[right-wing agnostic]

I realize that this decision is not popular around Free Republic, but I think this is a constitutionally sound decision by the U.S. Air Force./rwa

[pepsionice]

It ought to be noted that up until 2013...they had the two options and someone (unknown and not brought into the controversy) made the decision that the God-phrase was the only option. The Marines, Army and Navy? That’s the odd thing...they continued on with the two options, as has been the case for decades.

The Pentagon legal staff really didn’t do anything except ask what Air Force idiot made the change, and how they’d come to that rational decision, while the other services maintained the decades-old standard of two options.

I think the Air Force was a bit embarrassed by the whole thing and looking around at what other little rule changes have been tossed into the works that suggest some type of agenda at work.

[headstamp 2]

How about “so help me Hanna”?

[GeronL]

and soon enough, they will ban that from the oath

just like gay sex in the barracks is okay, but not Bibles and prayers

[Finalapproach29er]

this is a constitutionally sound decision
*****
I’m sure that explanation will work well with God when these Godless officers are praying to Him in combat.

Forgive them Lord for they know not what they do....

[Vanders9]

I think its a sound decision. An oath is meant to be binding, by having you call upon something that you hold very dear to bind you. If you don't believe in the God you vow to, it calls into question the validity of your promise.

I still think it's sad that such a day has come to pass though.

[chris37]

Not surprising.

America has strayed from the Shepherd, and I don’t think she will find her way back.

People that don’t believe in God don’t think He exists because they cannot find Him anywhere. They can see no evidence of Him.

But all the while they looked around, they never looked in the place that He is.

Inside of us.

But it is quite clear that many people in this country and elsewhere are very much empty in that regard.

[Gene Eric]

Sound?

Disheartening.

[Vendome]

No man should be forced to acknowledge God or a religion in service of their country, under a government job.

If he wants to believe in nothing, then let him be a Buddhist, so be it.

If he chooses no god, then his conscience should be his guide.

If he wants to be a Hindu, then let Vishnu guide him.

if a man wants to swear an oath to God, then he should be allowed to acknowledge his presence in his life.

[ourworldawry]

“I realize that this decision is not popular around Free Republic, but I think this is a constitutionally sound decision by the U.S. Air Force./rwa”

Bad move, because guess who their ‘Co-Pilot” is NOW.
God help em.

[laweeks]

Not surprised. Their calendar for 2014 doesn’t even mention Easter. Disgusting.

[Fresh Wind]

Is “so help me Obama” acceptable?

[MD Expat in PA]

The issue drew attention to a previously unnoticed rule change: The rules governing the Air Force’s enlistment oaths used to include a note stating that “Airmen may omit the words ‘so help me God,’ if desired for personal reasons.” That exception quietly disappeared in October 2013, after which the Air Force required the inclusion of the full oath for any enlistment or reenlistment.

The rules used to allow the omission of the words “so help me God” if desired for personal reasons until recently. I don’t know how long the prior rule was in place, but they are just reverting back to what had been in place before and what other service branches allow. No biggie. Those who wish to not omit it, can still say it and those who wish not to say it (including, if I am not mistaken, some Christian sects who do not believe in evoking the “name of God or G-D if you will, in an “oath”).

[Old Yeller]

Might as well, God won’t help this country anymore anyway, without an enormous spiritual renewal.

[Drew68]

I realize that this decision is not popular around Free Republic, but I think this is a constitutionally sound decision by the U.S. Air Force./rwa

I agree. I'm actually surprised it's gone unchallenged this long.

[fuzzylogic]

Is this not a litmus test now? Will people opt-out of saying it for fear of those that would discriminate against the religious?

And I disagree on constitutionality, hasn’t it been this way since...forever? How is this, only now, unconstitutional? So, the same for swearing in a president? ...all of the other instances in our system? It’s just another attack on the judeo-christian ethics that has woven the fabric of our society and driven our system of government and law.

[DJ MacWoW]

Whose Constitution?

Morality in the Army and Navy

Congress was apprehensive about the moral condition of the American army and navy and took steps to see that Christian morality prevailed in both organizations. In the Articles of War, seen below, governing the conduct of the Continental Army (adopted, June 30, 1775; revised, September 20, 1776), Congress devoted three of the four articles in the first section to the religious nurture of the troops. Article 2 "earnestly recommended to all officers and soldiers to attend divine services." Punishment was prescribed for those who behaved "indecently or irreverently" in churches, including courts-martial, fines and imprisonments. Chaplains who deserted their troops were to be court-martialed.

Morality in the Navy

Congress particularly feared the navy as a source of moral corruption and demanded that skippers of American ships make their men behave. The first article in Rules and Regulations of the Navy (below), adopted on November 28, 1775, ordered all commanders "to be very vigilant . . . to discountenance and suppress all dissolute, immoral and disorderly practices." The second article required those same commanders "to take care, that divine services be performed twice a day on board, and a sermon preached on Sundays." Article 3 prescribed punishments for swearers and blasphemers: officers were to be fined and common sailors were to be forced "to wear a wooden collar or some other shameful badge of distinction."

[Arrowhead1952]

Thanks to Debra Lee Jones. From Dec 2013.

WASHINGTON – Deborah Lee James will be installed as the new Air Force Secretary next Tuesday, following a Senate confirmation vote Friday.

Although Ms. James was not a controversial nominee — winning approval on a 79-6 vote Friday — her confirmation has been held up for months.

[FrankR]

I entered the U.S, Air Force in January, 1964. Among the things I was issued was a pocket-sized Bible. It was not forced on me, and I was never forced to attend church. The military did nothing to force religion on any of us.

The Bibles were of our personal preference, I.e. “Protestant, Catholic”, etc.

This whacked out notion that the military forced religion on anyone is as absurd as it is untrue.