Adventist Chaplaincy Ministries - National Service Organization

General Information About the Military

Before you join, read the U.S. Military pledge:

"I, (your name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the Untied States against enemies, foreign and domestic. That I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same. And that I will obey the orders of the President of the Untied States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."

When you join the military you pledge to carry out all military orders you are given.
Those orders could be to kill, or do something else you cannot in good conscience do.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church strongly counsels its members to consider the possible conflicts over Sabbath and other issues before they enter military service voluntarily. This especially is true if they have conscientious beliefs that they either cannot bear arms or be available for routine military training or duty during Sabbath hours. This is also the current counsel of military leaders in the United States.

Questions and Answers to Help You Get the Facts

If I join the military as a combat soldier, what will happen to me?

You will be trained with a weapon and probably assigned where you will be expected to use that weapon. If you enlist as a combatant, you no longer have a choice. If called upon to use a weapon, you will be expected to use it for the purpose of killing.

Can I observe the Sabbath in today's military force?

Maybe yes, and maybe no. In the United States right now, the observance of the Sabbath by being free of routine duty for the 24-hours period from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown is difficult to arrange any time. This is true in today's forces because there is a steady decrease in the personnel available for each job to be done. This combination makes it difficult for commanding officers to free someone for a 24-hour period as much as they might be in sympathy with sincere religious convictions. This is especially true when other personnel must be assigned to duty in the place of the Sabbath observer.

Don't I have a legal right to be allowed to worship on my Sabbath?

Current legal interpretation and military practice says "that the commander must show just cause as to why religious requirements and needs can not be accommodated/met. If, however, religious requirements cause major conflicts with military training, military mission requirements, unit cohesion and bonding, or are in conflict with safety or the greater good of the unit, the accommodation need not be made. The local commander is the one who makes the determination. While there are guidelines for accommodation in each of the branches of the military, there are no guarantees that religious needs will always be met. The concept of 'mission first' is universal in the military."

The Sabbath observance situation becomes particularly critical during periods of training, which normally run five and one-half days a week, including Friday night and Sabbath morning. You will be faced with Sabbath training during basics in all branches of active duty. You will have Sabbath challenges in nearly every assignment because the military is a 24/7 (24 hours per day, 7 days per week) operation.

Upon completion of basic and advanced training (four months to a year) personnel are given a permanent assignment with a unit. Many units have duty hours five days a week, though they may run into emergency situation when their duty is extended. Many units are active 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

So, you may be able to keep the Sabbath if your duties are compatible with your convictions of what you can do on Sabbath, or if the commanding officer feels s/he can release a Sabbath observer from routine duty during the Sabbath and still accomplish the mission of the unit. Of course, the commander can change. There are never guarantees.

Can a Sabbath observer be ordered to do tasks which they cannot conscientiously do on Sabbath? If they don't obey the order, are they in trouble? Will the church help them in such a situation?

A military member can be ordered to do any lawful task at any time while in military service. To refuse to obey a lawful order of a superior officer or supervisor is an offense punishable under military law.

The first thing to realize is that it will be the military, not you, who will decide what is a lawful order. Second, while the Adventist Church can in no way tell the military what it can do in a situation involving a controversy over Sabbath observance, it can and does seek to be of help in resolving the situation. Although it is perfectly legal to punish for disobedience of military orders or regulations, it is looked upon by highest military authorities in the Untied States as inappropriate to use punitive measures in military law against someone who has acted under sincere religious convictions. This does not, however, open the door to refuse to do assigned duty on Sabbath.

Decisions regarding religious accommodation take into account the total situation, including the work habits and general attitude of the person involved and the manner in which they sought to solve the problem involving Sabbath observance, as well as military necessity for the Sabbath activity/training/duty.

Can I remain a church member if I join the military?

Yes. We have a number of persons who as good Seventh-day Adventist Christians have successfully made the military a career. They are deeply spiritual and active in local congregations where they are stationed. They are highly respected by their military associates for their military bearing and performance as well as for their religious beliefs. Enlisting and bearing a weapon is a matter of conscience between you and God. But be assured that if you do enter the military you will be tested, perhaps severely. Some must request or accept a discharge when there are conflicts between military mission requirements and conscientiously held religious convictions. But above all, remember that God loves you, and so does your church.

