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The Voice for Chaplaincy - Chartered by Congress - Serving Since 1925
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Weekly Newsgram - February 15th
, 2017
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Accommodation:
The providing of what is needed
Army Directive 2016-34 was issued on October 6th, 2016. In many ways, it was a sea change for religious accommodation in our modern armed forces. The directive permits individuals seeking to serve in any Army unit to apply for a religious accommodation which applies to uniform or grooming policies prior to entering the service. This in itself was a major step, but the new directive also assures these individuals, that if a waiver is granted, it will be enduring. Specifically, "all approved religious accommodation waivers will continue throughout the individual's career" (p 4).
Now if a Sikh enlists and receives an accommodation regarding his hair length, that accommodation will endure from one command to another versus the soldier needing to apply anew each time he receives orders. Similarly, a rabbi receiving an accommodation to keep a beard will be able to do the same. This accommodation process provides what is needed to permit these and other citizens to serve without undue burden on their religious convictions.
The U.S. is not the only nation making advances in religious accommodation for military personnel. Our neighbor to the north, Canada, has recently taken the step of appointing the first indigenous adviser to their Chaplain General. Sgt. Moogly Tetrault-Hamel is a fifteen-year career soldier who comes from the Abenaki First Nation. In his new role, he will develop and offer training to chaplains on spiritual accommodations which are needed by indigenous soldiers. He will also be involved in writing policy to help better support all those who serve.
Tetrault-Hamel wants to go beyond simply permitting accommodations to be put in place. His goal is also to help leaders understand why the individuals are requesting the accommodation. "I'm able to create the awareness piece so that it's not just; Yes, he's allowed to do it, but why he's allowed to do it." Such understanding will take away a tendency to make those who receive accommodations a separate class. Instead, they will be understood to have differences which are as natural as variations in hair and eye color.
Accommodation - providing what is needed
Figures show in 2015 the Canadian National Defence Force included nearly 2,300 indigenous members - this constitutes more than 3% of the total force.
In both these developments in accommodation practice, chaplains are at the center. We advocate on behalf of those with legitimate need and advise command on how best to make adjustments to tradition for the good of all. We look forward to further advances in accommodation. Our military is to reflect our nation's values.
Lyman Smith
Executive Director
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Annual Member
Chaplain Evan Spencer
Lt Col, USAFR, Retired/VA
Conservative Baptist Association of America
Hampton, VA
Associate Member
Chaplain Sam Keddy Balogun
Macedonia Ambassadors Chaplain Corps
Chaplain General, Nigerian Army
Gospel Ministries International (Grace Chapel)
Lokoja, Nigeria
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Dr. David Shulkin Confirmed
New Secretary Department of Veterans Affairs
Statement from Phil Roe, M.D. (R-Tenn), Chair, House Committee on Veterans, Affairs
"I congratulate incoming Secretary Shulkin on his confirmation, and I look forward to meeting with him later this week to discuss VA reform. President Trump has made it clear that wholesale reform of VA is a top priority for his administration, and I'm confident we can work together to ensure our heroes have timely access to the services and benefits they've earned. There is much work ahead, but the men and women who have served our country deserve better than the status quo. As chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I am committed to bringing accountability and reform to the department, and I know incoming Secretary Shulkin is as well."
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Calling all artists: The National Veterans Day poster contest now under way
Each year the VA's National Veterans Outreach Office, in conjunction with the Veterans Day National Committee, publishes a commemorative Veterans Day poster. The poster is selected from artwork submitted by artists nationwide and is distributed to VA facilities, military installations around the world across cities and town in our nation. It also serves as the cover of the official program for the Veterans Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery.
Over the years these posters have illustrated the rich history of our country's service men and women. The poster clearly reflects our pride and pa
triotism in saluting Veterans while providing the the
matic artistry for the year.
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Dates for Your Calendar
April 28th -
Chaplain Gaylord T. Gunhus will be laid to rest at a graveside (only) ceremony. An informal reception will be held following the service at the Memorial (Main Post) Chapel.
May 29th - Memorial Day
Service at Arlington National Cemetery. Plan to attend and carry the MCA flag or National Ensign as part of the parade of colors we remember and honor those who have given their lives in service to our nation. Please indicate your intention to attend by sending a note to [email protected]
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MCA National Institute 2017
October 23 - 26, 2017
Newport News, Virginia
Please plan to join us!
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If you missed the February 8th
edition of the Newsgram
click here
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SUPPORTING CHAPLAINCY IN AND OUT OF UNIFORM: Active, Retired and Former Chaplains of the
United States Army,
United States Navy,
United States Air Force, Department of
Veterans Affairs, and
Civil Air Patrol
AND THOSE THEY SERVE: military members, veterans, and their families
at home and around the world
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The Military Chaplains Association of the USA
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