[QUOTE=dtilque]
When I got to basic training, the TI (same as drill instructor) threatened to give anyone not going to church extra duties to fill in those hours. Not surprisingly, everyone went to church in basic. Or at least went in that general direction. After a couple weeks, I found that a large fraction of my flight were skipping the services and just hanging out somewhere near the chapel.
[/QUOTE]
Must have been a hardcase TI. When I was in Navy boot camp 35 years ago there was chapel held on Sunday, but we could opt out and go to a “moral values” lecture in its place. I went for the sermon, instead. The one Jewish guy would attend an evening service (I forget if it was Friday or Saturday) when the rest of us weren’t doing any training, and hang around the barracks during the hour or two on Sunday, but didn’t get any extra duty. We had no Muslims in the company but I imagine they would be accomodated as well.
[QUOTE=DrCube]
I’d prefer not to have my “religion” listed as “atheism” though. That makes it sound like I worship Richard Dawkins.
[/QUOTE]
To be fair, the dude is pretty hardcore.
[QUOTE=DrCube]
…It took me a while to get the paperwork to reflect my atheism, though. For years, even though I’d put “None” next to “Religion” when it was asked, I’d see “No religious preference” in all my files, including my dogtags. But I do have a preference, and that preference is no religion at all. It’s a subtle difference. I finally put down "Atheist’ and after a few tries, it finally stuck…
[/QUOTE]
Thank you for your service to our country. If you decide to be buried in a National Cemetery at your death, your religious views, or lack thereof, should be properly reflected: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/23/AR2007042302073.html