Air Force rules limit size of tattoos, role of gospel

[rug]

14 hours ago
By Kari Huus, NBC News

Just days before retiring as Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen. Norton Schwartz issued a document designed to dictate the conduct of U.S. airmen worldwide — all violations enforceable by military law. For the first time, amid regulations on tattoo size and flag handling etiquette, it laid down the law on religious proselytizing by leaders: Don’t do it.

Section 2.11 of the 27-page Air Force Instruction AFI 1-1 Standards of Conduct is the latest salvo in a battle over religious bias and Christian proselytizing in the military branch. It calls on officers and supervisors to "avoid the actual or apparent use of their position to promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion."

The document's section on religion echoes a memo Schwartz sent out to all Air Force leadership on religion last September, but adds the threat of penalty for violations.

"COMPLIANCE WITH THIS PUBLICATION IS MANDATORY," the memo says in bold, adding that "failure to adhere to the standards set out in this instruction can form the basis for adverse action under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ)."

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/08/22/13397843-air-force-rules-limit-size-of-tattoos-role-of-gospel?lite

[TrogL]

1. Bravo

[longship]

2. Thank you!!! Finally!!!

Myself, I think tattoos are stupid. Only a brain dead fool would get one. But that is a personal opinion, not a rational one.

The other decision is way overdue and will do much to eliminate the kookiness in the military with regards to religion.

I am sorry. But I do not want a guy with a nuke launch key in his hands to think that if he launches Jesus will save the world. I know that there are checks and balances. But if a Loonie gets into the White House and orders nukes, I would like to think that there was a rational person with the key in his or her hand who would say, "Not only no, hell no."

That's why the checks and balances are there at all levels, in spite of the chain of command.

I am probably ignorant of this. But it is something I would wish for.

[Fumesucker]

3. Telling that he waited until just before retirement to issue these regulations..

There will be a major shitstorm over this from the fundies and he didn't want to deal with the crap he knows full well is coming down the pike.