I remember basic on Sundays. You could either go to religious services or scrub latrines yet again. Not exactly forced, but I wasn't the only atheist in the chapel there to finally get a short break.
I don't agree with them wanting to change ceremonies (when in Rome...), but the persecution is real. I never had a chaplain try to convert me though, and I've known -- and respected -- a lot of them. May just be a few bad apples.
My Dad was a lifer (Air Force), and an atheist, altho I doubt he preached that to anyone. He never mentioned any sort of persecution.
I'm sorry for your experiences. Though I'm not a vet, I worked with military unit's on military bases (not basic training!!) most of my adult life. MOST were enlisted, not officers.
I knew several atheists/agnostics at many bases — I don't have a “religious preference”, but I believe in God) — and I saw nor heard of any problems from them -- FWIW...
There should be NO (nadda, ZIP) persecution whatsoever, but what I saw as a red hearing was the emphasis by the head of this outfit on the saying “there are no atheists in foxholes” as though this was Pentagon policy -- or even opinion -- AND it meant that atheist/agnostics don't "exist"
This is -- or became before I was born (I'm 61) -- a “general/civilian” saying that means scared people will likely pray and is a general metaphor (accurate or not) for all situations for people in danger of dying...thanks for the reply!!!