Why I Don't Want to Be a West Point Graduate

[Richard]

West Point senior says the prosletyzing favortism at USMA has finally gotten to him and he's resigning.

Richard

Why I Don't Want to Be a West Point Graduate
Cadet Blake Page, 3 Dec 2012

The title West Point Graduate carries a great deal of weight in this world. Those who earn it are given a "golden ticket" and wear a "ring of power" which will certainly carry them to successful careers with doors flung open in the military, in business, even in personal relationships; as so many are seduced by the historic prestige of the United States Military Academy. All of these things seem enticing, but for me personally they are not worth it. As I write this, I am five months from graduation. After nearly three and a half years here, there is no reason to suspect that I would be in any way incapable of completing the final requirements and walking across the stage in Michie Stadium with diploma in hand in another 174 days. Choosing to resign at this point also carries significant risk. The Army may seek recoupment in the form of about $200-300k which I will personally owe, or an additional term of up to 5 years of enlisted service. What could possibly compel me to pass over this incredible opportunity in exchange for such harsh penalties?

While there are certainly numerous problems with the developmental program at West Point and all service academies, the tipping point of my decision to resign was the realization that countless officers here and throughout the military are guilty of blatantly violating the oaths they swore to defend the Constitution. These men and women are criminals, complicit in light of day defiance of the Uniform Code of Military Justice through unconstitutional proselytism, discrimination against the non-religious and establishing formal policies to reward, encourage and even at times require sectarian religious participation. These transgressions are nearly always committed in the name of fundamentalist evangelical Christianity. The sparse leaders who object to these egregious violations are relegated to the position of silent bystanders, because they understand all too well the potential ramifications of publically expressing their loyalty to the laws of our country. These are strong words that I do not use lightly, but after years of clear personal observation I am certain that they are true. The following excerpt is from my official letter of resignation from West Point:

I do not wish to be in any way associated with an institution which willfully disregards the Constitution of the United States of America by enforcing policies which run counter to the same. Examples of these policies include mandatory prayer, the maintenance of the 3rd Regiment Shield, awarding extra passes to Plebes who take part in religious retreats and chapel choirs, as well as informal policies such as the open disrespect of non-religious new cadets and incentivizing participation in religious activities through the chain of command.

As the President of the West Point Secular Student Alliance (SSA), a Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers (MAAF) affiliate, and first Director of Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) Affairs at West Point, I have been in a position to hear countless cadets recount their personal stories of frustration in dealing with the ongoing oppressive and unconstitutional bigotry they face for being non-religious. Cadets often come to me to seek assistance, guidance and reassurance in response to instances of debasing harassment. Many here are regularly told they do not deserve a place in the military. They are shown through policy that the Constitution guarantees their freedom of, but not from religion. Many are publically chastised for seeking out a community of likeminded people because it is such a common belief that Humanism and other non-religious philosophies are inherently immoral and worse.

While dealing with the bureaucracy of the academy I have had my complaints ignored by several members of my direct military chain of command. The ranking chaplain here responded to some of these instances of clear prejudice with the useless statement that he will "do what [he] can in good conscience" (which was nothing) instead of fulfilling his legal obligations. In dealing with the Directorate of Cadet Activities I have seen the Secular Student Alliance denied recognition for two years because the former director of the organization did not see a reason to recognize an organization for support of nonreligious West Point cadets. Even after finally receiving hard-fought recognition this year, that same organization continues to work with us only half-heartedly. They have only begrudgingly given us a pitifully inadequate budget, continue to refuse to list us on their website, and one of their staff has openly laughed at the idea that we could organize a conference or even produce club t-shirts for our members.

In response to this utter nonsense, and much more, I initiated an Equal Opportunity investigation earlier this semester. I have received nothing but positive responses from the chain of command since then. The Commandant of Cadets himself, Brigadier General Theodore Martin, expressed what I perceived to be a sincere desire to see to it that these issues are dealt with quickly and severely. As happy as I was to hear his words and see his genuine concern expressed, his influence alone will not be enough to change the confidently bigoted culture of this sad place. The gulf between the intent of a General Officer and the execution of that intent by those in positions of immediate authority is massive in a complex bureaucracy entrenched in over 200 years of tradition. This chasm is widened by the rarity of people like General Martin who are willing to take on a proactive role in attempting to ensure that equality is established. The existence of decades of legal precedent and policies prohibiting this pervasive religious bigotry has not stopped it from happening in the past, and will most certainly not stop it from happening in the future so long as the many who oppose it remain too timid to stand up and be counted. I am making this stand in the hope that others will follow by whatever means they must. Perhaps now some of the 136 cadets, faculty and staff at West Point that are represented by the MRFF may find the courage to make themselves heard.

