying more about alternative religions I fell into the "No Religious Preference" crowd. In my search for religion and a way to describe my beliefs I found no religion. Now I am proud of my secular beliefs and made sure to update all of my records so that they reflect that in the best way possible. I have not had any problems though I know the more active I get in the community to try and educate the public on Secular beliefs I will encounter some.

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Air Force Staff Sergeant Derek Traywick

Personal Site

Specialty: Cyber Systems (Computers)

Dates of Service: July 2003 - Present

Decorations: Joint Service Commendation, Air Force Commendation, Air Force Achievement, Good Conduct, National Defense Service, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service, Korean Defense Service, AF Overseas Ribbon Short and Long, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border, AF Longevity Service

Tours of duty: Ali Base Iraq 2006, Baghdad 2007, Other Iraqi locations 2008, 2010; Kabul 2012

My experience with religion in the military has been nothing but positive. I've been able to have discussions about various religious ideas with many other military members. My beliefs have always been respected by the military religious community (to include chaplains). It saddens me to hear that this is not the normal way we atheists are treated. I have spent most of my time deployed with SOF units and have seen first hand that there are a lot of us in foxholes out here!

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Marine Sergeant Steve Dixon

Specialty: Aviation Electrician

Dates of Service: 1975 - 1979

Decorations: Good Conduct Medal

Tours of duty: June 1975 - June 1979, VMFA-251

I do not recall being forced to attend any kind of religious service (except in boot camp, but that ceased nearer to graduation), we were pretty much left alone. As for dog tags, I seem to recall a no preference choice, but cannot remember. My dog tags have long since disappeared in the numerous job related moves our family has made over the years, so cannot confirm. Why a religious choice is necessary for a dog tag is beyond me. Should it come to it, the family can take of any religious matters, if any.

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Air National Guard Captain Howard Grantham

Specialty: Registered Nurse

Dates of Service: 1996-2000 United States Marine Corps; 2001-Present California Air National Guard/United States Air Force

Decorations: Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle and Pistol), Marine Corps Expert Rifle Badge (2nd award)

Tours of duty: 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit June-December 1999

I have encountered subtle and not-so-subtle pressure regarding religious belief from time to time. While it has not often been an issue for day-to-day service, religious influence and privilege are pervasive, both in the active and reserve forces. I have noticed, however, that more of my comrades are keeping their heads up during prayer services disguised as formations (the only way to know this being to keep your own head up!). As an officer nearing the end of my twenty years, I have developed more confidence speaking out against religious statements phrased as policy. I have also been more outspoken regarding the excess of political conservatism in the service, which seems to go hand in hand with religious extremism. Military personnel, and junior personnel specifically, are more likely to be pressured to conform, so it is imperative that those of us who have been around a while exercise leadership in promoting the secular values our country and military were founded on.

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Army National Guard Sergeant Donald Ferguson

Specialty: Logistics

Dates of Service: 1998 to present

Decorations: Purple Heart, Iraq Campaign Medal, Army Commendation (2 awards), Army Achievement (3 awards), Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal, Reserve Components Achievement Medal (6 awards), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary, Global War on Terror Service, Utah National Guard Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal (Mobilized), Combat Action Badge

Tours of duty: Baghdad Iraq 2003-2004, Tallil Iraq 2005-2006

I was raised as a Mormon in Utah. Everyone around me, neighbors, friends, family, extended family were all Mormons too. I believed because I never had a reason to question things. At the age of 19 I served a two-year proselytizing mission for the church. I joined the Army at the age of 25, by that point I had begun to question some things about the church, but I still considered myself a Mormon and still attended services all through basic training and AIT. Once back home and drilling with my unit, I met a few soldiers who were not Mormons or liberal Mormons, or ex-Mormons, those guys working alongside believing Mormons led to many, many interesting discussions where more and more I belonged on the side of rational skepticism. It was 1999 or 2000 and Carl Sagan's book Demon Haunted World made me realize I could no longer believe the irrational. I quit going to church and no longer considered myself a Mormon, but it was 2008 and the church's involvement in California's Proposition 8 that made me decide I could no longer tolerate any affiliation with the organization, so I formally requested my name be removed from the church roster. At that point I was refused new dog tags to update the religion block with 'atheist' or 'humanist' so I just had my own made online. One says 'atheist' the other says 'secularhumanist' (had to make it all one word, but it fit). Like many here I have stood quietly through invocations at formal ceremonies or dinners, and through prayers for strength and safety before combat operations.

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Army Specialist Ian Wilson

Specialty: Cryptologic Linguist

Dates of Service: June 2010 - Present



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Navy Reserve Petty Officer 3rd Class William Chambers

Specialty: Mechanic

Dates of Service: 2007 - present

Tours of duty: 2008 - 2009 Iraq

I haven't had a big problem with this really. I wasn't yet open about my beliefs or certain yet at that point in time. It has not been a quick process. You know undoing 30 years of upbringing and life experience, but I believe it is right. And about prayer in combat? whatever keeps you sane. I might utter some words if i were scared to death or something, I dunno I might not. You would certainly be able to think more clearly in a critical situation though if you didn't have to think about what time it was and whether you missed your prayer. whether you slipped up and said a curse word you could use all your mental effort to find a way to complete your mission and/or survive the situation. sometimes that little bit helps. it also doesn't help if you are blinded by thinking that god is going to miraculously abracadabra your butt out of a bind either. Because it will not happen. you will die. I will say this though about religious tolerance, the first friend I made after bootcamp was a girl who was born and raised muslim and still is muslim. her husband is an active duty marine. I later deployed with her and went to "A" school (job training) with her as well. She is a great friend. Some people might think .."oh no a muslim"... but they would be ignorant.

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Army Major Domingos Robinson

Specialty: Army Band Officer

Dates of Service: August 1998 - Present

I've been an agnostic most of my life and an atheist for almost half my life. I've never encountered any problems being an atheist in the military, and even have a good friend who is a chaplain (and he knows I'm an atheist). But, the overt religiousness of the military does get old sometimes. The strangest thing was having a chaplain provide support to my change of command ceremonies, knowing that not only did the other people participating in the ceremony expect a chaplain, so did everyone attending. I wonder how it looked for me to stand up there with my head high, eyes forward during the invocation...

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Air Force Airman 1st Class Patrick Madden

Specialty: Fuels Distribution

Dates of Service: 15 May 2009 - Present

Decorations: Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short, Global War on Terrorism Expiditionary Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon

Tours of duty: Ali Al Salem Kuwait Operation New Dawn Jun 2010, Aviano Italy Operation Odyssey Dawn May 2010-Mar 2011

I do not believe in a god and I have served my country without a god. I won't fall to my knees and pray in combat when I could do something more productive with my time like reload, use the radio, or perform Buddy Care. I think if people want to pray in the Military then they should do it at the Chapel or in their home with their family.

