I have a friend who wants to join the Army, but he is a Jehovah's Witness. Is there any advice on this subject at hand I can give him?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 02:48:18 -0400

Response by CCMSgt Michael Sullivan Ph.D made May 19 at 2015 2:54 AM

CCMSgt Michael Sullivan Ph.D — Tue, 19 May 2015 02:54:23 -0400

Maybe the Chaplin service

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 3:08 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 03:08:28 -0400

Wwweeeeellllllll, the Jehovah's Witnesses tried to get my wife to join a few years back... They told her I couldn't get into heaven because I was in the Army... I don't know enough about their beliefs to say if this lines up with them or not (their beliefs), but if true this may be a source of sgnificant conflict with him and the church...

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 3:11 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 03:11:48 -0400

A guy in my unit is a devout Morman, and I know some things can really get to him but he takes everything in stride, being true to his beliefs. It's possible, but not easy. Still they aren't necessarily connected; one is work, and one is belief.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 4:09 AM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 04:09:19 -0400

As long as he can check his beliefs to ensure they don't get in a way of mission accomplishment, he should be good to go. Though instructions outline religious accommodations whenever possible, he shouldn't get his hopes up too high especially at the high op-tempo commands. On plus side, he might not have a problem from knocking on doors to knocking down doors if you know what I mean

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 4:59 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 04:59:53 -0400

The very fact that he is interested in joining tells me he probably isn't a devout Jehovah's Witness. From what I understand they look down on military service, even going so far as to say that service members can never get into heaven. If he decides to join it could cause major conflict with his family. He needs to understand, too, that he may not be able to practice all tenents of his faith while he is a service member. It's a decisiont hat he should talk over with his family and religious leaders before he commits, so that he understands the full impact that federal service will have on his relationship with his family and his faith.

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made May 19 at 2015 5:27 AM

CH (MAJ) William Beaver — Tue, 19 May 2015 05:27:14 -0400

As an Army Chaplain I would have him do some serious soul-searching. If he joins, he must (1) salute flag, (2) fight. If he joins, he must prepare to be excommunicated.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 6:23 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 06:23:58 -0400

I would tell him that even God has an Army, and that as long as he fulfills his duties in an honorable and morally upstanding manner than there is nothing he needs to worry about.

Response by SPC Makissa Lewis made May 19 at 2015 6:48 AM

SPC Makissa Lewis — Tue, 19 May 2015 06:48:36 -0400

He can try for Chaplain assistant and see if he likes it. If he does work his way up to Chaplain.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 7:23 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 07:23:33 -0400

I had a Soldier in my unit who was Jahovah's Witness. He thought he could roconcile the differences between his faith and the Army, he could not. He ended up separating as a conscientious objector. He was a hard worker but his faith conflicted with the Army. As I recall, his family disowned him as well.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 7:31 AM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 07:31:55 -0400

My brother in law and his wife are witnesses. Conversations I've had with them in the past (we don't talk much) lead me to believe that depending on your friends devoutness he's either going to have problems with the army or he's going to have problems with his church.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 19 at 2015 9:31 AM

MSG Brad Sand — Tue, 19 May 2015 09:31:47 -0400

If you know someone who wants to join, point them to the local recruiters.

The questions about his faith and military service is between him and God.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 9:42 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 09:42:32 -0400

There was another thread on here about reconciling taking a life w/ your faith. The best way I can think of this is that a select few are chosen to put on the full armor of God. There is evil in this world on only some are brave enough to stand against it.

However, it is my understanding that the particular faith of Jehovah's Witness does not allow for membership in the military. I knew a former marine (one of the only ones I've ever heard refer to himself as an "ex-marine") who joined the Jehovah's Witness when he got out as that was the faith his girlfriend (future wife) was. He was not allowed to attend veteran functions, either.

Now, as it is with all branches of the religion, I'm sure there are tweaks & rules bent to accommodate.

In the end, it comes down to, does the faith call you stronger than the service?

Response by SGT Cody Skinner made May 19 at 2015 10:05 AM

SGT Cody Skinner — Tue, 19 May 2015 10:05:13 -0400

I have worked in the Civilian world and had a Jehovah's Witnesses in my Military Police OSUT. She didn't even make it through to start Basic, and was transferred to be a Chaplain. Her words, "I didn't think I would really have to shoot someone." This was is 2001.

