How much does the USD Military spend supporting religion

[Coyotl]

This just came across my radar:
www.ndguard.ngb.army.mil/news/Pages/Chaplain-Gion-Commissioned-NDNG.aspx

BISMARCK, N.D. — The North Dakota Army National Guard welcomed a Catholic chaplain to its ranks in a ceremony held at Raymond J. Bohn Armory here today.

Monsignor Chad Gion was sworn in and commissioned as a 1st Lieutenant. He will serve as a chaplain assigned to the North Dakota National Guard’s Bismarck-based 1st Battalion, 112th Aviation Regiment (Security and Support).

“This is a wonderful day for the North Dakota National Guard,” Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota adjutant general, said. “It’s been seven years since we’ve had a Catholic chaplain in the North Dakota Army National Guard.” .....

I suppose there aren't any other priests in Bismarck!

Why does the military have to pay for a religious person? What happened to separation of church and state? I can understand the Spanish conquest needing priests, after all the church got 1/5 of all spoils and someone had to make sure the Pope got his fair share. But in Bismarck in 2013 perhaps they have enough religious institutions to cover the "spiritual needs" of troops, you'd think.

[LiberalLoner]

1. The problem is, those religious institutions do not deploy when they do.

The Reserves and NG are deployed very frequently because they are not just backup troops, they are a vital part of our defense forces.

The troops are required to have chaplains to minister to them in war zones.

Perhaps as the number of atheists rise, chaplains will be phased out.

Doesn't surprise me it was a Catholic because Catholicism is the predominate denomination followed in the Dakotas.

[el_bryanto]

2. Well said

I also find the comment "What happened to the Separation of Church and State" a bit bizarre as I'm pretty sure we've had military Chaplains since we've had a military.

Bryant

[Coyotl]

3. Actually, let the darn churches pay for them.

Fine with me is people who believe that stuff want to have a person to minister to them, but the damn religions should pay for that, not the US taxpayers.

[el_bryanto]

7. Chintzy. I'm sure the cost of sending one extra guy (usually who has additional duties as well as

being a chaplain) with a unit is not all that much - they are sending the unit anyway.

Bryant

[Coyotl]

8. What a lame excuse for violating the US Constitution

Why not just flush it down the toilet (oh, wait, it's already down there).

[el_bryanto]

9. Obviously It doesn't violate the US Constitution

It's been practice for 200 years. I don't see the issue.

Bryant

[Coyotl]

11. Obviously you have not read the US Constitution

Separation of church and State!

[el_bryanto]

13. I have in fact read the Constitution - the bit you are talking about is the 1st amendment

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Allowing Chaplains neither establishes a religion (most denominations have had Chaplains), nor does it prohibit the exercise of religion.

Bryant

[Gman]

4. Perhaps the troops want them? Is that a problem?

I see none.

[Pelican]

5. In the end is about the ability to complete a mission...

Some people, not all, work and fight better if they feel that their spiritual needs are being met.

I might also add that Chaplains do much more than preach religion. They are counselors, morale boosters, confidantes and often a source for a steady supply of coffee and snacks.

IOW, the Army works better with them than without them.

[Coyotl]

12. What, people can't kill w/o spiritual advisors?

One of the problems is that having religious workers embedded in the military is that it absolves the consiences of the killers.

[Pelican]

14. That implies...

... that Soldiering is an immoral line of work.

In any case, yes, some people do fight better with a clear conscience and they gain that through spiritual conversation. I personally don't need it but I understand those who might.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. If it were left up to the troops they'd prefer more beer to more prayers.

At least that was the general consensus when I was in.

[Orrex]

10. Sprynczynatyk? I make it a point not to trust anyone with three Ys in their name

Probably from Kashyyyk.

[AnalystInParadise]

15. Retired veteran here

I don't see the problem, the chaplain fills many roles in garrison and "down range". I was in Iraq in 2011 when we were withdrawing from the country and our chaplain served the spiritual needs of the soldiers in our unit, but he also did several other things, he was a liaison to local Iraqi Catholic community and could speak to their priests and leaders in a way that our secular leadership could not. He also was the morale officer for the unit, he bought a popcorn maker and a sno-cone machine for the the troops and served popcorn and sno-cones 24/7 in his building which also had a large screen tv and DVD player. Soldiers that were back from a patrol could go there and unwind, if they wanted to talk about faith while eating popcorn, then fine, if they didn't the chaplain left them alone. Other soldiers could take a break from the long shifts both on and off the FOB and know that in the chaplains office, they could kick up their feet have a sno-cone and just relax and not think about the war for 30 minutes or an hour. Finally Chaplains are the go to people for life changing events, upcoming marriages, pregnancies back home, whatever. In the Army today the chaplains door is always open to talk, doesn't matter if you are Muslim, Christian Jew or Hindu. If you need someone to talk to then you can go there and most likely you won't hear a religious sermon, just someone to listen and not judge. It was especially a great place for people with security clearances to go and talk because the Chaplain, because he usually has one as well, unlike many Army Psychiatrists in theater. For me, I can't fathom why you wouldn't want a chaplain around. 20 years in the Army and I can only think of one negative incident from a chaplain....and that was more the man than the faith he represented.