A policy letter was sent out last week outlining that the non-inclusion of Chaplain AFSC badges on ABU hats was an oversight and thus never truly went into effect. Thus, Chaplain AFSC badges are able to be worn by USAF chaplains.
We got word this week that the new AFI that covers wear of our uniforms (AFI 36-2903) no longer allows chaplains to wear our AFSC badge on our patrol caps. Christian chaplains wore the cross, Jewish chaplains wore the ten commandments and Islamic chaplains wore the crescent. Now, these symbols of faith must be replace with our rank instead. This changes over 60 years of tradition in the USAF Chaplain Corps. We will salute sharply and comply, but this chaplain does not like it. We are to be visible reminders of the Holy. We are to be Chaplains first. Each of these values were taught to us in the Basic Chaplain Course. Now it's more difficult to be distinguished from a regular officer. How often I would come up on an Airman and they see the cross and they smile and say, "Hello, Chaplain." Now they don't smile, they just call me Captain... I'm just another boss to them rather than a trusted spiritual guide. I pray that this change in the AFI is reversed very soon.
2 comments:
I've a loved one serving as an AF Chaplain. He was sharing with me tonight how distressed he was to hear of this new regulation. He'd heard by word of mouth, but not yet officially. I found your blog in searching for info. We are saddened to hear this. Thank you for posting this for the civilian world to hear.
Thanks J.A.
Glad we can get some word out. For now we will press on.
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