What can I expect if I join the military?

This information was written from the perspective of dealing with the United States military. Church members in other countries should consult with their church leadership or ACM department director for further guidance in this area. Relevant information should be sent to the General Conference ACM department for possible inclusion here.

Does a job in the U.S. military sound good? The excitement and travel have appeal to you?

You are not alone. Military service is becoming more and more attractive to American youth. Job security, regular pay, chances for education and vocational training look good. The recruiter's job is to make his branch of service look great, so he paints a beautifully attractive picture

But you who care about your religious beliefs need to ask these questions: Can I be true to both God and the military? Will my duties and my religious practices ever conflict? Will the military let me worship as I believe I should?

If you are thinking of joining the military and are asking some of these questions, please read on.

Regulations Concerning Worship

All branches of the military have similar regulations concerning worship. The Department of Defense (DoD) prescribes policy, procedures, and responsibilities for the accommodation of religious practices in the military services. Therefore, DoD Directive 1300-17, Accommodation of Religious Practices Within the Military, states that "A basic principle of our nation is free exercise of religion. The Department of Defense places a high value on the rights of service members of the Armed Forces to observe the tenets of their respective religions. It is DoD policy that requests for accommodation of religious practices should be approved by commanders when accommodation will not have an adverse impact on military readiness, unit cohesion, standards, or discipline."

However, accommodation of religious practices must depend on military necessity. As such, accommodation of religious practices cannot be guaranteed, and is subject to change if circumstances warrant. This means, as the military sees it, that religious practices are provided at the exercise of command discretion concerning accommodation. Worship services, holy days, and sabbath observances should be accommodated, except when reasonably believed by the commander to be precluded by military readiness, unit cohesion, standards, or discipline. If the time required for religious worship is consistently during normal duty hours, work shifts may be adjusted, if feasible, to permit accommodation."

Summary

1. Military personnel may attend religious services of their choice except as limited by the military situation.
2. Military personnel are available for duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Military missions take precedence over religious services.
3. The military makes no guarantees regarding special consideration because of personal, religious, moral or ethical beliefs.

How does the military interpret these regulations?

To Adventists the "day of worship" is a beautiful experience to look forward to each week. It is a day hallowed and sanctified for the purpose of God's creation to remember Him as God and Creator, a day set aside to forget the pleasures, work, and anxieties of man.

Few other Christian religions recognize a total day devoted to the worship of God, either on Saturday or Sunday. The worship experience is limited to the church service activities. This attitude prevails in the military as well.

Freedom of Worship is defined by the military as giving the service person the ability to attend scheduled religious services, liturgies, rates and ceremonies on the Sunday or Sabbath of each week. Service is interpreted to mean the hour for which his particular worship service is scheduled.

Observing Sabbath during training

In the initial phases of basic training no one is allowed to leave the area for any reason. While you may be able to attend an on base Adventist service, you will not be allowed to leave for a civilian service in the community.

In all of the services there will be training or other activities on Sabbath. This is especially true in the first month of training when everything is very controlled. You may be given an hour off, no more, to attend a service (often on a Friday evening). There is virtually no way to avoid some training or make-up training on Sabbath in the initial phases of basic. Many classes are taught by staff outside the unit. As such the training events are scheduled and offered only at that time. If the training falls on Sabbath there is a problem. The commander can not verify that you have had training if you have not, and since the instructors are not in your unit, make-up is much more difficult. Later on into basic the pace may ease up. Initially it will not.

When it comes time to do your advanced training, the schedules are more flexible and most often from Monday through Friday. Of course, if you miss training or need extra time for coaching or learning the make-up times are Sabbath. There may be special event training issues like field problems which may extend for 10 mor more days. Obviously that will present a problem for a Sabbath keeper.

After you are assigned to your unit/wing/ship, there will be periods where the whole team will be called out for unit training. This is usually some exercise to simulate wartime conditions. The operations will be around the clock for anywhere from three to 30 days. The unit will not re-schedule the whole training event to allow you free Sabbaths. You should ask for, and may (or may not) get command to grant a religious accommodation for some personal time on Sabbath to pray and worship in the field, but you will not be able to get back home for the period of time covered by the training event.