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Air Force Captain Madison Scaccia

Point of Contact

Specialty: Logistics

Dates of Service: Aug 2011 - present

I used to be afraid of my atheism. As a child, I tried so hard to believe. I did the youth groups, the Bible study, all of that. It never clicked. It never made sense to me. Everyone tells you to work hard and to push yourself, but then, at the end of it, you're supposed to thank god? What gives? In high school, I asked myself: honestly, do I believe this stuff? When I realized the answer was a resounding "no", I finally decided enough was enough, and that I wasn't going to buy into it anymore. I'm fine with religion for the most part. If someone wants to live their life based on a theistic doctrine, that's fine by me. What really gets me is the fact that every military event I attend begins with an "invocation", meaning "prayer". I was given the opportunity to give an invocation at an ROTC event a few years ago, and not once did I reference a god. It IS possible to remind your fellow service members to think about their deployed buddies, to keep their families in your thoughts, to remember the ones you lost without going through a deity first. I do admit that this specific tradition is part of the military culture, and not something I want to speak out against at the risk of putting personal beliefs before the mission. However, when it all hits the fan, I'll be depending on the airman next to me, not god. If you've got my back, I don't really care WHAT you believe. My dog tags say "Atheist" and it's not something I'm PROUD of; it just IS.

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Army National Guard Sergeant 1st Class Casey Braden

Specialty: Chemical/Biological/Nuclear

Dates of Service: June 1999 - Present

Decorations: Army Commendation Medal (x3), Army Achievement Medal (x3), Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (x3), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device

Tours of duty: Operation Noble Eagle October 2003-June 2005, Operation Enduring Freedom July 2011-2012

I recently had someone learn that I was an atheist and say, "But you are one of the nicest, happiest people I know! That doesn't make any sense!" I aim to change people's opinions about what it means to be an atheist, and to show that you don't need belief in some supernatural being to be a good person. I also think that the military needs to realize that not everyone in their ranks is a Christian, and that Chaplain-led Christian prayers in formation are grossly inappropriate. It seems that our Chaplain believes that if he prefaces every prayer with "I invite you to pray in your faith tradition as I pray in mine," it makes it all okay.

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Marine Master Gunnery Sergeant Cody Heaps

Board Member

Specialty: Intelligence

Dates of Service: January 1991 - Present

Decorations: Bronze Star Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd award), Combat Action Ribbon

Tours of duty: 2014 - Pres US MARFOR CENTCOM FWD (NSA Bahrain) Intelligence Chief, 2011 - 2014 1st Marine Division, Camp Pendleton, CA, 2011 3D Marine Logistics Group Okinawa Japan, 2008-2011 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Okinawa Japan, 2007-2008 MNSTC-I Baghdad Iraq, 2006-2007 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Okinawa Japan, 2005-2006 6TH Marine Regiment Camp Lejeune NC, 2004-2005 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (OIF2-1, 2-2, 3-1), 2002-2003 2nd Intelligence Battalion (OIF), 2001-2002 Joint Military Intelligence College Washington DC, 2000-2001 Navy & Marine Corps Intelligence Training Center Dam Neck VA, 1998-1999 HMM-266 (24th MEU) New River Air Station NC, 1996-1997 6TH Marine Regiment Camp Lejeune NC, 1996 JAC Molesworth England, 1995-1996 6TH Marine Regiment Camp Lejeune NC, 1994-1995 JTF-160 Cuba, 1994-1995 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines Camp Lejeune NC, 1993 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines Camp Lejeune NC, 1991-1992 B Co Marine Barracks Philippines, 1991 MCRD, MCT & SOI Rifleman San Diego and Camp Pendleton CA

Theism lost its grip over me in 2009 after 40+ years of faithful Christian service in two fundamental faiths. I thought myself out after discovering religions are just shamelessly making up things as they go along. My journey has been one of exhaustive study in comparative religions and everything associated with the "New Atheist" Movement. To my deep disappointment God never revealed himself to me so I had no reason to continue the delusion. Caring if my beliefs are true and seek to be intellectually honest unfortunately puts me at odds with most people who are prone to magical thinking.

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Air Force Tech Sergeant Kenneth Labelle

Lay Leader

Specialty: Chinese Linguist

Dates of Service: 2 Jan 2002 - Present

Decorations: Joint Commendation Medal (one oak leaf cluster), Air Force Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal

Tours of duty: Jan 2002 - Feb 2002, Basic Training, Lackland AFB; Feb 2002 - June 2003, Presidio of Monterey, CA; June 2003-June 2005, Beale AFB, CA; June 2005 - June 2008, Misawa AB, Japan; June 2008 - Present, Goodfellow AFB, TX. 2 deployments to Baghdad, Iraq - July 2006-January 2007, March 2010-September 2010

With regards to hazardous duty, as mentioned in my tours above, I've been deployed to Iraq twice as an analyst. 2006 was definitely more hairy, but I honestly had a harder time the 2nd time around in 2010. More political stresses than combat, it seemed. As to prayer in combat, as long as its done privately and doesn't hamper accomplishment of the mission, I have no problem with it. But the military doesn't seem to see it that way, particularly the private side of it. My biggest issue currently is the tendency of the military to trot out a chaplain at every major event - be it a commanders call, change of command ceremony, drill competition, etc - and have them ask everyone to bow their heads and pray to "the Lord", apparently meaning Jesus. It's bad enough being an atheist and having to hear that (not that I bow my head, I usually spend the prayer looking around to see how many other non-praying people I can spot), but I can't imagine how offensive it must be to people there who may privately worship other things. It does not fit with the party line in the military that we support freedom of religion and/or religious tolerance. Its official endorsement of Christianity, as far as I'm concerned.

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Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Christine Legawiec

Board Member

Specialty: C-130 Pilot

Dates of Service: 1996-present

Decorations: Aerial Achievement, Meritorious Service, GWOT Service

Tours of duty: Kuwait, 2000; Balkans, 2000-2005; OEF, 2001-2005; OIF, 2003-2004, ONE, 2008

I'm excited for the day when all Airmen will be respected and celebrated for their diversity, including Humanists. At the end of the day, what matters most isn't your race, gender, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation, but whether you can live up to the core values and ensure a climate of respect and inclusivity for all Airmen.

