"In the 80s. I can see why you had more problems."
Ah. Perhaps my experience helped make it easier for later enlistees. I've often wondered about that. It appeared that I was the first new airman to insist that the dog tags should say "atheist." Nobody knew quite what to do about me.
Finally, I was sent to a Roman Catholic chaplain, a bird colonel, as a matter of fact. I explained the situation to him and we had a nice long chat about religious issues. He lent me a copy of some of Augustine's writings, then told the Captain in charge of my company to see that I got dog tags that said "atheist" on them. He called him on the phone while I was there with him.
The next day, I had my dog tags and went on with my training. Seems like the 1st amendment won out in the end.
Even as an atheist, I've always respected chaplains, and I've worked with several of them.