CaptainDave

Copernic,

I am a former SSgt/E-5 (My nickname is in reference to my U.S Coast Guard fifty-ton Master licence, not military rank) in the Air Force from 85-95. I found the stats on the MAAF mindboggling. I notice however that the percentage of "no preference" decreases dramatically with rank. This suggests that non-religious enlisted personel are less likely to re-enlist while non-religious officers are less likely to get promoted. Even so, the numbers are impressive. BUT, we still tend to vote heavily republican.

I would say the time is right (the military is looked highly upon, atheists are starting to come out of the closet) for some type of publication of stories of the type Alonzo submitted. I wonder if this is the type of thing that "Time" or "Readers Digest" would be interested in.

recovering xtian

Alonzo, your post inspired me! I just sent an email to 60 Minutes, requesting that they do a story on this topic.

gilly54

Hi, Alonzo,

It would be a clever move on the AA's part the organizers ask your dad and others on this board who have posted similar stories, to speak at the March in November. Not only would everyone pay rapt attention, but it would go far to prevent the atmosphere from turning into a (hopefully not)loony circus with the media cameras focusing on idiots that would hurt the atheist cause,as some on this board fear might happen.

Gilly

Copernic

CaptainDave,
One of the reasons, among many, that I left was because religious infiltration into the daily lives of airmen at work was significant. It just didn't suit my picture of the type of culture I wanted to operate in for a 20 year career, although I dearly loved what I did for a living.

I don't know that my promotion opportunities would have been hampered because of the type of dogtag I wore. I seem to remember my peers and superiors not giving too much a flip about my faith or philosophy and were more tuned into the results of my work. So outward discrimination seems less likely to me.

However, it would not surprise me that the re-enlistment and retention rates for atheists/freethinkers would be less. If only because the military culture fits far more snugly into a Protestant's outlook on the world than that of an agnostic. This was more true 30 years ago than today, but still notable.

Just my observations
J

Copernic

CaptD,
Also your, and those of other posters, thoughts on getting this story into the mainstream media is right on. I forwarded the link to Kathleen over at MAAF.

Recovering Xtian's email to 60 Min is a great idea. Time, Newsweek, etc would be apt. This story would never get past the front drive at Reader's Digest.

A barrage of emails to various media outlets would be a start. I think we should ask Alonzo first to see how his dad would react to being in the spotlight for 14.5 minutes.

Regards
J