It used to be that if a soldier had a calling to be a chaplain he had to get out of the service, go to the proper divinity school and fight like a tomcat to get back in the service again.
Pete just made it so if someone had a calling they could go through divinity school while in uniform. This is nothing new in one respect. it's similar to the green/blue to gold programs where an enlisted man can get a degree and be commissioned on the service's nickel.
The left is screeching about it like chaplains are something new that Pete's trying to introduce and some try and scream that it is unconstitional.
Surprise, surprise, surprise. The army has had chaplains since we even became a country. At Valley Forge there were at least 8 chaplains ministering to the troops.
Although the Colonies (later the states) were predominately Christian, in 1862 Rabbi Jacob Frankel became the first Jewish chaplain. Other religions over the years have supplied the services with chaplains.
While we're at it, nine chaplains have been awarded the Medal of Honor.
Another thing about chaplains. Back in the day I was a smart ass and told a chaplain's assistant that he was supposed to use holy water in the chaplain's jeep battery. He quietly left.
Five minutes later I found myself pinned to the wall and receiving a lecture from an angry officer that had a cross on his collar. None of the onlookers looked too impressed until someone noticed my feet were about a foot or so off the ground. Later the chaplain and I became friends. He was a damned good rifle shot, too!
None of this is really new.
The usual deadbeat atheists chimed in condemning religion and stating the usual that the Constitution prohibits it. It doesn't. The Constitution grants people freedom OF religion and not freedom FROM religion.
Army MOS 56M is religious Affairs Specialist, an enlisted MOS. For this in that MOS that are so inclined some of these people could put in for the program and become commissioned chaplains. Not a bad deal for someone inclined to go that route. Pete just made it easier.
I suppose that sometime sooner or later Pete is going to be accused of giving young people guns and endangering them. Stay tuned for that one.
