You have to pass a "spiritual fitness" test to serve in the Army?

[techs]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/01/06/army-faces-questions-over_n_805524.html
http://www.hood.army.mil/resiliencycampus/Spirit.aspx
http://rockbeyondbelief.com/2011/01...ness-test-is-religious-test-unconstitutional/

Army's "Spiritual Fitness" Test Comes Under Fire
They say it unconstitutionally requires enlistees to believe in God or a "higher power" in order to be deemed "spiritually fit" to serve in the Army.

Actual test:

wtf? Just give me a gun and point me at the enemy, right?

 

[chalmers]

I dunno, but I'm sure it's Sarah Palin's fault.

 

[Bateluer]

wtf? Just give me a gun and point me at the enemy, right?

I doubt this test is a real test for the military that would bar you from service. But, spiritual health is part of mental health. During my time in the USAF, I did get to take a number of mental health tests and assessments, most of which had questions related to one's spirituality.

 

[Jeff7]

I doubt this test is a real test for the military that would bar you from service. But, spiritual health is part of mental health. During my time in the USAF, I did get to take a number of mental health tests and assessments, most of which had questions related to one's spirituality.

So let's assume that I'm not spiritual at all, and don't believe that any kind of "soul" exists. Now what?

 

[waggy]

wtf that can't be real. unless its something new.

a buddy of mine (i was his big brother in the big brother program) is in the army. he does not believe any of that..

 

[Bateluer]

So let's assume that I'm not spiritual at all, and don't believe that any kind of "soul" exists. Now what?

The closest the USAF ever got to forcing us to go to church was when there was an event that could be held with the facilities at the base church. Sometimes the other facilities were booked. The week we had several suicides in a row, the wing shut down for a day, dubbed a family day. Different flights went into 'flight calls' at the base chapel with the base psychologists/psychiatrists, clergy from different faiths, etc, for support discussions, mental health support, etc.

I should note that the only people you can speak with in the military and have complete confidentiality is with a member of the clergy. Tell a base psychologist you have a drug problem, and they'll have to report you. Tell a clergymen the same thing, they're not allowed to.

A lot of people answered in the negative for a lot of the religious questions, I don't recall anything happening to them. But these people didn't display any mental health flags either.

Mental health and stability is an important part of military service.

 

[rudeguy]

So let's assume that I'm not spiritual at all, and don't believe that any kind of "soul" exists. Now what?

well if you deny reality...what choice do they have?

 

[DangerAardvark]

well if you deny reality...what choice do they have?

They'd probably lose half of the military on the basis of evolution denial alone if denial of reality was a disqualifier for service.

 

[Mike Gayner]

well if you deny reality...what choice do they have?

Why am I not surprised that rudeguy is a religiotard?

 

[Jeff7]

well if you deny reality...what choice do they have?

:hmm:

 

[MarkXIX]

This has absolutely no bearing on your career or participation in the United States Army whatsoever.

I am an Atheist through and through. While I thought it odd to include this part of the survey, I am wise enough to know that it would skew my result by answering honestly (which I did).

Bottom line, it has no impact whatsoever. Its not like I was acosted by Chaplains of all faiths attempting to convert me or kick me out. Also, loss of faith is a common situation with Soldiers who are forced to kill in war. I know many Soldiers who, after deploying and killing the enemy, seeing what the enemy does to their own people, etc., lost all faith in God as a result. So, in this regard, the survey is a good indicator of potential problems with continued service where it conflicts with their previous religious belief system.

 

[SaDiZTiKStyLeZ]

I thought this was made news long ago? Could have swore I remembered some article about someone being discharged from military for being an atheist.

 

[FelixDeCat]

You cant trust atheists. They dont exist in fox holes either. So this makes sense to me.

 

[datalink7]

As a Company Commander for a US Army Recruiting Company, I can say I've never seen this test. So no, you don't have to pass a "spiritual fitness test" to serve in the army.

 

[jtusa]

Yeah, I'm in the Army, I've never seen this test before, so calm yourselves.

 

[MarkXIX]

datalink7,

We were required by our higher HQ to complete the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness survey last year. We were told it was mandatory.

Like most Soldiers did, they randomly clicked through it until it said they were done and their name registered in the system. No one really gave a shit about it to be honest. More "busy work" from the Army.

 

[TehMac]

Nowhere in the constitution does it say that serving in the armed forces is a right. The military have their own prerogatives and it should remain that way.

But I guess to the leftist twats, servicemembers are just a bunch of baby killers anyway.

 

[FelixDeCat]

Yeah, I'm in the Army, I've never seen this test before, so calm yourselves.

seemed obvious to me too

they didnt have it back in 1990 when i was in either

 

[TehMac]

and basically, they're trying to screen for preventing another Ft Hood massacre without banning the entire Muslim u.s. pop from joining.

 

[Lifted]

1980's - Cold War
2010's - Holy War

 

[datalink7]

datalink7,

We were required by our higher HQ to complete the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness survey last year. We were told it was mandatory.

Like most Soldiers did, people randomly clicked through it until it said they were done and their name registered in the system.

I wasn't saying that this test didn't exist at all.

The OP claimed "You have to pass a "spiritual fitness" test to serve in the Army?" I was replying to that. You don't have to pass any such thing.

Now the Army is always passing out various surveys to evaluate the health and welfare of their troops. I'm sure this is one of them, and that is probably what you took. However, as a Soldier assigned to USAREC, I can unequivocally say that you don't have to "pass" any kind of "spiritual fitness test" in order to enlist.

 

[MarkXIX]

This is just a bunch of bullshit by some morons people! Trust me on this.

There are Atheists and there are Anti-theists and most trumpeting this story are in the second crowd.

Honestly, who gives a fuck if someone asks if you're spritual or not? Say "no" and move the fuck on! I bet if there was a question on there about poor eating and exercise habits, a bunch of fat bastards would be whining that their little line chart thingy was red for the fatass category too.

I am sick and fucking tired of whiny ass "me too" fucking people in this world. "Your survey didn't include me in it and said I'm red and wrong so I'm gonna fucking cry like a little baby girl until I get what I want!" How about shut the fuck up once in a while and learn to cope with people in the world around you?! SHIT!!!

 

[MarkXIX]

I wasn't saying that this test didn't exist at all.

The OP claimed "You have to pass a "spiritual fitness" test to serve in the Army?" I was replying to that. You don't have to pass any such thing.

Now the Army is always passing out various surveys to evaluate the health and welfare of their troops. I'm sure this is one of them, and that is probably what you took. However, as a Soldier assigned to USAREC, I can unequivocally say that you don't have to "pass" any kind of "spiritual fitness test" in order to enlist.

Agree totally and that's what I said in an earlier reply. This isn't in any way a service qualifier.

Our command required us to do it, people mostly blew it off by clicking some bullshit until they were done. Simple. No one has given a shit since and its been over a year now.

 

[Lifted]

How about shut the fuck up once in a while and learn to cope with people in the world around you?! SHIT!!!

I see what you did there.

 

[Perknose]

I am an Atheist through and through. While I thought it odd to include this part of the survey, I am wise enough to know that it would skew my result by answering honestly (which I did).

Bottom line, it has no impact whatsoever.

If soldiers received a low score on their spiritual fitness questions, they received an assessment that said "Spiritual fitness is an area of possible difficulty for you. ... Improving your spiritual fitness should be an important goal."

As an Atheist, after answering honestly, did you receive the "assessment" listed above?