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Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Richard Carrier

Specialty: Sonar Technician

Dates of Service: September 1990 to August 1992

Decorations: (1) National Defense Service Medal, (2) USCG Marksman Ribbon

Tours of duty: Training Center Cape May (New Jersey), Security Clearances Division (1990); Fleet Antisubmarine Warfare Training Center Pacific (FLEASWTRACENPAC) San Diego (California) (1990-2991); USCGC Sherman (WHEC 720) Pacific Northwest Patrol (1991-1992)

Certainly when I was in service the Coast Guard had a strong contingent of liberals and progressives in all ranks devoted to its peacetime law enforcement and search and rescue mission, and in result the entire force was professionally secular in all active components and very accommodating of diverse religious views in private affairs. Pretty much the way the rest of the services should be.

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Army Reserve Staff Sergeant Louis Goldstein

Specialty: Combat Engr

Dates of Service: Nov2002-current

Decorations: Bronze Star, Purple Heart x2, Army Commendation Medal x2 1w "V" for Valor, Army Achievement Medal

Tours of duty: 20 Aug 2010 - 20 Aug 2011



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Marine Sergeant Joshua Greenfield

Specialty: Combat Camera

Dates of Service: April 2004 - April 2012

Decorations: (1) Afghanistan Campaign Medal, (1) Iraq Campaign Medal, (1) Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, (2) Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, (1) National Defense Service Medal, (1) NATO Medal-ISAF Afghanistan, (1) Navy and Marine Corps Achievment Medal, (3) Sea Service Deployment Ribbon

Tours of duty: Iraq: Feb 2005 - Feb 2006. Afghanistan: April 2009 - April 2010, March 2011 - Present

Being a Marine and an atheist is an interesting challenge. The three pillars that the Corps values are founded on are "God, Country, and Corps." I can honestly say that I've never been discriminated against personally, but that's only because I generally don't make my atheism public. But I will definitely speak up when I hear a fellow Marine spouting ignorant religious dogma. Most of them don't even know why they're religious in the first place! That being said, it sometimes feels like I'm the only one. I know that's not true at all, which is why I joined this group, to meet other atheists in the military. There's one thing I know for certain, that if it wasn't for religion, I wouldn't be stuck in this hell hole of a country fighting an invisible enemy. Atheists as a whole need to be more assertive, with respect, to help people see the folly of their archaic beliefs. I know it's not easy, but I'm in it for the long haul. Let's get organized and let others know we're here!

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Air Force Staff Sergeant Brandon Crilley

Specialty: Avionics Tech

Dates of Service: 17 June, 2003 to present

Tours of duty: MacDill AFB 2004 to 2011, Dover AFB 2011 to present

I am proud to serve a country that allows us the freedom to criticize ideas, even when they are held by the majority. I am proud to serve a country whose founding fathers understood the importance of separating religion from government. I am proud to serve a country that allows the free exchange of knowledge and wisdom, even if damaging to long standing institutions. I am a Atheist proudly serving America.

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Army Sergeant Gene Miller

Specialty: combat medic

Dates of Service: Oct 17 67-69

Decorations: Combat Medical Badge, Bronze Star with V, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal W/4 Bronze Stars, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/Device 1960, 2 Overseas Bars, Army Good Conduct Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation Badge, Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Honor Medal First Class unit Citation Badge, Expert M-14, M-16

Tours of duty: Vietnam and Ft Benning

I was in Vietnam from Apr 4 68-69. In combat prayer is just talking to the wind. Whether you're hit or not is just a matter of luck. We averaged 212 days of combat and during WWII they averaged 40 days. In Vietnam only 9% fought and the rest were in the rear with the gear. We got water from streams and were resupplied with food every 4 days. One fellow trooper believed that God would take care of him. The next day his brains were in my hands.

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Army Captain Jason Torpy

Board Member

Personal Site, Personal Video

Specialty: Quartermaster

Dates of Service: Jun 1994 - Mar 2005

Decorations: National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Parachutist Badge, German Leistungs Ab Zeichung

Tours of duty: Operation Iraqi Freedom May 2003 - July 2004

From my earliest days in the military, religion, and Christianity specifically were prevalent, creating the implication that I, as an atheist, was not a full part of the team. I hope the military embraces the diversity of its ranks creating training, outreach, and support programs for nontheists that are equivalent to those of the privileged Chrsitian community.

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Navy Master Chief Petty Officer Larry Bucher

Specialty: Communications

Dates of Service: 1952-56, 1958-77

Decorations: Two Navy Achievement Medals and about eight geographical medals

Tours of duty: 1952-53 boot camp and a service school. 1953-54 USS Iowa. 1954-55 Naples Italy. 1955-56 London England. 1958-59 another service school (converted me from Teleman to Radioman). 1959-61 NAVCOMMSTA Asmara (Ethiopia). 1962 USS Rhodes. 1963-65 Naples again. 1966 USS Franklin D Roosevelt. 1967-68 NAVSUPPACT Danang. 1969-71 Asmara again. 1971-73 Naval Air Station Dallas TX. 1974-77 COMCRUDESGRU TWO (cruiser-destroyer group, rear admiral's staff) Newport RI briefly then Charleston SC.

Although I spent 19 months in-country Vietnam, it was in a relatively safe rear area and I never experienced anything resembling combat, never carried a weapon, and never felt myself in any imminent danger, not even during Tet. Plus another five-six months on a ship offshore. I'm reasonably sure that if ever in combat the closest thing to a prayer I might have uttered would have been, "Oh, shit!" In 1952 boot camp we were told that everyone had to go to a religious service Sunday morning -- unless you had identified yourself as an atheist on your enlistment papers. But it was apparent that it was not being enforced, no names taken, so after the first couple weeks only the incorrigibly devout continued to attend. On my first ship a friend and I were caught on the quarterdeck when the chaplain came on the PA system for the evening prayer. Masters-at-arms yelled at us to take off our hats. We did. In Naples a friend was hassled when he reenlisted; he had indicated atheist on his reenlistment papers, some meddler in personnel brought it to the chaplain's attention and the chaplain called him in for spiritual reclamation. Neither converted the other. In Danang I had to get the chaplain's initials on my request for six-month extension. It went well until the end, when he asked my religion. "None, sir." I had no choice but to endure his grumpy disapprobation which was thankfully brief, and included indictment of Radiomen in general. Some of my sailors had earlier earned his disapproval. In the 50s, beards were legal with prior approval, but as beards became identified with hippies, radicals, the 60s counterculture, they fell out of fashion were banned in 1982.

