If my religion is not recognized, what's next?

Tim Scheible — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 21:17:37 -0400

I follow asatru paganism. I am recruited for 13fox airborne. Leave sept 4th for bt at Jackson. Can I get my religion recognized.it is slightly important, I just want the proper head stone. *I do not associate with white power/racism. I joined assuming we are all brothers and sisters and will fight to my very core for that belief* thank you

Response by CH (COL) Geoff Bailey made Aug 26 at 2018 9:24 PM

CH (COL) Geoff Bailey — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 21:24:01 -0400

Submit a request when you file your paperwork at inprocessing and see if the Chaplain can assist in supporting your request.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2018 9:24 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 21:24:40 -0400

I'm sure things will be fine! I had a lieutenant colonel whose wife was a Buddhist and he was an atheist and he is still a very nice guy to talk to. He is an armor officer and he just got promoted to Colonel. As long as you have goodness in your heart, being religious or not makes no difference. Just make sure you learn and follow Army resiliency training. It will help you when times are tough. It will give you a sense of self and appreciate what you do have not what you don't have.

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Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2018 9:28 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 26 Aug 2018 21:28:42 -0400

Did someone say you would have a problem with your religion?

Response by SSG Nana Togonmessie Abloklu Danfira Adedufira made Aug 27 at 2018 12:21 AM

SSG Nana Togonmessie Abloklu Danfira Adedufira — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 00:21:57 -0400

Asatru is a well known and (relatively) common religious expression in the military, particularly within Combat Arms.
Get with your Chaplain and ask about the Distinctive Faith Group Leaders (DFGL), and try to get connected. If you run into a lack of support, search online for one of the national organizations for your religion.
What you should not expect is to have standards or schedules grossly adjusted to accommodate your faith based needs. Thne military might bend for you a little but it will not break to accommodate your faith.
Good luck.

Response by SPC Margaret Higgins made Aug 27 at 2018 12:58 AM

SPC Margaret Higgins — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 00:58:01 -0400

Tim Scheible:GOD Loves you, Tim.

Response by SFC Pete Kain made Aug 27 at 2018 9:38 AM

SFC Pete Kain — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 09:38:11 -0400

Worried about the proper headstone? Put your wishes in a will problem solved.

Response by SGT Tony Clifford made Aug 27 at 2018 11:16 AM

SGT Tony Clifford — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 11:16:37 -0400

I don't think you'll need to worry. I've known several soldiers.who worshiped the Norse gods. You shouldn't have too much trouble. In fact, I had a soldier who was an asatru pagan. I'm not sure why you had to preface you beliefs with a disclaimer. I've never heard of Norse Pagans being associated with white supremacy. Funeral arrangements are generally handled by family. If you're concerned about your wishes being honored, you can always setup a will.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Aug 27 at 2018 1:03 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 13:03:39 -0400

1. It will take more than just 1 of you to get recognition. w, Was Airborne for 22 yrs, never planned for a headstone, maybe a pile of brass and dead bodies, but not a headstone. 3. Something to check on with maybe a chaplain, etc.

Response by SPC Henry Francis made Aug 27 at 2018 11:30 PM

SPC Henry Francis — Mon, 27 Aug 2018 23:30:18 -0400

That has always been according to the history and organizational record of the “religion”. The purpose is to disallow people to just make up new religions on the fly. If that were allowed we would have all sorts of fanciful religions rising and falling in days, months or years (mostly as a closely held tax shelter) rather than it taking decades or centuries. Just hang in there. If yours stays true to its established structure long enough it will eventually be recognized.

Response by SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM made Aug 28 at 2018 9:30 AM

SFC William Stephens A. Jr., 3 MSM, JSCM — Tue, 28 Aug 2018 09:30:53 -0400

answer OTHER