The recent social policy changes in the United States Armed Forces have been welcomed by some and have been a point of contention for others. Chaplains have a great interest in these social policy changes as "clergy-in-uniform" perform and provide religious support to soldiers and their families. The research surveyed chaplains about their attitudes about these policy changes and perceptions of effects on their job performance and career decisions. The study adds to empirical research on the subject and provides data suggesting that the Army Chaplaincy could supply a portable model for balancing religious liberty and personal liberty in a Western pluralistic democracy. The research may also inform organizations, particularly political entities, on the subject of public policy and large-scale change. This research paper represents is not a formal report of the UNC School of Government. This research paper is in no way associated with the U.S. government nor the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps. The author’s conclusions are his own.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Problem
3. Background
4. The Research Question and Hypothesis
5. Literature Review
6. Methodology
7. Survey Design
8. The Results and Analysis
9. Recommendations
10. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This research aims to analyze the impact of recent social policy changes, such as the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and the Defense of Marriage Act, on the activities, professional attitudes, and career perceptions of U.S. Army Chaplains within a changing secularized society.
- Effects of social policy shifts on military religious support.
- Balancing religious liberty with professional military obligations.
- Analysis of Chaplain morale and future ministry retention.
- Implementation of "cooperation without compromise" as a professional model.
- Quantitative assessment of Chaplain performance during periods of social turbulence.
Excerpt from the Book
The Problem
The singular problem presented is the difficulty of public policy (and the rights of those individuals for which the public policy exists) colliding with the religious liberty of others (and the rights they have and which they guard, as Chaplains). The problem is compounded in that events have moved rapidly.
Studies have shown that the social policy changes—the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, repeal of the federal Defense of Marriage Act, and the U.S. Supreme Court ruling on “Obergefell et al, v. Hodges, Ohio Department of Health et al”—have a mixed effect on commanders, officers, and Soldiers in military organizations, but the evolution of the “broad social change” issues suggest that additional studies are needed to explore how the social changes may be effecting the religious liberty-performance of military clergy—Chaplains.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the challenges of navigating public policy in a secularizing society and introduces the research focus on military chaplains.
The Problem: Examines the collision between emerging social policies and the religious liberties of military chaplains.
Background: Provides the legislative history regarding the repeal of DADT, DOMA, and the impact of the Supreme Court's Obergefell ruling.
The Research Question and Hypothesis: Defines the core inquiry regarding the impact of these policies on Chaplain ministry activities.
Literature Review: Summarizes existing studies on military readiness, religious liberty, and organizational cohesion post-policy change.
Methodology: Describes the quantitative approach using an online survey to collect anonymous data from U.S. Army Chaplains.
Survey Design: Details the structure of the fourteen-question survey focused on personal beliefs, religious support activities, and career retention.
The Results and Analysis: Presents the statistical findings indicating both strong personal opposition to policy changes and a commitment to continued, visible ministry.
Recommendations: Offers lessons for leaders on bridge-building, maintaining faith-based integrity, and fostering civility in public discourse.
Conclusion: Synthesizes the study's findings, affirming the model of "cooperation without compromise" as a way forward for military chaplaincy.
Keywords
U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, Religious Liberty, Don't Ask Don't Tell, Defense of Marriage Act, Social Policy, Military Ministry, Cooperation without Compromise, Public Policy, Organizational Morale, Military Readiness, Secularization, Chaplain Retention, Culture Wars, Civic Discourse, Pastoral Practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper examines how recent major social policy changes in the U.S. military have affected the activities, attitudes, and career plans of U.S. Army Chaplains.
What are the central themes of the work?
Key themes include the balance between religious liberty and public policy, the professional resilience of chaplains, and how military clergy navigate organizational change.
What is the core research question?
The research asks what impact recent social policy changes have had on select ministry activities performed by Chaplains within the United States Army.
Which scientific methodology does the author employ?
The author uses a quantitative research design, specifically an anonymous online survey distributed to a population of U.S. Army Chaplains to gather data on their perceptions and experiences.
What does the main body of the paper cover?
It provides a legislative background of the policy changes, a literature review of related studies, the survey design, and an analysis of the survey results regarding chaplain morale and ministry practices.
What are the key terms that define this study?
Key terms include "Cooperation without Compromise," religious liberty, military chaplaincy, social policy, and organizational cohesion.
How do Chaplains generally feel about the repeal of DOMA?
The survey results indicated that a significant majority of responding chaplains believed the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act was a mistake, largely citing religious convictions.
Does the research suggest that Chaplains are leaving the military because of these changes?
According to the survey, only a small percentage (11%) of the chaplains indicated that the social policy changes have caused them to consider concluding their military careers.
What is the concept of "cooperation without compromise" mentioned in the text?
It is a model practiced by chaplains that involves remaining faithful to their specific religious tenets while still respecting others and collaborating effectively within a pluralistic military environment.
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- Dr. Michael A. Milton (Autor:in), 2015, The Effects of Recent Social Policy Changes on Select U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Activities and Attitudes, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/418920
