Chaplain’s perspective on CMSgts Colón López, Bass, and Towberman’s Coffee Time today…

I’m speechless. Utterly speechless…

You have been serving for nearly 30 years and you don’t even acknowledge the importance of religious accommodations? Why did all 3 of you raise your right hand to defend the Constitution, if you clearly have no intentions of honoring it? Just because we are serving in the military, does not mean our rights are gone—in fact, the complete opposite. We fight to protect and guard those rights.

I love the Air Force and do my best to give people the benefit of the doubt, but you, CMSgt CZ, saying that people should give up their religious traditions/observance for the betterment of others is despicable (Side note—Notice Chief Bass and Chief Towberman nodding their heads in agreement the entire time). Are you wishing people do not live out their true selves? Want them to hide a very sincere part of their being because you think it’s a “fashion statement”? Get outta here.

Chief CZ said, “I was opposed to the religious accommodation during SAFMR because of this uniform. What does [uni] mean? ‘ONE’ We are all in unison and we have to lay aside our personality (wants) for the betterment of the team.” Isn’t your entire department pushing HEAVY for diversity & inclusion currently? How is that whole beard thing working with the strategic vision (aka golden bullet) you are chasing? You celebrate a Sikh being able to wear religious headgear as a win, but think a beard for someone who sincerely seeks it is a joke? Wow..

You think most people want beards for fashion? Have you ever talked to any E-2 - E-7 lately? They don’t care about fashion…most of their concerns in no way stem from that.

I could go on…but please my AF brothers and sisters. Always be true to yourself and your calling. Don’t listen to this nonsense that is “leadership”.