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Navy Reserve Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Barker

Specialty: Communications / Information Technology

Dates of Service: 2008 - 2018

Decorations: Battle E, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (x3), Global War on Terror (Expeditionary), Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS), Enlisted Information Warfare Specialist (EIWS), Selected Reserve duty, AUG2015 - present

Tours of duty: USS Donald Cook (DDG-75) JAN2009-AUG2012, NCTAMS LANT AUG2012-AUG2015



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Army Sergeant Major Kelly Stransky

Specialty: HR

Dates of Service: 1996 to present

Decorations: a lot

Tours of duty: Bonita 97, Kosova 98, Iraq 2006, Israel 2010



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Air Force Tech Sergeant Chad Mclaurin

Point of Contact

Specialty: Avionics Technician/Instructor

Dates of Service: 9/1993 - 9/2013



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Army Staff Sergeant Matthew Handley

Point of Contact

Personal Site

Specialty: Fire Support Sergeant

Dates of Service: 2009 - Present

Decorations: Army Achievement Medal (4OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2OLC)

Tours of duty: Operation Iraqi Freedom 2009-10

I've still got about three weeks left in Romania before I get back to Germany. I am really interested in trying to get a group started in the Vilseck/Grafenwoer area. I have continued to meet like-minded individuals here just in my troop. I imagine there are many more back in garrison. I read a lot of info on the MAAF website. I have been considering talking to the chaplain just to get a feel for what kind of support can be provided out here in our semi-deployed environment for humanists. They have gone to great lengths to build a Chapel on our little base, provide bibles, show religious movies, set aside protected time for services, etc. I'm just not sure what is in the scope of his responsibilities/requirements are or what really to ask for. What are some good questions to ask in an initial conversation? I'm very happy to be a part of the community. Looking forward to being more involved.

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Air Force Reserve Tech Sergeant Mike Mathers

Specialty: Air Transport

Dates of Service: 2004-2011 (active) 2011-present (reserve)

Tours of duty: April 2004-Feb 2009 Travis AFB, CA, Feb 2009-Feb 2010 Osan AB, Republic of Korea, Feb 2010-Apr 2011 Dover AFB, DE (July 2010-Jan 2011 LSA Anaconda/Balad AB, Iraq), Apr 2011-Present Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA

I became a christian my freshman year of highschool and was a sincere (if naive) believer until just recently. Earlier this year (2014) while studying WWI and the Battle of Verdun in particular I decided that God simply cannot exist. The fact that Man is capable of such profound horror has solidified not only my Atheism but my Anti-Theism. As a consequence of my time and experiences as a Christian I have an empathetic perspective and this keeps me from becoming hostile toward (most) other Christians.

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Army Sergeant Robert Keck

Specialty: Infantry

Dates of Service: 1967-1969

Decorations: Purple Heart

Tours of duty: Vietnam 1968



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Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Charles Villa

Specialty: Operations Specialist

Dates of Service: 1989-1991

Decorations: Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal



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Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Uhden

Specialty: Legalman

Dates of Service: Apr 2005-present

Decorations: 3 Air Medals, 3 Army Achievement Medals, 2 Navy Achievement Medals, Humanitarian Medal, Sea Service, Overseas

Tours of duty: 2010, six months Camp Basrah, Iraq; Air Ambulance, 2009, USS Essex/USS Denver; Japan, Australia, Typhoon Morokot Humanitarian mission, Taiwan, Air medevacs, 2008, Camp Buerhing, Kuwait; Air Ambulance, 2007, Camp Buerhing, Kuwait; Air Ambulance

During mortar attacks in Iraq when it was at its worst I prayed, not religiously, but philosophically. I still have hope and experience wonder and marvel at the universe. As an atheist I have sought a Navy Chaplain when I needed to talk to someone and they were great. I would love to see an atheist or humanist Chaplain because their views are more in line with mine. I am concerned with a few things with religion and the military. First is having -so help me God- in the reenlistment. I requested not to have it in mine but others, like people in the Air Force do not have that option. Christian phrases like that should be completely eliminated from the military to complete the separation of church and state. Another example I have seen is during change of commands, graduations, Navy Balls, Command Christmas Parties, where there are Christian invocations. I've voiced my concerns and was told it is tradition and that it is for the religious people. What about people like me who do not want religion at all in the military. Religion needs to be out of the military completely.

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Air Force Senior Airman Shane Mitchell

Specialty: Journalist

Dates of Service: Oct 2010 to present

Tours of duty: Apr. 2011 - May 2014, Kaiserslautern, Germany; May 2014 - Current, Mountain Home, Idaho



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Air National Guard Tech Sergeant Karl Patz

Point of Contact, org of MASH Jacksonville

Specialty: Security Forces

Dates of Service: 4 Sep 2001 to present

Decorations: Air Force Commendation Medal



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Army Captain Marshall Forrest

Specialty: Signals Intel

Dates of Service: Jan 1942 - January 1946

Decorations: WWII expeditionary medals

Tours of duty: North Africa and Salerno invasion to Rome

You can be a good patriot and a good and moral person without any formal religious beliefs. I worked with cryptography teams in North Africa and then ran a telephone company in occupied Rome. I had the opportunity in Yalta to run cryptography messages. In running intelligence separately, I had the opportunity to get confirmation of the atomic bomb blast prior to the Pentagon notification. After the military, I served as a judge in Bellingham, Washington. I wasn't able to be out about my atheism as a judge or lawyer, but I hope others will be able to be out in the future.

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Army Private Joshua Lopez

Specialty: watercraft operator

Dates of Service: 6 May 2013- present

Tours of duty: Operation Enduring Freedom (Kuwait), 15 Sep 2013 to present

Well I guess I will start off about prayer in combat. I think its a positive thing if it helps a soldier deal with stress on the battle field, but I strongly believe it should be done in private. Having group prayer is insensitive to individuals who do not subscribe to the certain religion of the prayer sayer. We usually have a christian chaplain say either grace or bless the unit when we have get togethers. I would consider this religious tolerance from an atheists point of view, but I think if the tables were turned we would see discrimination.

