The Air Force has sent new guidance to its commanders, reminding them that using their power and position to promote their religious beliefs is “wholly inappropriate.”
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper sent a memo to commanders Tuesday, a day after the head of a task force investigating claims of religious bias at the Air Force Academy gave an oral briefing to Michael Dominguez, acting secretary of the Air Force.
Jennifer Stephens, an Air Force spokeswoman, could not say Thursday whether anything in Monday’s briefing prompted the memo from Jumper.
“It’s a good opportunity for Gen. Jumper to send out a message and guidance to his commanders in light of what’s going on at the Air Force Academy,” Stephens said.
A task force spent three days at the academy in mid-May looking into the religious climate at the academy and concerns that Christians, especially evangelicals, are favored over non-Christians. A report from the task force is expected in about two weeks. No date has been set for its release.
Jumper sent the memo, an update to a 1997 statement, to all major commands.
“Every airman needs to respect every other airman and be a good wingman,” the memo started out. “Air Force leaders and commanders have continued to emphasize the importance of mutual respect. This includes our respect for the beliefs of others.”
It continued: “Climate surveys at our Air Force Academy have pointed out instances where respect may be lacking or where declaring one’s own religious beliefs may be perceived as imposing on others. Commanders must be alert to the issue of religious respect throughout our Air Force.”
Capt. MeLinda Morton, an academy chaplain who says she was fired for her criticism of what she said was religious proselytizing at the academy, said it appears the Air Force “is beginning to recognize there’s an issue here.”
“My question is, ‘What are you going to do about it?’ I’m looking for directives and policies.”
The statement said that using e-mail to promote a specific belief or promote a religious event is inappropriate. Commanders should be involved in reviewing advertisements for religious events and should know what outside groups are invited to the base.
“Senior leaders, commanders and supervisors at every level must be particularly sensitive to the fact that subordinates can consider your public expressions of belief systems coercive. Using your place at the podium as a platform for your personal beliefs can be perceived as misuse of office. Where, when and how you espouse your beliefs is important. Use your best judgment, and show your airmen the respect you want to receive.”
Morton said she wondered if urging commanders to use their best judgment isn’t a step backward.
“We used to say commanders and people in authority are not to use their power and position to promulgate any personal ideology. … (That’s) wholly inappropriate. The Constitution doesn’t call on us to use our best judgment.”
Morton, a Lutheran chaplain who served as executive officer to the academy’s chief of chaplains, said she had not yet heard from Department of Defense officials investigating her claim that she was dismissed from her old job and ordered to transfer to a base in Japan in retaliation for being outspoken.
This spring, Americans United for Separation of Church and State issued a 14-page report that said the academy’s climate is hostile to non-Christians.
An “after action” report written by Morton said a team of Yale Divinity School students who observed chaplains last summer were concerned about an “overwhelming evangelical tone” in the 4,100-cadet service academy’s training environment.
Staff writer Erin Emery can be reached at 719-522-1360 or eemery@denverpost.com.