Although I have decided that I do not wish to be a part of the Long Gray Line, there are many other bright young men and women who will remain here and continue the work I started. Their efforts, combined with support from Jason Torpy and MAAF, Mikey Weinstein and the MRFF, Lyz Liddell and the rest of the wonderful staff of SSA national, and many other organizations will ultimately lead to the development of a flourishing community of support for non-religious cadets at West Point. It is pathetic that so many leaders in the military are comfortable with both subtly and brutally discriminating against non-religious members. Perhaps with enough external pressure brought to bear by continued civil rights activism, America's military leadership will one day soon be forced to realize that non-religious soldiers are not enemies of the state to be shunned, ridiculed and marginalized, but rather patriotic, honorable Americans to be respected as equals.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/blake-...b_2232279.html

[Old Dog New Trick]

Via Con Dios, or Vaya Con Dios.

Anyone who can't stand up to their own convictions shouldn't be in charge of other people. Maybe when he grows up he will be able look back and say, damn, I allowed those people to win.

[afchic]

I would really like to know where all these crazy Christians in the military are. I have lived my entire life in the military, and not once have I ever seen, heard, anything like this taking place. I have never had any soldier, marine or airmen come to me and say they feel persecuted for not being religious. I have never had a superior attempt to make me take part in any religious services, prayers etc. On the other hand, I did have to go through an entire day of Christian bashing, characterized as sensitivity training.

To me, the exact opposite of this young man's story is true. It is alright to be anything BUT a Christian lately.

[Sigaba]

Originally Posted by Richard

As the President of the West Point Secular Student Alliance (SSA), a Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers (MAAF) affiliate, and first Director of Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) Affairs at West Point, I have been in a position to hear countless cadets recount their personal stories of frustration in dealing with the ongoing oppressive and unconstitutional bigotry they face for being non-religious.

I wonder about those who say that a number is "countless" or "too many to list" when they're trying to enhance the credibility of their POV. If the number is "countless," then so is the number of cadets at West Point. But since that number is knowable, then so is the number of cadets who've experienced the frustration Page describes.

[Snaquebite]

Transcript Transfer Request - DENIED

[SF18C]

As the old saying goes...Don't the let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya!



I will state up front I am not an overly religious person but I always wonder why these atheists never find any other groups besides Christians to go after? I mean, why don’t they throw up their protests as a Mosque or Synagogue?

[Jersey Dirtbag]

Originally Posted by SF18C

I will state up front I am not an overly religious person but I always wonder why these atheists never find any other groups besides Christians to go after? I mean, why don’t they throw up their protests as a Mosque or Synagogue?

I'm an atheist and it has been my experience that many of those who are outspoken about their atheism are less interested in the pursuit of truth and intellectual/scientific honesty than they are in the unmaking or transformation of any and all institutions founded on Judeo-Christian principles. Political atheism, in a sense, is really a disingenuous mask for various anti-Western agendas masquerading as a politically neutral search for truth. Being that Christianity underlies the majority of Western institutions, it is a natural target for these folks.

That said, I definitely felt uncomfortable in OCS at the Alabama Military Academy when the entire class was marched into the chapel, seated, and asked by cadre, "who would NOT like to attend church services?" I was the first to raise my hand, at which point several others raised theirs. We were informed that we were "not on free time" and placed on a work detail. This was obviously ridiculous, because no Jew or Buddhist is going to be happy to sit through Christian services either.

But rather than quit the whole game I just attributed it to some douchebag cadre members and moved on.

[ZonieDiver]

I somehow think that this young 'Kay-dette' has been waiting for this moment since the day he signed in up there on the Hudson.