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Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Thomas Roback

Specialty: Superintendent, Capabilities & Integration Division

Dates of Service: May 1988-Present

Decorations: (x2) Meritorious Service Medals, (x3) Air Force Commendation Medals, (x5) Air Force Achievement Medals, (x8) Air Force Good Conduct Medals, (x2) National Defense Service Medals, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War of Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, (x2) NATO Service Medals (Bosnia/Herzegovina & Kosovo)

Tours of duty: Qatar May-Sep 2005, Iraq May-Oct 2011

Being in the Air Force in a supporting role I have not been in harm's way as compared to my other sister services. The only time I was truly in a hazardous duty was my last deployment to Iraq. I was stationed at Sather Air Base during the final draw down of troops and our military presence. We were shelled nightly by improvised rocket propelled grades and the like, and sadly lost many good men and women. During that time, I was not an overt Atheist, but still felt no need whatsoever to pray. I took a very pragmatic approach to the shelling and alarms...I took cover and waited, not worried about the what ifs...as if it was my time...it was my time...being responsible of keeping the command and control communications up and online...there's no time to worry about anything else. As we directly support all the people beyond the green-zone...so the only thing I felt was guilt of not being able to do more. The main issue I have in the military relating to religion is the whole chapel core, and the services endorsement of such. Instead of instilling other coping mechanisms, the services continue to coddle believing service members' while alienating all non-believers in the same motion. Being a believer, in whatever religion, in the services is the accepted norm...everything else to the contrary is ignored, discounted, put down, shunned or ostracized.

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Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Nicholas Mcferran

Specialty: communications/submarines

Dates of Service: Feb 2007 - Present

Decorations: Navy/Marine Corps Achievement medal x 2, Good Conduct medal x 2, Meritorius Unit Commendation, National Defense Service, Global War on Terrorism, Sea Service Deployment

Tours of duty: Boot Camp, Submarine school, A school Feb 2007 - Jun 2008, USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) Jun 2008 - Oct 2012, CTF 69 Naples IT Nov 2012 - Present

I wanted to add my name to this list not just because I am an athiest, but because I truly do believe there needs to be a separation of church and State. I have had to sit through countless ceremonies where we are subjected to some religious service or prayer. I end up just staring around the room while most others bow down. And none of these ceremonies are optional. And most of the time I actually do want to be there because they are things that honor other service members like retirements and such, but I do not want to preached to and forced to listen to the outdated fictions of some peoples beliefs. I am not against a person believing in whatever they want to, as I myself am married to a believer, but in battle, or on a ship, or command functions or anywhere, prayer and the like should be kept to yourself. Also it gets very old hearing people claim that our country, which I love, was founded on religion and a belief in god and how all our representatives continue to use their religion as a pillar of their campaigns and group all their constituants as god fearing people. We should not be treated as non-existent and or have to hide our non beliefs for fear of being punished in the military or anywhere.

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Army National Guard 1st Lieutenant Josef Hughson

Personal Site

Specialty: Signal Officer

Dates of Service: 9/13/95 - 3/7/07, 9/12/09 - Present

Decorations: Army Achievement Medal x 2, Air Force Achievement Medal

Tours of duty: OIF Iraq November 03 - March 04; JTF Katrina Belle Chasse, LA August-September 05



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Marine Lance Corporal Steffen Camarato

Personal Site

Specialty: Maintenance Management Specialist

Dates of Service: June 2006 - June 2010

Decorations: Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

My thought about prayer in combat, I don't have issues with it if someone wants to pray to themselves separately. However, when they try to include everyone as a whole to do it, I find it discriminating and useless. What I dislike about religion in the military is how biased it is. You will see a chaplain, who is from some form of a Judeo-Christian religion. However, where is the secular counselors? We need people to discuss these ideas of Atheism and to answer questions who are not biased and tell you to read the bible. I stood in many ceremonies where you bow your head and make a prayer. An Atheist in the military? Well, good job, now you get to work on Sunday because you obviously have nothing to do on Sundays right? It's pitiful, and any government should be secular. People in power should not be biased because of religion.

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Army Sergeant 1st Class Robert Riddle

Specialty: Combat Engineer

Dates of Service: 30 Dec 1986 to 30 March 2008

Decorations: The only one that matters is the Sapper Tab

Tours of duty: OIF Aug 06 to Nov 07

Anything that increases a soldier or soldier's family's strength and resilience and enables them to emotionally bear combat and it's aftermath is worth using. That includes prayer. I never minded invocations at ceremonies, I just stood there silently while others took strength, solace, peace, or otherwise communed with their imaginary friend. One thing I learned early in my Army career is that you really have to work hard to be a bigot, the Army is so diverse that you really do realize that assholes come in all colors, as do great people and lifelong friends. There are religious zealots who treat atheists and people not of their faith unfairly. But since the command climate changes with the commander, they usually only last a couple of years before they rotate out and a person who represents the actual ethics and values of the Army assumes command. There is culture of faith in the military because some people find strength in it. There is a culture of protestant faith in the military because the majority of religious folks in the military are protestant. It's more of a logistics thing than anything else. If you are going to recruit chaplains to leverage the power of religion for better readiness and mental health of the force, and your force is 75% protestant, you would be an idiot to recruit 50% catholic or Islamic chaplains. Atheists, more than any other group, can actually place the needs of the service first, and just stand aside and let their brothers and sisters take whatever strength they can from their religion. We need to speak up if we are discriminated against, but religion isn't going away, and our mission shouldn't be to drive it away.

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Marine Staff Sergeant David Rumley

Specialty: Compliance

Dates of Service: Jul 1981 - Aug 1998

Decorations: Navy Achievment Medal, Good Conduct, Humanitarian, Joint Meritorius Unit Comendation, Navy Unit Comendation, Marine Unit Comendation, Drill Instructor

It is well to remember that there are five reasons for drinking: the arrival of a friend, one's present or future thirst, the excellence of the wine, or any other reason.

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Army National Guard Sergeant Renee Ten Eyck

Personal Site

Specialty: interrogator

Dates of Service: 1986-1992 Active duty Army; 1993-2006 Army National Guard, retired



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Army Sergeant Kayla Williams

Personal Site

Specialty: Arabic Linguist

Dates of Service: 2000-2005

Decorations: Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal (w Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal

Tours of duty: Iraq, 2003-2004

As a secular humanist, I often felt uncomfortable with the prayers that were part of every formal military ceremony. I also witnessed more overt discrimination: while studying Arabic at the Defense Language Institute, one of our professors passed out Christian materials in class, and then called every Christian student up to hold a prayer circle immediately before our oral proficiency exams - leaving the Mormons, Hindu, and me sitting in our seats, mouths agape at how wildly inappropriate it was. It has since pained me to see news coverage of some egregious missteps by military personnel and consultants who have allowed the misperception that the US is involved in a war on Islam be used in terrorist propaganda. The creeping evangelism in the US armed forces is deeply disturbing and undermines core American values. I am proud to be able to raise my hand whenever someone repeats the tired and false trope "there are no atheists in foxholes" to say, "Actually, I was." Serving in combat did not turn me into a believer! It did, however, show me the value excellent chaplains can bring to those coping with the stresses of combat. I hope that more Unitarian Universalists will choose to serve as chaplains and that the military finds a way to incorporate secular chaplains into the corps in order to better serve the large number of us who are not religious.

