CHAPLAIN ALLIANCE FOR RELIGIOUS LIBERTY June 29, 2017 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact CHAPLAIN ENDORSERS at info@chaplainalliance.org or call (571) 293-2427
Chaplains commend Ernst for protecting religious liberty
WASHINGTON — Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty is commending Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, for her training program amendment that the Senate Armed Services Committee passed during their mark-up of the National Defense Authorization Act.
Ernst offered language that urges the Department of Defense to develop a comprehensive training program for commanders, JAGs (military lawyers), and chaplains concerning the implementation of religious liberty provisions already passed by Congress.
“Congress passed clear language to protect the freedom of religion and conscience of military personnel in the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act; however, DoD has never fully implemented training to make sure commanders, military lawyers, and chaplains fully understand what these protections mean and how to apply them,” said Chaplain (COL) Ron Crews, USA (Retired), executive director of Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty. “This amendment is a significant step toward ensuring that this happens. We commend Sen. Ernst and the committee and sincerely hope the full Senate and House will keep this provision in the NDAA.”
Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty is an organization of chaplain endorsers, the faith groups that provide chaplains for the U.S. military and other agencies needing chaplains. The endorsers in Chaplain Alliance speak for more than 2,600 chaplains serving the Armed Forces.
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