Photo courtesy of Army.mil
Sgt. Justin Griffith of the Fort Bragg, NC, Army base reports that the Army is promoting a Christian-themed Vacation Bible School this summer. He writes:
Earlier this month, all 50,000 troops stationed at Fort Bragg received a message from our Public Affairs Office. It was a brief announcement for the Annual Garrison Chaplain’s Vacation Bible School which stated,
"The annual Garrison Chaplain’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) will be held at Gordon Elementary (Linden Oaks) June 16-17 from 9 a.m.-noon and Devers Elementary (Ardennes) June 20-24 from 9 a.m.-noon.VBS is available for DOD Family members who have completed kindergarten through the sixth grade. [...] You may obtain a registration form at any one of the chapels, Watters Center or Religious Support Office."
Vacation Bible Schools Promoted Worldwide.
Similar Vacation Bible School (VBS) activities have been conducted at Ft. Stewart, GA, Ft. Knox, KY, and numerous other locations at bases in the United States and internationally. The Army describes a VBS centered around a "bayou" theme in Germany:
Each day, the children learned a new Bible theme, such as "God is with us" and "God gives us new life," which was incorporated into every activity, from a Swamp Stomp song and dance to a video and craft.
"I like the songs we sing and the opportunity to praise Jesus," said Leia Generally, 9.
Spiritual Fitness.
At Camp Darby, Italy, the VBS was tied to "Spiritual Fitness" by the chaplain overseeing a September 2010 bible study camp. The Army reports,
Being spiritually fit is an important part of Soldier, Family and Civilian readiness," said U.S. Army Capt. Paul Fritts, Camp Darby Chaplain. "Vacation Bible School is one small way in which Camp Darby's chapel program enhances spiritual fitness by getting everyone, from the kids and their parents to our chapel volunteers, involved in promoting the overall well-being of our community.
[...]
Chaplain Fritts added that vacation bible school is one of the many ways the chapel enhances performance and builds resiliency of service members, civilians and families on Camp Darby.
"Spiritual Fitness" has been incorporated into the The Global Assessment Tool, which consists of about 150 questions that measures service members' strength and fitness in five dimensions: social, emotional, spiritual, family and physical. Unbelievers have failed the spiritual aspect of these tests, which are being challenged by the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. According to the Army's video on this assessment tool, it will be administered every two years and scores will be used to determine the "training appropriate for your level of maturity and knowledge and skills."
The Army's Chaplains who take part in this spiritual fitness aspect represent numerous faiths; however, there has been hostility toward allowing Humanist chaplains into the fold. An April 2011 promotional piece about the Army's chaplains concludes with a remark from Paul Madej, Catholic Chaplain:
"You walk up a mountain in war with a soldier and they know you're on their side. When they know you're on their side, whether they believe or not, they know that God is with them."
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