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Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Dick Mcmanus

Specialty: Counterintelligence Special Agent/MI

Dates of Service: Jun 1968 to May 1971, May 1981 to Sept 2001

Tours of duty: South Vietnam May 1970 to May 1971, West Germany 1981 to Sept 2001

HONOR, duty, Country. I think all humans need a philosophy to understand if they are happy. Here is mine. HAPPINESS IS GETTING WHAT YOU NEED. EVERYONE NEEDS: Liberty, peace, health, sex, mind exercise, knowledge, personal associations, art and creativity, character and a sense of justice, and to be assertive (to be able to say "no" without feeling guilty. NO ONE NEEDS ARBITRARY POWER OVER OTHER PEOPLE. I also adhere to the importance of being assert - The Assertive Option by Patricia Jakubowski and Arthur J. Lange and NO TRESPASSING by Barker and Barker.

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Army Staff Sergeant Kevin Reed

Specialty: All Source Analyst

Dates of Service: July 2002 - present

Decorations: ARCOM (4OLC), Good Conduct Medal (3 knots), Iraq Campaign Medal-Combat Service (1 star), Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 star), Joint Service Acheivement Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon (3 tours)

Tours of duty: Republic of Korea (Feb 2004-May 2006), Iraq (2009-10), Afghanistan (2012-Present)

Everything in combat is stressful. Regardless where one finds themselves, stress compounds and builds. Some people release their stress into prayer, yet, all too often find out that prayers go unanswered. Many chaplains I have encountered have been pretty open to athiests in the ranks, and one even supported our athiest group. Yet, in the current command climate I'm in, I am discouraged by the amount of religious propaganda that is perpetuated and accepted by senior command. Science, logic, and reason must be at the forefront of all military leadership. Failure to do so with a faux belief in a diety will likely be akin to me wishing for the Kansas City Royals to win next year's World Series. As much as I want it to happen, unless I can play on the team and contribute to wins, it probably won't.

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Army Sergeant William Yongue

Specialty: Finance

Dates of Service: Feb 2006 to present

Decorations: Army Achievement Medal (5), Army Commendation Medal (3), Combat Action Badge

Tours of duty: Rustamiyah, Iraq Oct 2007 - Jan 09; Fob Shank, Afghanistan Mar 2010 - Jan 2011, Camp Eggers Nov 2012 to present



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Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Bobby Daugherty

Specialty: Logistics Specialist

Dates of Service: April 2006 to April 2011

Decorations: National Defense Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Navy "E" Ribbon, Navy Overseas Service Ribbon (2), Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3), Navy And Marine Corps Achievement Medal

Tours of duty: September 2006 to September 2009 USS STETHEM DDG-63, September 2009 to April 2011 VFA-97 Warhawks

I was fortunate enough to not have to endure any form of discrimination due to my lack of faith. I was afforded the opportunity while in the United States Navy to work amongst some of the finest people I have ever known. My only regret is that I am no longer with them. I was known to many I served with to be abnormally literate as I was always reading in my spare time. I think people are more tolerant of opposing views if those views are based on study. I genuinely believe the majority of intolerance in this country comes from a lack of experience. I can honestly say that some of the more devout believers I worked with were some of the most noble as well. I can only hope that by having worked with me that they feel the same about an old heathern.

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Army Specialist Charles Hawes

Specialty: Intelligence Analyst

Dates of Service: Sep 2010 - present

Decorations: Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, ACM-CS, GWTSM, Army Service Ribbon

Tours of duty: OEF 12-13 Sept. 2012- June 2013

I have not experienced any real discrimination from my unit and even have a leader who for the most part shares many of my views on religion, with the only difference being he is more agnostic where I am a total atheist. I did not consider myself a hardcore atheist until I began my deployment here in Afghanistan. I was content with saying I do not believe in god but others can if it is a comfort to them however, the longer I stay in this country the more resistant to the idea of religion I become.

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Army Sergeant Walter Haynes

Specialty: Intel Analyst

Dates of Service: 27JUN07-Present

Decorations: Army Commendation Medal

Tours of duty: Al Udied AB, Qatar; 05JUL10-09NOV10



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Air Force Tech Sergeant Susan Ewin

Specialty: Weather Forecaster

Dates of Service: Oct 2000 - Present

I consider myself a Humanist. Even before I knew what Humanism was I believed in humanity over religion. For the majority of my life I have been too terrified to every speak up or "rock the boat" about anything, especially religion, but I have reached the point in my life that I am no longer content to let people just assume I am Christian. My family do not approve of my choice, but I've become angry at the hypocrisy of getting shipped around the world to fight religious fundamentalism, then brought back home to have another flavor of religious fundamentalism thrown in my face everywhere I turn. When I first came into the military I thought it was a truly equal career. Over the years I've come to see all the little discriminations that occur. Enough is enough. I swore to uphold the Constitution, not the Bible. I am "Good without God" and I refuse to hide anymore.

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Army Specialist Dennis Bailey

Specialty: Cook

Dates of Service: February 2008 - Present

Tours of duty: Jun 2009 - May 2010, Mar 2012 - Present

For the most part my Atheism hasn't been an issue except during my last deployment. I was struggling with a lot of stress and personal issues. I let the command know that I needed some help and asked to speak to mental health. The next day the chaplain shows up at our site and proceeds to counsel me. I didn't get any help from him because I just couldn't take him seriously. I told him I was Atheist and all of his advice became about giving my problems to the lord. When he found out I was a non believer and having a rough time he saw the perfect opportunity to exploit my weakness and turn his efforts to converting me rather than helping me. I later got to see the actual combat stress and got the help I needed at the time, but the "help" from the chaplain only succeeded in discouraging me more.

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Army 1st Lieutenant Landon Fisher

Specialty: Infantry

Dates of Service: 29 May 2009 - Present

Decorations: Bronze Star, Global War on Terror Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Service Medal (two campaigns), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Nato Service Medal.