When you join the military you are required to sign papers saying you realize that not all of your religious needs may be met. The command should, and in most cases will, try to work out an accommodation for religious needs, but the situations vary, the commanders vary and there is no way to guarantee that you will not be doing duty or training on Sabbath. It all depends on the training schedule, how well you are personally doing in the unit, and the attitudes of both you and your commander.

The bottom line is that Sabbath training is more the rule than the exception. This is especially true in the initial phases of basic training.

Facts:

Saturday's schedule is for work details, make-up or other training, and other non-religious concerns.

You must decide what you can in good conscience do regarding keeping God's Sabbath.

Army basic training is somewhat similar and the philosophies the same. The Navy and the Marines are much stronger in their attitudes. Check before jumping into something that you cannot control. Keep in mind the fact that no one can guarantee you Sabbaths off. You will have some training on the first few Sabbath of basic __ in all of the branches. While things may ease up later, they may also become more difficult. Much will depend on what you do and the unit to which you are assigned. In short, it depends on many variables over which you will have little or no control.

Finding a secure, well-paying job is not easy. The cost of education appears high as well. Planning for the future is not easy, but consider the cost concerning your religious convictions as you make your decision.

What if Uncle Sam orders me to work on Sabbath?

There are several things every Seventh-day Adventist who is in, or who is going into the service, needs to know about keeping the Sabbath in a military setting.

Facts:

A Sabbath keeper in the military should:

Be consistent...be a totally honest believer all the time (not just when you think it's in your best interest, or when it's convenient).
Resolve problems before they get larger.
Grow spiritually and strengthen your basic values.
Know the practical do's and don'ts of Sabbath-keeping in the military.

It's like executing a drill movement - there are right ways to do them and other ways that are less acceptable to the military.

Here's a Situation...

You have just come into the military or have been transferred to a new unit. This is your first week, your first Sabbath. You are wondering how it will go. It's Thursday noon, and word comes out that the "roster" is up. It's a work-detail roster for jobs to be done over the weekend...and the notice says... "Everyone will report for duty. No exceptions..." You notice that you are listed to rake leaves and pick up trash on Saturday from 0800 to 1600 hours (8 till 4).

First of all, there are some basic things you need to understand. In the situation above, you would need to know the basic principles of Sabbath-keeping such as the following:

Basics of Keeping the Sabbath

1. The seventh-day Sabbath, Saturday, was instituted by God. Exodus 20:10; Isaiah 58:13; Mark 2:28; Acts 13:27.

2. Each person must individually respond to God by following His commands from a love relationship. "If ye love Me, keep my commandments." John 14:15.

3. The keeping of the Sabbath is up to each person, so the church cannot in any way release a member from his divine obligation.
4. The Sabbath is from sunset Friday until sunset Saturday. Leviticus 23:32; Mark 1:32; Genesis 1:5.

5. Each person must ask her/himself what s/he can or cannot do during these holy hours to best maintain his love relationship with God. Joshua 24:14; Isaiah 58:13; Exodus 20:8-11; John 14:15.

Ask yourself, "Do I have to be in church to worship God?' No, but it's the best place to be and He wants my best, so I should get there if I can. "Will I be dropped from church membership if I don't keep the Sabbath while in the military?" Possibly. Sabbath-keeping is a test of fellowship anywhere, and any member who fails in this belief and practice may be dropped from church membership. Remember, you keep the Sabbath because it is part of having salvation in Jesus Christ. Sabbath-keeping does not bring salvation, but having salvation results in your keeping the Sabbath as your Savior asks.

Another thing that should be clear is that the practice of Sabbath-keeping must be based on YOUR belief and understanding. It isn't enough to say that what church teaches it, or that it's in the Bible. While both are true, it has to be a matter of your own acceptance and practice based on church teachings and Bible study. That military wants to know what YOUR stand is on Sabbath-keeping.

This brings us to another important point. BE CONSISTENT in all your practices. You will find it hard to convenience anyone that you are a sincerely religious person who is seeking to follow God's will about Sabbath-keeping if the rest of your life looks shady. It's like trying to tell the highway patrolman that the reason you were doing 94 in a 45-mph zone was so that you wouldn't be late to give a prayer meeting talk on the importance of keeping the law.

