Disclaimer: My post today is in no way meant to bash the military or any of it's members, I am simply relaying my experiences, and those of my family members. Also, while I am speaking predominantly of Jews, and Judaism, I am not ignoring the other major religions, I believe they should also be understood.
Religion in the Army is a belief that tends to either be "found," while serving, or something that becomes obsolete.
To be a Jew in the Army, however, is a challenge all on it's own. Whether it be through interacting with people who are ignorant of the belief system, are intolerant of it, or simply inconsiderate of it, to be Jewish in the American Military is not a simple feat.
Three of the main challenges that my family has come across, as Jews, are those of; anti-Semitics, non-Kosher food, and Holidays. Each one of us, being my father, my brother, and myself, have dealt with at least one of the three in unfortunate circumstances.
I believe that if people choose to devote their lives to defending their country, then their country should put in a little more effort in accommodating them. I am NOT saying that as Jews we deserve any special privileges or attention, but rather that we should get some understanding, and perhaps some Kosher fish or meat in the chow-hall every so often.
As Jews there are essentially three major holidays that are observed more strictly than the rest, if the entire workforce can shut down for Christmas, then surely a few Jews serving in the military get a day off for their own holidays? I'm not asking for much and in fact not all of the holidays require to take an entire day off, as sometimes the holidays fall on a weekend and just the evening before would need to be taken off, resulting in a half-day.
As for Anti-Semitism, unfortunately it is a problem that is not as easily addressed. When my brother was in Basic Training he was the victim of anti-Semitism, but it was not from his fellow privates. No, it was from his Drill Sergeant, one of the men you are meant to look to for guidance and protection. As a private he was unable to stand up and defend himself, and neither would any of his fellow comrades help, because they did not want to risk the ridicule turned on them. Instead, my brother stayed quiet, he wrote to my father a list of all of the things his Drill Sergeant said and did, such as; calling him vulgar names, ridiculing him in front of the rest of the platoon, and not allowing him to go to his services on Sundays, services which are his right according to military doctrine. After a long process the issue was brought up to the right people, and without going into details, the Drill Sergeant's career was essentially ended.
While I personally did not experience any outward forms of Anti-Semitism, or holds on my services, I experienced the challenges of being Jewish in a different way, through my dietary laws. Every meal, while at Basic Combat Training (BCT), I would walk along the buffet line and look at all of the good food: chicken, fish/seafood, burgers, steak, anything you could want. The only problem was, I could not eat any of it. Often times I would order the fish entree's, believing I would be safe in my choice, only to find out it was catfish, or some other non-Kosher fish, and I would have to put my fork down and slide my meal away.
I understand that Kosher food is more expensive than the "cheap stuff," and that the Army cannot cater to the one Jewish girl who actually follows the dietary laws, but the least they could do, beyond labeling the fish, is ensure that they always have some sort of vegetarian option available, an issue I came across a few times.
I love the Army and I love being Jewish, I just wish I didn't have to compromise one for the other. There have been many times I came across people who had never even met a Jew and especially never thought they would see one in the Army. While, I know the Army cannot adhere to all of the dietary or religious laws of Judaism, the least they can do is to create a class on religion. A class that would enlighten everyone, not just the Army, on the many faces that make up the U.S. Military, so that our military can truly be brothers, and sisters, in arms. A military where we all understand one another.
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