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Was going to services mandated by the particular branch you were in basic training? Was it required or has this become less stringent?
Basic Training
Religion
Mandatory
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 62
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Lets be honest it was better than doing details on sunday. Plus it was great reconnect with the higher power during this time.
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I went thru basic at Fort Knox in 2000 and on Sunday you were not mandated to attend religious services, but unless you wanted to be "actively engaged" in some cadre-mandated activity, you took the time to be with God. It actually helped me to get a closer to the Lord, but I did see others who just used the time to sleep! To each his own...
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LCpl Steve Wininger
I agree with you Rebecca. Faith in God can do a lot to heal those who struggle emotionally.
In one of your previous remarks you mentioned getting word out to the chaplains. Unless we were in the field, the chaplain was more reactive then proactive. Perhaps if the spiritual leaders of each unit was more active in the spiritual well being of their unit they could offer alternatives such as what you are mentioning.
One residual benefit, beside getting closer to God, is the exposure to other believers that one would possibly not have known existed. There are many benefits to what you are suggesting.
One similar program is the student led prayer at the flagpole at high schools.
The military does not have to endorse the idea, but in all fairness, they should allow initiatives such as yours.
In one of your previous remarks you mentioned getting word out to the chaplains. Unless we were in the field, the chaplain was more reactive then proactive. Perhaps if the spiritual leaders of each unit was more active in the spiritual well being of their unit they could offer alternatives such as what you are mentioning.
One residual benefit, beside getting closer to God, is the exposure to other believers that one would possibly not have known existed. There are many benefits to what you are suggesting.
One similar program is the student led prayer at the flagpole at high schools.
The military does not have to endorse the idea, but in all fairness, they should allow initiatives such as yours.
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PO2 Russell "Russ" Lincoln
I spent 15 years in the service of our country, first as a Marine then as a Navy Corpsman. I was never forced to attend services nor punished for not going. So make your offer of brotherhood/sisterhood, and don't be offended when I decline.
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In 92 for my platoon at least it was not mandatory. It was strongly recommended, but they never messed with those that chose not to and allowed us to sit quietly, read, etc. I discovered early on that it provided the one time a week where there was time for a sit down head call!
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As others have said, you could go to service...or stay in the barracks and clean the entire thing. So while not mandated (we had a choice), it was a crap choice (along the lines of "believe in me and love me or you're damned forever").
It was a useless fight, as the services will always support the side of the religious over us "heathens" any time - my current unit send out scripture quotes every day and will not remove those who ask from the distro list - just saying "you can delete it if you don't want it" (who needs server space anyway...). So I stayed back, relaxed a little having less stupid 18 year olds around for 90 min and did laundry or something.
There were LOTS of Soldiers who went to service for the sole purpose of not being around the Drill Sgt for a lil bit, which I also disagreed with. Don't overfill a service if you aren't participating, let those who desire the true meaning of a service (which is a different discussion) use their service, but don't just use it to escape from the Drill Sgt.
It was a useless fight, as the services will always support the side of the religious over us "heathens" any time - my current unit send out scripture quotes every day and will not remove those who ask from the distro list - just saying "you can delete it if you don't want it" (who needs server space anyway...). So I stayed back, relaxed a little having less stupid 18 year olds around for 90 min and did laundry or something.
There were LOTS of Soldiers who went to service for the sole purpose of not being around the Drill Sgt for a lil bit, which I also disagreed with. Don't overfill a service if you aren't participating, let those who desire the true meaning of a service (which is a different discussion) use their service, but don't just use it to escape from the Drill Sgt.
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Yes it was required - as you went everywhere as a company. So the last thing the Navy was going to do was allow x number to sit back at the barracks while x went “to church.”
“Yay - we get to sit down!” I thought. Wrong answer. Standing up in Florida heat. Shit! Excused myself to use the bathroom. While walking there, I look in an open door and see a dozen sailors sitting on bean bags in air conditioning. The big leader beckons me in - “come in - plenty of room.” I go in and...
Korans...
And that kids...is how little Donny Murphy became a Muslim...
“Yay - we get to sit down!” I thought. Wrong answer. Standing up in Florida heat. Shit! Excused myself to use the bathroom. While walking there, I look in an open door and see a dozen sailors sitting on bean bags in air conditioning. The big leader beckons me in - “come in - plenty of room.” I go in and...
Korans...
And that kids...is how little Donny Murphy became a Muslim...
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SFC James Corona
We were marched to and from our BT Barracks to the Chapel by Drill Sergeants on Sunday at Fort Gordon, Georgia. We needed the mental rest due to so much BCT. The stress during BCT was necessary for possible combat in near future.
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It wasn't mandatory for boots to attend services, but, to quote my First Assistant Drill Instructor, "...So, we're all going to be good little Christians and attend Divine Services, in accordance with our religious beliefs... Because, when you recruits are in church - that's MY "Free Time"..."
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