Yeah, that business about a chaplain not having to do things that are against his beliefs will last about a month or two. Then the lavender mafia will lower the boom and they’ll be forced to marry homosexuals whether they like it or not. Remember: Chaplains are military officers under the direction of the president, who is almost certainly a closet case, so good luck with that. I wouldn’t join the Army today if you put a gun to my head.
They will not be forced to do something against their moral beliefs - they will merely be deemed "unsuitable" for the job and let go - just like the run-of-the-mill GI who won't toe the line.
I'm glad I retired before it got this bad - I work with the Military and many are sick by it - but far too many have no issues. It's bad that the Nation has been emasculated - it's scary that the Military is following suit.
Notice the wording: "a chaplain is not required to participate in or officiate a private ceremony if doing so would be in variance with the tenets of his or her religion.”
If gay marriage is not explicitly outlawed by his religious hierarchy, then the chaplain WILL BE required to officiate, without regard to his personal opinion on the matter. This will make it hard for many Protestant chaplains.
That's true but incomplete, 2ndDiv. As a retired military chaplain, most of America doesn't realize that a military chaplain must be recertified annually by his/her denomination.
If they are not, then they are removed from service as a chaplain. Nor can they simply switch denoninations. They must simultaneously have both their losing denomination and their gaining denomination approve of their retention.
Of course, so long as they are on duty status they are at the direction of the officers appointed over them.
My denomination, for example, officially rejects marrying homosexuals. While some United Methodists might do it on the sly, they would not have that luxury in the military in which all would have to be above board by law.