You are correct. Despite the atheist’s claim in the article, the old adage, “There are no atheists in foxholes.” is a reflection of reality.
Make no mistake. There WILL be ministers on the battlefield. Does a commander wish to have such an important influence on the fighting spirit of his warriors outside his purview?
Exactly. If chaplains were eliminated, servicemen would naturally gravitate toward other servicemen who were grounded in their faith. Especially on the battlefield, it is imperative that people understand that they are not alone in their feelings of fear, grief and guilt -- they are going to talk with someone about it no matter what the atheists think.
If atheists can find inner peace without God, good for them; however, the reality remains that most people cannot and the stress of war only serves to magnify one's need for God.