It was explained to me that Jehovah Witnesses can not join the Military, because it could put them in the position of killing a fellow Jehovah Witness on the opposing side. Also I thought they couldn't act out in violence towards others. At least that is what the Jehovah Witness I worked with said.

Employing them turned the Company upside down. We could no longer celebrate Birthday's or any Holiday's in the office for fear of offending them. Our end of Year Christmas Party and Bonuses ended. It flat sucked to go to work. Eventually they left to seek other opportunities and the Office / employees were immediately in a better mood. We have gone back to celebrating Birthday's and having fun on the Holidays which has really improved moral.

Response by SrA Edward Vong made May 19 at 2015 10:22 AM

SrA Edward Vong — Tue, 19 May 2015 10:22:06 -0400

A good advice would be to your friend to look at what he considers his priority, defending the constitution, or his religious beliefs.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 10:25 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 10:25:43 -0400

It's definately one of those cases in which he will need to decide if he can conform to the rules and regulations and still be able to conform to his religion. i went through training with 3 and they all have been seperated now.

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 10:28 AM

CW5 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 10:28:58 -0400

If he wants to serve the country and not ever face the issue of taking up arms, there is always civil service jobs.

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made May 19 at 2015 10:31 AM

SA Harold Hansmann — Tue, 19 May 2015 10:31:49 -0400

Stick him in supplying as a cook, he won't have to fight, and there fore no conflict of interest with his religion.
Bwaaaaaa haaaaaa haaaaa

Response by SPC Eddie Espejo made May 19 at 2015 11:25 AM

SPC Eddie Espejo — Tue, 19 May 2015 11:25:50 -0400

yeah tell him dont stand out and be special or the drills gonna give him special attention

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 12:25 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 12:25:37 -0400

He has to reconcile himself with his faith. In the end, he has to live with his own conscience.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made May 19 at 2015 12:44 PM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Tue, 19 May 2015 12:44:44 -0400

We salute the flag. We kill people who kill us. He needs to be able to do at least those two things.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 19 at 2015 12:49 PM

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 19 May 2015 12:49:36 -0400

Have him/her talk to his Clergyman. Then to his/ family.
Once he has considered have him talk to a chaplain in person as well as a recruiter. From that point it is up to him.

Response by SGT John Wesley made May 19 at 2015 5:42 PM

SGT John Wesley — Tue, 19 May 2015 17:42:31 -0400

I'd tell him that his beliefs would conflict with his oath

Response by PO3 Jeffrey Levy made May 19 at 2015 7:09 PM

PO3 Jeffrey Levy — Tue, 19 May 2015 19:09:15 -0400

Keep religion, politics and sex behind closed doors. Other than that; who cares as long as he can follow orders, get the job done, and lead...

Response by SA Harold Hansmann made May 19 at 2015 10:08 PM

SA Harold Hansmann — Tue, 19 May 2015 22:08:19 -0400

Almost made an Air Force comment, biting tongue.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 20 at 2015 2:34 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 20 May 2015 02:34:37 -0400

If the Jehovah's Witness religion forbids military service, then if he wants to join the Army, why would he want to remain a Jehovah's Witness? As CH Beaver said, he would have to do some soul-searching and consider converting to another religion.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made May 20 at 2015 4:19 PM

MAJ Ken Landgren — Wed, 20 May 2015 16:19:21 -0400

How old is he?

Response by SPC Alex Shiflett made May 20 at 2015 6:23 PM

SPC Alex Shiflett — Wed, 20 May 2015 18:23:55 -0400

Nothing wrong with serving his country that allows him to practice the religion of his choice. If he wants to help he can always sign up to be a medic.

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made May 20 at 2015 11:45 PM

SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA — Wed, 20 May 2015 23:45:09 -0400

Jehova's Witness in the military? Not going to happen.

Unless of course he is one just in name.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 1:06 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 13:06:00 -0400

He is welcome as long as he understands that he may be required to takes lives in defense of this country, salute the flag and higher ranking officers, and follow the rules and traditions of the military.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made May 22 at 2015 6:20 PM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 22 May 2015 18:20:17 -0400

Pretty sure the army has been around longer; therefore, god created the army before he created the Jehovahs. Priorities through the Lord's eyes.

Response by CPL Timothy Coffey made Feb 28 at 2016 9:36 PM

CPL Timothy Coffey — Sun, 28 Feb 2016 21:36:57 -0500

Yes, tell him how diverse the Army is towards religious beliefs, and let him talk to a chaplain.