Atheist soldier claims harassment

[Caleb]

I dislike the military as much as anyone, but does this guy really have a case, when you look at it objectively?

Basically, he has two points:

1)  I felt that I couldn't come out as an atheist.

Ok ... that's on you, right? I mean, am I looking at it wrong? This isn't saying anybody did anything to him, only that he felt a certain way.  Ok. That's good. It's nice to acknowledge your feelings.

2)  A superior threatened me for holding a gathering of atheists.  But, even though this guy was a really low ranking person, and I had ample opportunity to file a grievance, I neglected to do so. I shunned all internal forms that were available to me and immediately jumped to the courts. But hey, I must be a great guy, cause some lawyer with a financial stake in my case called me a hero.

[Jim Johnson]

When I was in Basic Training, they had a hard time wrapping their heads around 'No Preference' which was the only non-religion reference, but, they had a real hard time with my refusal to buy US Savings bonds

I'm not sure I understand this. Is there some unwritten rule that people in the military are supposed to buy US Savings bonds?

Yes... well not a rule, but unwritten heavy pressure.

[J’raxis 270145]

When I was in Basic Training, they had a hard time wrapping their heads around 'No Preference' which was the only non-religion reference, but, they had a real hard time with my refusal to buy US Savings bonds

I'm not sure I understand this. Is there some unwritten rule that people in the military are supposed to buy US Savings bonds?

Yes... well not a rule, but unwritten heavy pressure.

You don't hate America, do you?

[Caleb]

Hate is such a strong word. 

[ReverendRyan]

2)  A superior threatened me for holding a gathering of atheists.  But, even though this guy was a really low ranking person, and I had ample opportunity to file a grievance, I neglected to do so. I shunned all internal forms that were available to me and immediately jumped to the courts. But hey, I must be a great guy, cause some lawyer with a financial stake in my case called me a hero.

I don't know about the military specifically, but most every mediation protocol allows you to bypass those in the chain with conflicts of interest or whom you are uncomfortable dealing with or fear retribution from.

If the military protocol is the same, he may truly feel that no matter how high up the chain he went, it would adversely affect him. In that case, taking it to court is the appropriate response.

And if that isn't part of the protocol, it's just evidence of corruption, and he's still justified in taking it to court to avoid that.

[Pat McCotter]

When I was in Basic Training, they had a hard time wrapping their heads around 'No Preference' which was the only non-religion reference, but, they had a real hard time with my refusal to buy US Savings bonds

I'm not sure I understand this. Is there some unwritten rule that people in the military are supposed to buy US Savings bonds?

Yep, and contribute to United Way "so we have 100% participation."