Tours of duty: Afghanistan (Feb 11 - Nov 11)



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Army Private 1st Class Spencer Morrell

Specialty: Explosive Ordnance Disposal

Dates of Service: 03OCT11 - Current

Decorations: Army Achievement Medal

I believe that two hands working does more good than one hundred clasped in prayer. Prayer, God, Faith, is a psychological crutch people use to get them through hard times. No longer can we as adults turn to our parents as a source of comfort as we did as children. Instead we turn turn to a vibrant 2500 year story. Religion is rampant in the military, but only called upon when it is convenient. The movie "Kingdom of Heaven" spoke to this: "I put no stock in religion. By the word religion I have seen the lunacy of fanatics of every denomination be called the will of god. I have seen too much religion in the eyes of too many murderers. Holiness is in right action, and courage on behalf of those who cannot defend themselves, and goodness."

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Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Paul April

Specialty: Airframe Engineer

Dates of Service: Jan.1962 - Oct.1985

Tours of duty: 1961-63: B-52G & KC-135 Maintenance, Blytheville AFB, AR, 63-65: Atlas Missile crew, Plattsburgh AFB, NY, 65-68: Titan II Missile Crew, Davis Monthan AFB, AZ, 1970: F4d aircraft maintenance, Ubon AB, Thailand, 1971-75: F111 Maintenance, McClellan AFB, CA

I also served seven years (1985 -1992) engineering faculty (Mechanical Engineering), Penn State University, University Park, PA, Six Years (1992 - 1998) Sr. Airframe Engineer, Hq. RSAF (Royal Saudi Air Force), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

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Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Tim Heilers

Specialty: Submarine Sonar Technician

Dates of Service: August 2001 - Present

Tours of duty: USS Honolulu (Pearl Harbor, HI 2003-2006), USS La Jolla (Pearl Harbor, HI 2006-2008), USS Frank Cable (Apra Harbor, GU 2008-2010), COMSUBPAC Navy Data Center (Yokosuka, JP 2010-2012)

I've been sort of casually indifferent towards religions for the majority of my naval career. I could never find the one that fit "just right." As a submariner, I found myself occasionally having to remind people that God can't see through the steel used in submarine hulls and that he can't help us down there. Most often I'd just get a chuckle or a, "You know, you're right."The day that I first heard about the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, I knew that I had unknowingly been a devout Pastafarian for quite some time. I don't know anything about foxholes, but I'm sure there's plenty more atheists to be found in the silent service.

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Army Lieutenant Colonel Brian Robertson

Specialty: Physician

Dates of Service: June 1995-Present

Decorations: Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal

Tours of duty: Flight Surgeon, Iraq Feb 2004-Feb 2005, Kosovo Apr-July 2003. Currently stationed at Ft. Benning, GA

I don't really have any major problems with being an atheist in the military. It doesn't really come up very often. But I suspect other soldiers might have an issue with it, so I thought I would add my name to the list. I have had okay experiences with chaplains but they don't really get involved too much in my current job; there are the ceremonial prayers that everyone seems to ignore or politely sit through at ceremonies. I, like others, enjoy looking around for the other people who aren't joining in. I don't have to answer any questions or gotten any flak about my (lack of) beliefs, but I know this isn't always the case for enlisted soldiers.

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Air Force Staff Sergeant Nathan Lewellen

Specialty: Aircraft Maintenance

Dates of Service: 5 Aug 2008 - Present

Decorations: Meritorious Unit, Small Arms Marksmanship, Good Conduct Ribbon, Basic Military Training Honor Graduate, National Defense Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Ribbon, NATO Ribbon, Air Force Expeditionary Services, Air Force Training Ribbon

Tours of duty: Home station: Seymour Johnson AFB, April 2009-Present; Deployment: Afghanistan (Bagram AB) September 2009-January 2010

I must admit, that I don't really know specifically of things I've had to "opt out" of per se, but there have been numerous times in my career, to include basic training, tech school, and beyond that I've been uncomfortable in participating in mandatory formations in which prayers are held. Unfortunately, while I would love to just step out of formation and explain why later, I fear that doing so would put in more of a position where they would say "just go through the motions and stay where you are instead of disrupting things. I'd have to say the worst experience I've had was a time during tech school that I was being questioned about some trouble in which I had found myself. My MTL (military training leader) asked me directly, and behind closed doors, "do you believe in god?" I just told him "no" and he proceeded to explain to me rules of the Air Force regarding my situation with undertones of the morals reflected in those rules and where they "came from". I don't remember specifically as to whether or not he quoted the Bible or tried to bring up biblical stories, but is was one of the most emotionally prominent memories I have of the Air Force. I believe that the line between church and state has been blurred for far too long and needs to be redrawn with a VERY thick marker. It sickens me to think about the metaphysical ideas upon which decisions that affect the lives of myself, my fellow Airmen, my family and my country are based. I shudder to think of how life will be if the growing trend of religion in the government continues. It's been said that the war I fight even now is one based on religion. I don't think that's 100% true, but it's in no way 100% false either. It's a well-known fact that there have been more human beings killed on the face of this planet in the name of religions and gods than for any other cause or purpose. Religion's uncanny ability to obscure that fact and prevail over rationality prevents people, no matter how intelligent, from seeing this and putting a stop to it. This needs to come to an end. I only hope we, as a collection of races within one species can renounce religious dogma, and embrace rationality and logic and most of all life before we destroy it from the face of this earth forever over things that no one alive today can prove to be true.

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Navy Ensign Coey Sipes

Specialty: computer network manager

Dates of Service: Dec 2000 - Present

Decorations: Airmedal/Strike (2) Joint Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (2) various unit and campaign awards VQ-1 2002-2006 ISO Operation Enduring and Iraqi Freedom NIOC CO 2006-2010, NCTS Naples ISO Odyssey Dawn

Ever since I had to learn the command "Let us pray" I have been annoyed with religion in the military. While I was enlisted I went on numerous deployments and before we went on any of them we got our chaplain brief. Let us pray for a safe return. I would rather not leave it up to some mythical entity to decide if I come home or not, I would rather rely on the actual people I'm working with and then we won't have to pray for anything. I was also a colorguard member. Where at nearly every event I had to listen to some prayer or another. When I was doing a colorguard for a funeral, I was fine with it because its what made the family and friends of the member feel better so I say, fine sure let the people pray, its their moment of grief, its their day, I was never upset about attending them because, I though if being here in uniform helps ease this families pain at all, then its worth it, its what I chose to do. However, when I'm at the Navy ball I shouldn't have to bow my head in prayer or at a dining out or any other official military event. I think that for the predominately Christian population in the military, less main stream religions such as Muslim (there's only a handful of Muslim chaplains) and Buddhist are hard for them to handle atheism or agnostic generally are not favored.

