Chaplain, commander discuss DOD's new religious accommodations policy

Published Jan. 31, 2014
By Kimberly Woodruff
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Department of Defense recently updated an instruction on Jan. 22 outlining a new policy on making religious accommodations requested by service members.

The policy update states, "Military departments will accommodate religious requests of service members, unless a request would have an adverse effect on military readiness, mission accomplishment, unit cohesion, and good order and discipline."

Col. Christopher Azzano, 72nd Air Base Wing and Tinker installation commander, said the intent of the new directive is to expand content, encourage and develop an environment of mutual respect.

"Mutual respect is the foundation for Air Force culture and an important element of that is religious accommodation," he said. "This allows people to realize their potential regardless of religious affiliation."

Service members may request such things as articles of clothing worn as part of a doctrinal or traditional observance of the member's faith. Grooming and appearance practices observed by some religious groups, such as facial hair, are included.

Religious body art -- tattoos, piercings or other modifications to the body -- are also addressed in the new policy.

"This is not an 'anything goes' situation," Colonel Azzano said.

Air Force waivers to existing policy based on religious accommodation must go to the Air Force deputy chief of staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services for approval. Navy requests will go to the chief of Naval Personnel and deputy commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs and Army requests will go through the deputy chief of Staff.

"Religious based requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis, and the mission comes first," the colonel said. "Nothing has changed within the Air Force Instruction for dress and appearance. If anything, this opens it up and provides some clarity."

An excerpt from the new policy states, "The DOD places a high value on the rights of members of the Military Services to observe the tenets of their respective religions or to observe no religion at all. It protects the civil liberties of its personnel and the public to the greatest extent possible, consistent with its military requirements, in accordance with DOD Instruction (DoDI) 1000.29 (Reference (c))."

Some may be uncomfortable with all the possibilities opened by the policy.

"There have been a number of policies over the last several decades that have been controversial," the colonel said, "but as Airmen we are professionals first. We will comply with policy changes to the best of our ability, reflecting the highest credit on our service."

Service members considering a religious accommodation request should first look up the AFI for dress and appearance.

"Waiver requests must be tied to a required, observed, religious need," said 72nd ABW Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Paul Sutter.

Only religious-based requests will be considered, and though every opportunity will be made to accommodate the request, it still could be denied if it impacts the accomplishment of the mission, unit cohesion, good order, discipline or health and safety. Any service member should feel comfortable and have no fear of reprisal when going to their chaplain or chain of command with their request for religious accommodation.

In accordance with the updated instruction, "A service member's religious beliefs may not be used as the basis of any adverse personnel action, discrimination, or denial of promotion, schooling, training or assignment" DODI 1300.17 (Reference (d))."

Speaking with a chaplain is confidential, and is a good place to start when considering a waiver request. It is important to note that the service member comply with the policy for dress and appearance unless and until the request for a waiver is approved. Simply making the request does not allow for straying from policy.

In addition to dress and appearance requests, it should be noted that worship practices or religious observance requests will be accommodated to the extent possible consistent with mission accomplishment.

"This issue really is a double-edged sword. Congress can neither establish nor prohibit religious practices," Chaplain Sutter said. "Serving in the military means we fight for the rights and freedoms of others while maintaining tolerance and protecting religious practices as per the Constitution. People can serve in the military, but also keep with their religion."

The chaplain said the most important thing to remember is there is nothing to fear.
"Keep an open mind, especially when encountering things that are new in the face of religion," he said. "Often we are afraid of the things that are unknown to us. We can't advocate against any one religion, so we must be tolerant and protect religious freedoms."