The Army/Navy tells me I have to deal with it...

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
S

stevenwyatt

Guest
#1
Upon realizing that a service is regularly conducted for my particular denominational faith somewhere on the Army base at which i'm stationed, I became rather excited. I am often discouraged when told that only protestant and catholic faiths are offered wherever I happen to be stationed. However, after further research originally intended to gather information on time and location, I discovered that the service I'm planning to attend is only offered to Army bootcamp recruits. Bringing the situation to my superior, in hopes of finding a solution, I am told that if I can't find a service for my particular faith then I will just have to miss out on church.

Now, if I remember correctly, it is my right to be allowed the opportunity to attend services for any recognized faith. Why, when after months of not attending a church service, am I told I have to suck it up if they don't offer services that I am comfortable attending?
 

grace

Senior Member
Sep 8, 2006
1,064
11
0
51
#2
Do they not have a chaplain to speak to about this. (I know that seems like stating the obvious)....but are they not the ones who should be helpful in referring you to such things..?
 
S

stevenwyatt

Guest
#3
At the moment I am under orders as an "IA" or Individual Augmentee". This means that I have left my Navy command to go work with (more like for) the Army. With this, all services provided to me are then provided through the Army. Within the Army battery that I am attached to, we have one chaplain. He doesn't not include himself in our daily events, and is often off post and away from the entire battery. I did all I could to contact him, but with no luck did I reach him. The majority pop. within the battery that attends any religious service is Catholic, which is assuredly provided for since it is a predominant denomination. My problem is with not being assisted in finding a service for myself to attend in what I feel like is a situation where it's not their problem so they don't care. Maybe that's just me though. I didn't attend any services today as a result.
 
C

ChristopherMichael

Guest
#4
My problem is with not being assisted in finding a service for myself to attend in what I feel like is a situation where it's not their problem so they don't care. Maybe that's just me though. I didn't attend any services today as a result.
Army soldier here. I think you have an unrealistic expectation (albeit common) of the Army if you expect the organization as a whole to care for you. To the Army, and I'm sure the other services apply as well, you're just a number, an MOS, and a rank. The organization cares about you in so much as you show up to your job, don't draw negative attention, and don't do anything overtly criminal. Anything else is just an individual in your chain of command showing concern, which is a rare thing.

I've heard it said by another Christian that maybe 1 out of 4 chaplains are legit, which is rough, but I think it's not unreasonable. If you're looking for a service to attend, I'd suggest attending off-base, if it's possible. You're going to have to find it yourself, and arrange transportation yourself. Some soldiers have luck finding another Christian in their unit to take them to a church, but I think that's rare too. Pick a church that's far from walking distance of the front gate, and doesn't have a lot of soldiers (at least of a rank higher than you) there. That's probably where you'll have your best luck.

It sucks a lot, but I think the Army (from what I've seen of it at least) is terrible when it comes to providing for Christians. It does a very good job of meeting the rote needs of secular Christians, but I think you'll find that on the whole it's a spiritual desert, if you will. That's what I've seen so far, at least. It sounds bad, but God works through things like this to bring you closer to him and strengthen your faith.

God be with you Brother, and don't lose hope!
Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.!

- Topher