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Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Francy Legault

Specialty: linguist

Dates of Service: Currently Serving

Decorations: Navy Achievement Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Battle "E" Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals, National Service Defense Medal, Pistol and Rifle Sharpshooter Ribbons

Tours of duty: Deployed to the Persian in support of OEF and OIF 2006-2007

I believe prayer in combat is fine for individuals who believe. It shouldn't be forced on everybody because not everyone believes the same. If they do want to hold a public prayer, then allow us atheists to leave for the duration of the prayer. I was deployed on the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower for 8 months to the Gulf and every night over the 1MC (the announcement system) was prayer. I found it intrusive. I felt like a captured audience. Also, in boot camp, we were learning commands - right face, march, all that and 1 command is "Let Us Pray" and we were told it didn't matter what we believed, when we heard that command, we HAD to bow our heads. So prayer is a command. I try as often as possible these days not to bow my head, most people don't notice because their heads are bowed. I do find many people are very intolerant of nontheists, mostly these are the "fundies." I am absolutely an atheist in the foxhole.

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Army Captain James Higgins

Specialty: Patriot surface to air missiles

Dates of Service: May 1998 to June 2006

Decorations: Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), Army Commendation Medal (ARCOM), Army Achievement Medal (AAM), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (AFEM), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal (GWOTEM), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal (GWOTSM), Army Service Ribbon (ASR) and Overseas Service Ribbon (OSR)

Tours of duty: Operation Northern Watch, Incurlik AB, Turkey, 1999. Operation Southern Watch, Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia, 2001. Operation Iraqi Freedom, Al Jabar AB, Kuwait, 2003. I also had assignments in Germany, Korea, Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, Ft. Bliss, TX, and Nellis AFB, NV

Despite my multiple deployments to the Middle East, I never experienced what I would consider combat. So, I do not use the term "combat veteran" to describe myself and have no first-hand experience with prayer in combat. Regarding prayer in general, I conceptualize it as the western tradition of centering or meditation, and have no issues with those who chose to practice it on thier own or in groups of like-minded individuals. Of course, I firmly believe that rational thought and personal responsibility are far better solutions to problems than wishing for a supernatural "out" from life's trials! But if someone needs to indulge in a few minutes of quiet reflection, that doesn't bother me. I have only rarely directly experienced religious discrimination. Although, many, many times I silently rolled my eyes when chaplains would offer prayers at meetings, official social functions, before deployments, and at any other activity where everyone was forced to attend and listen. Especially the prayers offered "in Jesus' name", which is presumptious, exclusionary and offensive to any non-Christian. I definitely have been made to feel excluded by others (including some, but not most chaplains) and I do feel that if I were more outspoken in my younger years about my disbelief, there would have been potential for far more. I also strongly object to compulsory religious services. (Yes, they did happen. We weren't ordered into the chapel, but it was "frowned upon" to object.)

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Navy Petty Officer 2nd Class Royce Hairston

Specialty: Intelligence

Dates of Service: Oct 09 - Current

Decorations: Pistol Qualification, Global War on Terrorism, National Defense

Tours of duty: NAS Fallon Sept 22 - Current

I have not been in the Navy for very long, but during my service so far I have come across several instances of intolerance. The intolerance I have faced has not been from my chain of command but rather my fellow junior enlisted. I would advise anyone with these problems to handle yourself with tact and discretion when making your point to your shipmates or combat partners. You can control the situation and make it tolerable if you maintain a cool head.

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Army Warrant Officer 1 Christopher Roberts

Specialty: Flight Student

Dates of Service: 23 AUG 2006 through present

Decorations: Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Medical Badge

Tours of duty: August-November 2006 Boot Camp, Fort Benning, GA. November 2006-May 2007 AIT, 68W (Medic) Fort Sam Houston, TX. May-June 2007 Reception and Rear Detachment at Fort Lewis, WA. June 2007-2008 OIF, Camp Taji and FOB Warhorse, (Husseiniyah, Rashitya, Baqubah, Tharir) Iraq. June 2008-January 2009 HSB 2-12 Field Artillery, 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, WA. January 2009-March 2011, DiLorenzo TriCare Health Clinic, The Pentagon, Washington, DC. March 2011-Present, Warrant Officer Flight Training, (1st Warrant Officer Company and Bravo Company, 1-145th Aviation Regiment) Fort Rucker, AL

I have been told to bow my head in respect to others during prayer at mandatory formations for changes of command/pass and reviews. I have never made a big stink about it, just ignored the order/guidance to bow my head and looked around at how rainy of a day it was at Fort Lewis, WA. Another thing I found to be very disheartening was being required to talk with our unit's chaplain after being involved as the Medic in an IED attack on our vehicle that killed our former platoon sergeant and wounded everyone else besides me. I was always told that 'God has a soft spot for Medics' but even after walking away with all my limbs and my life on that day, I held firm in my choice of being an Atheist. I didn't pray for the deceased 'soul' nor did I even think about meeting with the chaplain regarding the event. When we met with the chaplain we were asked to pray and yet again, I found myself looking around the room thinking 'what are we accomplishing here again?' There was no divine presence there to help any of us through the event, just the guys sitting around being reminded of a really bad day. We had multiple occasions where our chaplain came out and asked that we pray before we went out on patrols/raids. I was always busy on missions being one of only 3 medics in our Battery so, I was there for most of these prayers thinking, 'Religion is why we are in this war in the first place, haven't you guys figured that out yet?' I am also not very fond of the morning prayers we had in Warrant Officer Candidacy School where the unit chaplain would be asked to pray after we concluded with PT. During each ceremony we had at Candidate School, (after PT on different occasions, during the 'Senior Pinning' ceremonies, graduation and Oath of Office ceremonies), the chaplain was there to pray with us and I stood there trying not to think that I had more productive things to accomplish with my time than wasting it with prayer. It would be one thing if the formations weren't required but, who would want to miss their Appointment to WO1 ceremony because prayer was interwoven into the ceremony's events? Another side note I found to be very coercive was that all Service Members who were married were allowed to visit with family members during Sunday worship services while those who weren't religious or those who weren't married were stuck on work details during that period of time. The Candidate School Policy places a restriction on candidates having visitation while assigned to Candidate School with threats of elimination if found to be visiting when not on a pass. It gave the appearance that religious service members were rewarded for going to church while the rest suffered through work details and no visitation for six weeks. I had a long discussion one day with our chaplain in Iraq about his stance on faith and god and whether any of the stuff he earns a living preaching about was actually true. He was very open to discussion and very stubborn to acknowledge the delusional nature of his stance on religion. He didn't take very kindly to being asked whether he feels that his faith was better defined as his delusion but still left the subject open to discussion. I tend to not profess to 