Would you Trust an Officer that was not a Christian?

SGT James Murphy — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 18:48:32 -0400

Since this is Holy Week I felt this was a pertinent question.
I've run into a few non-Christians here while on RallyPoint and I always try to express my Faith and best wishes to everyone. However, I've seen a few let's call it troublesome posts from aggressively hard anti-Christians. I never ran into this my entire Active Duty Service and it gave me pause. Would I TRUST an Officer that was NOT A CHRISTIAN?

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2019 7:04 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 19:04:55 -0400

Having seen and known some Christians in battle there can be a real conflict of interest for some. Trust is earned by actions and it can change in an instant. Sometimes no two hours are the same. The best Christians I have known are the ones who never had to tell me they were it was obvious by the way the carried themselves. Personally, I am a long time recovering Catholic and anti-religion but I have always been a God Guy!

Response by SGT Nicholas M. made Apr 17 at 2019 7:12 PM

SGT Nicholas M. — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 19:12:01 -0400

What does any persons religion have to do with the level of trust you give them? No one should ever earn your trust solely because of what God they believe in. You are setting yourself up for failure if that is your only metric.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Apr 17 at 2019 7:17 PM

LTC Stephen F. — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 19:17:54 -0400

The Holy Spirit regenerated my heart as an infantry Captain in 1987, my brother SGT James Murphy. I was raised like many to be honorable and trustworthy by my parents which was reinforced by my training as a cadet at USMA.
Since God shapes the lives of HIS elect before we recognize our need for HIM and nobody knows the eternal destiny of somebody we serve under, I would trust my leaders unless proven otherwise.

Response by SPC Brent Melton made Apr 17 at 2019 7:36 PM

SPC Brent Melton — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 19:36:53 -0400

If your chain of command is espousing their beliefs (no matter what religion or lack their of) as part of their command style they're wrong. I never ran in to anyone, including the chaplains to be honest, who were trying to convert people to their religion or to put their religion on a pedestal. In Iraq our battery CP also housed the chaplain and in a little area, he had 'spiritual' items of every faith available to soldiers, they just had to take what they wanted.

For example, everything this week can agree that the loss of Notre Dame is a loss to the worlds cultural history. But, we can look at it in the responses seen on social media. Seen the cross 'glow' in the ruins and attributing it to god, instead of realizing the roof is now open and sunlight was reflecting off a highly reflective material. Other people will say that god destroyed the church on purpose to punish the Catholics. Yet others will contend that its an omen from god that mans ways are flawed and this is a sign that humanity needs to rebuild..and other, and others and others...do you see where I'm going?

All of those people are also in the Army, which you've experienced whether you realize it or not. You serve with them, you will serve with them, and you've seen Veterans who believe that way too. It doesn't matter what their religion is, its their character and how they approach leadership that matters. Your argument is like saying that only officers from West Point are decent leaders. Clearly not the case either, but you get my drift.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2019 7:42 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 19:42:28 -0400

I don’t see what religion has to do with anything. An officer’s or non-commissioned officer’s abilities and leadership aren’t determined by their faith or lack of faith. Religion has no place in the work environment or within a government. The United States does not have an official religion and is therefore not a Christian country. They should support others who want to go to religious services as long as the mission allows it but I can’t possibly see why a soldier wouldn’t trust an officer because they aren’t Christian. As long as they get the job done that’s all that matters. I myself am not a Christian and I’m an excellent leader.

Response by SSG Brian G. made Apr 17 at 2019 7:46 PM

SSG Brian G. — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 19:46:19 -0400

A persons faith, officer or otherwise is not relevant as to trust. Religion has zero place or part in the military. Does the person do what they say, mean what they say and stand behind that? Do they inspire their troops and lead by example? Are they fair, just and even handed with the troops under their command? These are the metrics of a leader, not what they believe.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2019 8:00 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 20:00:56 -0400

Whether in the military or civilian life, folks have to earn my trust. In most cases, religion is not discussed unless you are with close friends.

Response by CW4 Craig Urban made Apr 17 at 2019 8:18 PM

CW4 Craig Urban — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 20:18:21 -0400

I had a issue with a Mormon cpt at fort ord who was appointed in a special court martial against the LT I was working with. This sp/5 ran into our office and told the the 1st Lt I have got all F+++ day. The sp/5 was Mormon. The CPT let him off. He never got a command and it cost him his career

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 17 at 2019 8:21 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 20:21:10 -0400

Whether a person is christian, Muslim, Buddhist or any other religion does not make him a good or bad officer it just means he believes something that I do not. I will follow anyone who is reasonable and knows what he/she is doing. But then again I have to follow most people so XD

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Apr 17 at 2019 8:38 PM

LtCol Robert Quinter — Wed, 17 Apr 2019 20:38:51 -0400

I have a problem with the question. Among those I served with were Christians of all persuasions, Jews, Muslims, LDS, atheists, and agnostics. Quite frankly, a person's faith was not an issue and I can't think of a single time, other than when we were replacing their dog tags or they were killed, that it was necessary to check the OQR or SRB to ensure we were accurate or the measures we as a unit took were appropriate. Nor did I ever see an individual turn down a chaplain's psychological or religious help or counsel in a combat zone when they felt it was needed because the Chaplain's primary religion was not their own. If DOD has changed to the point where it is an issue, God (however he is defined) save us. We were all concerned with accomplishing the mission, not what or whether an individual shared our religious beliefs. So far as the hard anti-Christians, such foolishness was something that seems to disappear when you're sharing being shot at; the obnoxious rants are saved for times when they have nothing better to do.

Response by Cpl Mark A. Morris made Apr 18 at 2019 8:07 AM

Cpl Mark A. Morris — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 08:07:24 -0400

An American Military person should be judged by their actions. Do they do what they agreed to do? Do they give and follow lawful orders? Their religion should not matter.
What if all Universal Church members only took orders from same. Or, Baptist only took orders from Baptists. Lock up your religion and politics in your duffle bag and get out there and complete the mission.

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Apr 18 at 2019 11:52 AM

MSG Stan Hutchison — Thu, 18 Apr 2019 11:52:15 -0400

You left off the most obvious answer: It does not matter one way or the other.