Be sure you live up to the other standards and teachings of the Adventist Church if you are going to stake your claim of observing the Sabbath.

You need to understand what your choices are when you come up for duty on Sabbath. These choices will be explained in detail further on, so keep reading!

You are also going to need to know about the chain of command and how to use it properly if you intend to keep the Sabbath in the military. The chain of command is the way the military works most of its problem solving and tasks.

Using the military chain of command means that you always try to solve any problem at the lowest level possible. So, start with your immediate supervisor and work up the chain if you need to do so. It's always a good idea to involve your chaplain in any religious accommodation issue, that's why s/he is there.

Likewise, you can use the church chain of command:

Local Pastor
Local Conference NSO Representative (or Youth Director)
Union NSO Representative (or Youth Director)
North American Division/General Conference NSO Director

Start at the lowest level, then move on to the next higher level if need be, and on up, to find a solution or make a decision.

You can contact your unit chaplain at any time, either for counsel and advice about what course to take or for assistance with the solution of the problem itself.

An Adventist civilian or military chaplain can assist you at any level or at any time.

A key to remember: Start at the lowest level first, then move up to the next level if you need to in order to solve the problem. NOTE! Use the military chain first, then, if you need support, start on the church chain of command. The church will not make special request for you, but it's there to help you support your decisions and beliefs. (Remember, the beliefs and practices must be based on your personal convictions.) The church will act as an advisor to you and to your military chaplain and chain of command.

Remember the work roster that has you assigned to rake leaves and pick up trash on Sabbath? What are your options?

You could work. (Only your conscience and God will know)

You could announce, "No, I'm not going to work and no one can make me work." (That could lead to TROUBLE. The military doesn't like to be told someone will not obey an order.)

You would try to work out an understanding with the military people that would allow you to keep Sabbath and still do your fair share of the work in the unit.

So, you have decided to try and work out the understanding with the unit that will allow you to keep Sabbath and do your share of the work, too. What steps do you take?

1. Start asking the person who is at the beginning of the chain of command in your unit to help you with the issue. Come with several suggested solutions. That will help you and will help your supervisors.

2. Explain to that person that nature of your beliefs. It might go like this: "I see that I am on the detail for Saturday. That causes me a difficulty because my religious beliefs require me to observe Saturday as the Sabbath. I want to be able to do my share of the work at a time when I will not have to violate my beliefs. Here are some ideas I have... Will you help me work things out?"

3. Move up the chain of command as far as you need to in order to find a solution.
4. If you are unsuccessful within the unit, THEN begin to use the other options (chains of command) available to you.

First...ask to see your unit chaplain and seek his/her aid. While your unit chaplain will probably not be an Adventist, you will find that one of the duties of all chaplains is to work with people of different religious faiths and to aid them in their religious life. The chaplain has a chain of command, too, similar to the pastor. The chaplain's job is to verify that your claim to Sabbath observance is consistent with the teachings of the church. He/she should also assist you in working out a solution that both meets your need to worship and meets the military duty or training requirements. The chaplain is not there to pass judgement on your stand. That is, the chaplain is not there to tell you that you should work because "this is the military." The chaplain can also assist you in contacting an Seventh-day Adventist military or civilian chaplain or denominational official.

Second...call your local Adventist pastor or nearest NSO civilian or military chaplain and explain your problem. If necessary, he can move up to the chain in the church and help you.

5. The chaplain can guide you in requesting an "Accommodation for Religious Practices." If your unit commander determines that the religious practice you requested cannot be accommodated, you may request reassignment, reclassification, or separation if a religious conflict still exists. The chaplain will assist you in this. Such a request should follow regular military channels.

Just a final note...
If you are in a situation where you run into a threatened Article 15, Captain's Mast, or Court Martial over a Sabbath Problem, begin to use the chaplain chain of command immediately. At the same time, get in touch with the local church pastor, conference representative, or nearest Adventist chaplain. Call the General Conference only if you have not been able to make contact with these other people.

God's blessing to you as you seek to serve both God and Country.