Posted on Mar 16, 2018
PFC Cavalry Scout
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my chain of command said that I can’t go to religious services while I’m on extra duty
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LCDR Chaplain Corps Officer
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No you can't be denied religious services. However, they can limit the number of times you are allowed to attend. If you are allowed to go to the regularly scheduled worship service on Sunday (or whenever it is scheduled) they can say that you have been afforded the opportunity to worship and deny the right to attend additional opportunities like Bible study. Not sure about the Army, but at least in the Navy things like Bible study don't fall under the heading of "religious services", but "religious education."
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LCDR Chaplain Corps Officer
LCDR (Join to see)
>1 y
Oh, I absolutely understand. I spent 6 weeks in the field with the Marines at 29 Palms, twice, and yeah, it's very hard as a chaplain to get to everyone every week. That's why I say service SHOULD be offered, not WILL be offered every week. I tried my best to get to all my Marines every week, but it just wasn't always possible. While deployed to Okinawa I had one company that spent a month in South Korea. I couldn't get to them at all. I had to rely on other chaplains that were in-country.

And BTW, it's LT not LTC. I'm Navy so it's the equivalent of an Army Captain.
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CPL Leslie Martinez
CPL Leslie Martinez
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LCDR (Join to see) - So, how would you handle the various denominations and beliefs? As it is, not all are even covered, but in the field, you would have logistics hell.

I Like SSgt Baptists solution.
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LCDR Chaplain Corps Officer
LCDR (Join to see)
>1 y
CPL Leslie Martinez - SSgt Joseph Baptist nailed it. Lay leaders.
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Cpl Bill Broom
Cpl Bill Broom
>1 y
SSgt Joseph Baptist - Yes, we call them "lay leaders" because they have not been ordained by a denomination. However, God ordains through the Holy Spirit. Same goes for Baptisms. It can be done in the field by "lay leaders". God knows what's in our hearts. (My step son is an Army Chaplain (Major) and I'm USMC vet and retired hospice chaplain.)
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
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The best I can say is, carry your Bible with you, and read a little when you get time, God doesn't care where you are when you want to commune with Him, I've done it in the field and while waiting for the commander to get out of his meetings.
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SSG Orderly Room Ncoic
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8 y
CPT (Join to see) - i also didn't realize wear and appearance of the military uniform dictated religious attendance while on extra duty.
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SPC Casey Ashfield
SPC Casey Ashfield
>1 y
Good advice. Many unit chaplains carry pocket Bibles for the worshiping service member on the go.
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SGT Retired
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>1 y
CPT (Join to see) - I can’t honestly say I ever read 670-1 cover to cover, every single word. So I can’t say that it’s not in there. But I dont recall ever seeing the religious service attendance provision in 670-1.
If I’m off base, I hope someone can provide some clarity.
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SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth
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SFC Kelly Fuerhoff - Thank you for the added info Kelly.
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CPT Board Member
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You are permitted to attend one religion service a week. If they don’t allow either then you should have a reason for recourse. Just deal with it tactfully as you don’t want to end up in more trouble.
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PFC Cavalry Scout
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8 y
Yes sir. My chaplain talked to my CO and cleared the air. CO said that since he was allowing me to go on Sunday that he would not make an exception for bible study.
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CPT Board Member
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8 y
Glad to hear it got sorted out!
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Can I be denied religious services while on extra duty?
SFC Michael Hasbun
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"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly"

When you're scrubbing out the shitter, close the stall and pray. It's be more well received on gods answering machine.
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LCpl Cody Collins
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That's why The Bible says study to show thy self approved unto God, a workman that needeth not be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth.
In other words if you study your Bible it will be in your heart so when you have extra duty you just meditate on what's already in your heart . if you don't study your Bible then there will be nothing there in your heart for you to meditate on when situations like extra duty come to pass. Because you signed up to serve your country not hold Bible study when it's convenient for you.
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CSM Patrick Durr
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If you were routinely going to an organized religious service before you committed whatever offense you committed to get onto extra duty, it is likely that you'll have no problem continuing to attend a service ON POST, with minimal time to get there and back. However, if you've suddenly found some religion to get out of a few hours of cutting grass around the company headquarters...good luck.
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CH (COL) Geoff Bailey
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Have you contacted your Chaplain regarding your request to attend services?

There are many variables to consider in your request. The DoD places a high emphasis on facilitation of free exercise of religion in the least restrictive manner. This is part of why we have chaplains and chapel services. That said, each command makes decisions in consultation with their respective JAG and Chaplain.

I’ve had extra duty Soldiers attend during their extra duty and I’ve also seen units require Soldiers who miss an hour of duty pull an additional hour after their peers left. As a Chaplain, I have my own opinion on that, but supported the command as they did what they felt was equitable.

Refusing access to any options of religious services which are the expression of the adherent is not permissible. Creating solutions which balance free exercise with UCMJ punishment is what leaders do in collaboration with trusted advisors.
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LTC Multifunctional Logistician
LTC (Join to see)
8 y
Thank you for that chaplain, my thoughts exactly.
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PFC Cavalry Scout
PFC (Join to see)
8 y
Thank you for the information sir. My Chaplain and I attend Sunday worship and bible study together. He talked to my CO and said that since he was allowing me to attend on Sunday, that he would not make an exception for the Bible study. They only gave me 7 days of ED so it’s not as big of a deal as if the denied me to go on Sunday.
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SGM Erik Marquez
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Edited >1 y ago
Denied NO, accommodated to your liking NO.
If it was for an SM I felt was not living up to Army Standards, Id have the Chaplin come visit you on your lunch break, you can commune with god at that time, and the go back to work.

No place in the regulation does it require a specific place, "type" or length of service for the required religious service. Just that you must be afforded one... Congrats, sit down, eat your MRE with the Chaplin and commune with god.

That said, if the SM was doing really well on his overall attitude adjustment, I felt fully corrected the transgression that got them there, on time every time for ED, accomplished all assigned tasks to standard and never found slacking when on ED (or during the duty day) Id be inclined to send them to the regularly scheduled service of their choice that week... as an atty boy for doing the right thing. Even when no one is watching
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Sgt Harlin Seritt
Sgt Harlin Seritt
>1 y
More than fair. (y)
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PO1 Mary Vermont
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Your in the militry, what is the problem. You do what your told
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PFC Cavalry Scout
PFC (Join to see)
8 y
Yes, but I have religion in my life. I know I’m a soldier first but I still like to keep intact with my Creator.
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PO1 Mary Vermont
PO1 Mary Vermont
8 y
And you think taht has to be in a specific way? God is everwhere
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CWO3 Us Marine
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Not up on current regs or Army, but folks on restriction and/or EPD due to UCMJ had to be allowed to attend services in years past. The BN legal folks drafted the restriction/EPD papers. They were kept in custody of the Duty NCO (same as CQ in Army?), and they had to initial them at the prescribed times after working hours. They also spelled out the only places they were authorized to be other than duty, or the barracks. I recall place of worship being allowed.
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PFC Cavalry Scout
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8 y
Thank you, I got everything figured out with my CO
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