"Religious freedom is fine, but not in uniform and not during duty hours. In the military, discussing religion or politics in uniform and during duty hours is a major no-no, and when it happens the level of discomfort goes through the roof."
Not sure if you're aware of this or not, but the Military is on Duty Hours 24 and 7, 365 days out of the year. In Uniform or not.
Denying them the right to their religious freedom at ANY time to pray, read the bible or even talk amongst themselves about their beliefs is a direct violation of the 1st Amendment.
Now, within reason, a superior officer should not preach to a subordinate, unless that subordinate is in his or her church. But your assertation that they should not be allowed to practice their faith in uniform and on duty is incorrect.
That cannot be correct. Among other things, getting a drink at the Enlisted Club becomes "being drunk on duty."
The military distinguishes on-duty and off-duty, and does provide many accommodations to religious practices. However, there are many restrictions that distinguish when and where religious practices are authorized.
For example, proselytizing is completely forbidden in the entire overseas CENTCOM region of operations. And any extraneous conversation may be restricted during a mission cycle, for obvious reasons.
If objections are made by someone who has been approached to discuss religion, then the advocate may be directed to not approach them again.
And if soldiers or officers are required to be in attendance, then it is inappropriate for them to be addressed on the subjects of politics or religion, except as relates to military policies concerning these two.
The military does reserve the right to recognize only major religions.
These are not unduly restrictive, and are needed for the proper functioning of the military and its mission; plus there is ample opportunity for accommodation for those who feel a policy inhibits their religious practices.