[Eagle5US]

Originally Posted by Jersey Dirtbag

I'm an atheist and it has been my experience that many of those who are outspoken about their atheism are less interested in the pursuit of truth and intellectual/scientific honesty than they are in the unmaking or transformation of any and all institutions founded on Judeo-Christian principles. Political atheism, in a sense, is really a disingenuous mask for various anti-Western agendas masquerading as a politically neutral search for truth. Being that Christianity underlies the majority of Western institutions, it is a natural target for these folks.

That said, I definitely felt uncomfortable in OCS at the Alabama Military Academy when the entire class was marched into the chapel, seated, and asked by cadre, "who would NOT like to attend church services?" I was the first to raise my hand, at which point several others raised theirs. We were informed that we were "not on free time" and placed on a work detail. This was obviously ridiculous, because no Jew or Buddhist is going to be happy to sit through Christian services either.

But rather than quit the whole game I just attributed it to some douchebag cadre members and moved on.

You had me a big thumbs up until the final sentence. It has nothing to do with "douchebag cadre" - it had to do with you being in a place accountable for duty.
It was good that you were offered the opportunity not to participate in Chapel. That you say you were "uncomfortable" is your issue, no one else's.

If "no Jew or Buddhist is going to be happy about sitting through Christian services either"..then all THEY had to do was to raise THEIR hand.
Otherwise, their place of duty BY THEIR CHOICE was the Christian worship service.

[Jersey Dirtbag]

Originally Posted by Eagle5US

If "no Jew or Buddhist is going to be happy about sitting through Christian services either"..then all THEY had to do was to raise THEIR hand.
Otherwise, their place of duty BY THEIR CHOICE was the Christian worship service.

I agree with that. However, from the circumstances specific to the situation, it was clear that those of us who did not wish to participate were being penalized. This is a purely anecdotal assertion based on the impression I got at the time and I have no evidence to support it, but I've never had a reputation for being overly sensitive to these sorts of things (and since you read the first paragraph of my previous post, it should be evident that I'm certainly not a member of the political/militant atheist movement). My opinion is that if that work detail was so important, it should have taken precedence over religious services even for those who wanted to participate at that moment.

Regardless, it was a single instance of me disagreeing with one particular cadre member and I didn't feel compelled to write an article about it.

[Eagle5US]

Originally Posted by Jersey Dirtbag

My opinion is that if that work detail was so important, it should have taken precedence over religious services even for those who wanted to participate at that moment.

I liked your the remainder of your post...

But again you miss my primary point...it has everything to do with accountability and finding something for folks to do (work/stand on your head/pass out fishes and loaves) who weren't doing something else (i.e. church).

That's all.

[Razor]

Maybe things have changed, but I can't recall ever being forced to attend any religious event. After morning duties during summer CBT, anyone that was interested in attending a service fellout of the company formation, formed up by faith and marched to the respective service location (Catholics to the cadence of "Left, Right, Left, Right, Ooh, Aah, Fisheaters!" ). Truth be told, many attended for the time away from the barracks (those not attending a service could hang out in their rooms), along with the free cookies and punch. Once the academic year started, you made your own decision and your own way to services. Mass attendance generally dropped substantially come August, at least on Sunday mornings when cadets had the choice of sleeping in or getting into a dress uniform to go sit in a hard wooden pew for an hour or so.

Frankly, I'm glad this cadet has decided to leave before taking a commission and becoming responsible for the well-being of someone other than his own selfish ass. If he's this whiny about being exposed to the religious beliefs of others, then he would have been a real joy to work with (or worse, work for) once he joined the real Army and learned that accepting things you may not like or agree with is a regular part of the job.

Jersey Dirtbag, by sitting through those religious services, could you have potentially learned more about something that your soldiers (or coworkers, or employees, or...) believe and thus come to understand them and their worldview better?

[blue02hd]

Jersey,

This might be a thought that could help frame the bigger picture. As an Officer Candidate, did you ever consider the endless tasks, orders, and expectations that you as a young leader would place on the enlisted men who who would be expected to perform them without question, let alone whether they agreed with it or not?

[Joker]

I see him as a quitter. He would have quit sooner or later, and hopefully not when his platoon (I don't think he would have made it to an Infantry Company) needed him. I think he is just trying to justify his decision and put the institution in a bad light.

[Richard]

IRT the cadet and the religious pressures he faced at the USMA - much like a similar situation at the USAFA several years ago, maybe we would have had to have been there to fully understand his position.

Richard