Air Force Academy – Nearly two weeks after an Air Force task force found that the academy failed to facilitate worship for diverse religions, Muslim freshmen had to choose between worship and a required training activity.
The training schedule listed “optional chapel service” for Muslims from 7 to 8 p.m. Friday. However, that slot is also listed as “basic cadet time” to “prepare room for inspection, work on uniforms, boots, etc.”
There was no conflict for Sundays, the day the Christians, who are the vast majority of cadets, worship. And on coming Fridays, there also will be an hour set aside for personal time with no training conflicts.
A task force created after allegations mounted that the academy favored Christianity issued a report June 22 that blamed perceptions of bias, in part, on a lack of accommodation for diverse religions when scheduling events.
“This created the impression among some cadets that (the academy) was insensitive to their religious beliefs and needs,” the report said.
The report said scheduling flexibility for religious observances merits “special attention.”
Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff, who last week was appointed by acting Air Force Secretary Michael Dominguez to advise leaders on religious sensitivity, said the first step toward quelling perceptions of religious bias is to accommodate religious needs of all cadets “to the fullest extent possible.”
