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An interesting press release from the USAF Academy last month
Academy launches religious respect training programSounds like they had no idea what was coming.By Butch Wehry
Academy Spirit Editor
The Air Force Academy has launched a religious respect training program called Respecting the Spiritual Values of all People, or RSVP. The training focuses on educating cadets, faculty members and base employees on the importance of respecting the spiritual beliefs of a diverse force.
Capt.Melinda Morton, an Academy chaplain, said officials expected and are receiving comments reflecting the personal nature and broad dynamics of the training discussions.
"People come to this topic from their own experience and perspective - they bring to the interaction important questions and concerns from their own background," the chaplain said. "As facilitators we recognize that this is a difficult topic. We are striving to enable participants to engage in a manner which is personally meaningful and appropriate to the needs of the institution. This is an academic institution and suggestions on improving training are forthcoming. Many participants desire more time to engage, and discuss in further detail, issues raised in the presentation."
Academy officials said nearly one-third of all cadets and nearly all active duty and civilian employees had received religious respect training as of April 22.
"Our Airmen's response to the program seems to be overwhelmingly positive," said Lt. Col. Vicki Rast, Chief, Academy Climate and Culture Division. "Many have expressed openly their views that it's great to be getting these issues out in the open to begin a dialogue about them. One participant even got back with me to say, 'I think you hit the nail on the head when you said that the only way we are going to fix this problem is by communicating. So let's communicate some more.'"
Another faculty member said the training, "proved very usefulyou actually gave us a lot to consider and it's all worthwhile."
Feedback from the training has helped leadership to modify training to maximize its effectiveness.
Cadet 2nd Class Alexander Johns, Cadet Squadron 34, said that he felt that the training was needed and that it helped him to gain a greater awareness for religious respect issues. He also felt that the issues that were brought up "were things I, and I would like to assume most people, learned growing up."
Colonel Rast said that the Academy recognizes that this isn't always the case. She said that during one training session a young officer said, "What's wrong with calling them the heathen flight?" in response to her discussion regarding the inappropriateness of such (intolerant) actions. "Thankfully, before I had to intervene, the other members of the session engaged him to explain the harmful nature of tolerating such marginalizing behaviors. We're definitely on the right path."
Colonel Rast said cadets, faculty and staff alike desire more interaction and discussion, and less lecture.
"They want us to provide 'tools'," the colonel said. "We need to connect the theory of religious respect to the practice of living our daily lives. We're incorporating their desires into future program revisions."
She said the Academy approaches the issue of spirituality from two perspectives: personal and professional.
"Future training will begin to address Airmen's professional responsibilities to ensure the Academy sustains a culture of respect for self and others so that all Airmen develop and perform to their highest potential," she said.
Previous entries:
God and Country
Chapel Doors Revisited
Locking the Chapel Doors
Are there Atheists in Cockpits?
