Posted on Dec 17, 2017
‘Spiritual fitness’ not just about God, sergeant major of the Marine Corps says
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Spiritual Fitness will help with the suicide problem in the MIlitary SGT Jim Arnold Capt Dwayne Conyers SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth CPL Dave Hoover GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad COL Mikel J. Burroughs GySgt Lawrence Sanchez, GySgt USMC SGM Matthew Quick @woo LTC Stephen F. LTC Greg Henning
‘Spiritual fitness’ not just about God, sergeant major of the Marine Corps says
Posted from marinecorpstimes.com
Marines
Spirituality
God
Sergeant Major
Posted 7 y ago
Responses: 4
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I have two issues with SgtMaj. Green's comments.
*Disclaimer: I do not have an issue with SgtMaj Green himself, merely the message he was putting out*
1.) During his 34 years in the Marine Corps, Green said, he has never seen a Marine or sailor refuse to take part when a chaplain has said, “Let us pray.” As others have pointed out, this is blatantly not the case. Every formation of every event, change of command or whatever it was that I've been in, there were Marines that didn't bow their head.
2.) That some type of lack of "Spirituality" in some form is to blame for suicide rates. Marines regularly see and sometimes have to do extremely traumatizing things. It's the nature of the beast and we have far too many good people suffering from PTSD and depression.
Having been in for the time that I was, the Corps has a problem. Healthy grieving and coping are shunned. If you have a problem, it is not outright said, but dissent is deeply discouraged. This leaves service members feeling alone and that they cannot seek help, despite what any MCFLC, FRO, or Safety brief says. Do we need to have thick skin, yes, but we also need to deal with mental illness and mental issues in a way that will not stigmatize people.
Touting some sort of spirituality is extremely misguided and will only ostracize more service members who need legitimate, professional (non-military related) help.
*Disclaimer: I do not have an issue with SgtMaj Green himself, merely the message he was putting out*
1.) During his 34 years in the Marine Corps, Green said, he has never seen a Marine or sailor refuse to take part when a chaplain has said, “Let us pray.” As others have pointed out, this is blatantly not the case. Every formation of every event, change of command or whatever it was that I've been in, there were Marines that didn't bow their head.
2.) That some type of lack of "Spirituality" in some form is to blame for suicide rates. Marines regularly see and sometimes have to do extremely traumatizing things. It's the nature of the beast and we have far too many good people suffering from PTSD and depression.
Having been in for the time that I was, the Corps has a problem. Healthy grieving and coping are shunned. If you have a problem, it is not outright said, but dissent is deeply discouraged. This leaves service members feeling alone and that they cannot seek help, despite what any MCFLC, FRO, or Safety brief says. Do we need to have thick skin, yes, but we also need to deal with mental illness and mental issues in a way that will not stigmatize people.
Touting some sort of spirituality is extremely misguided and will only ostracize more service members who need legitimate, professional (non-military related) help.
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"During his 34 years in the Marine Corps, Green said, he has never seen a Marine or sailor refuse to take part when a chaplain has said, “Let us pray.”"
Green should open his eyes when a chaplain is leading prayer (especially an evangelical chaplain) and have a look around. On average roughly 1 in 4 are clearly not taking part.
Green should open his eyes when a chaplain is leading prayer (especially an evangelical chaplain) and have a look around. On average roughly 1 in 4 are clearly not taking part.
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MSG Frederick Otero
Here is what i noticed: When combat was imminent everyone bowed their head especially those who had experienced previous combat situations. Outside of combat not so much. I will concede that times have changed and that the 1 out of four may be the present norm.
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