Did faith have an impact on your military experience? How?

SMSgt Tony Barnes — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 18:56:31 -0400

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2015 7:07 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 19:07:12 -0400

I have faith that my fellow Soldiers will pull through. I have faith that my fellow Soldiers won't be left behind by their comrades. I have faith that the Soldiers in commo will keep the connections strong, faith that the Soldiers who cook will keep the food coming, faith that the Soldiers in MI will provide accurate, timely, and actionable intelligence, at least often enough to roll up the bad guy. I also have faith that the Infantry will actually roll up that bad guy, and that artillery will support them. I have faith that the cav scouts will provide critical observation to the battlefield, and that Rangers will conduct precision clearing when needed. I have faith that the men and women who wear the uniform I have proudly worn will each play their part with honor, valor, fidelity, efficacy, and, in the case of combat arms, deadly accuracy.

But no, I don't believe in God.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Sep 15 at 2015 7:33 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 19:33:49 -0400

Yes SMSgt Tony Barnes faith has made a tremendous impact on my life as a soldier.
When I enlisted in 1974, I was an atheist and had limited faith in myself, the soldiers I served with come of whom I saw prove to be untrustworthy and unfaithful, the leaders who are fallible and the system known as the Army which although relatively sound in design, organization and function is fallible.
In 1987, I recognized my need for God since everything else I had tried brought nothing reliable to my life. From then until I left the Army in 2008 and since my faith in God which is based on a personal daily relationship with Him sustained me. The more I placed my faith absolutely in Him the greater He worked in my life from healing me from shingles and a prostate infection after Fort Benning doctors misdiagnosed me; He sovereignly raising my infant son from the dead at 6 months even after I argued with Him; He convinced me to not give up during the buy out in October 1992 and led me to a wonderful career plus gave me childhood dream back by allowing me to serve in the military in the USAR and get promoted to LTC after being passed over twice just in time for me to serve after 9/11/2001; and He healed me on the operating room table at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 2003 after I lost 15 units of blood. Those of are some of the highlights of what God did for me as I served His people as a teacher and usher from 1989 until the present.I was not really religious. However my faith in God which is based on a personal daily relationship with Him sustained me. The more I placed my faith absolutely in Him the greater He worked in my life from healing me from shingles and a prostate infection after Fort Benning doctors misdiagnosed me; He sovereignly raising my infant son from the dead at 6 months even after I argued with Him; He liked me to not give up during the buy out in October 1992 and led me to a wonderful career plus gave me childhood dream back by allowing me to serve in the military in the USAR and get promoted to LTC after being passed over twice just in time for me to serve after 9/11/2001; and He healed me on the operating room table at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in 2003 after I lost 15 units of blood. Those of are some of the highlights of what God did for me as I served His people as a teacher and usher from 1989 until the present.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made Sep 15 at 2015 8:04 PM

SA Harold Hansmann — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 20:04:16 -0400

Faith in my Brother and Sisters in arms and my training.

Response by SSgt Alex Robinson made Sep 15 at 2015 8:51 PM

SSgt Alex Robinson — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 20:51:35 -0400

I used my faith to guide me in my interactions with my subordinates and all I came in contact with during my time in the Air Force.

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Sep 16 at 2015 12:55 PM

LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 12:55:59 -0400

I was always able to find a home away from home in the Jewish chapels. The Jewish Welfare Board prayer book includes a prayer that starts "Far from home and the ones I love..." This was always a favorite of mine...

Response by SrA Edward Vong made Sep 16 at 2015 12:58 PM

SrA Edward Vong — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 12:58:50 -0400

"Fight for honor, fight for your life.
Pray to God that our side is right."

- A7X