Three readers penned letters to the editor for the April 6 issue of Navy Times.
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ALLOW CHAPLAIN TO RETIRE
First, Capt. Jon Fahs, commanding officer of Navy Nuclear Power Training Center, declares Lt. Cmdr. Wes Modder, a Navy chaplain, "the best of the best!" Then, within months, Chaplain Modder is "intolerant and unable to function in the diverse and pluralistic environment" of his current assignment [ "Chaplain faces discharge after sailors say he's 'intolerant,'" March 23].
Short of engaging in activities contrary to his preaching and counseling activities, or a possible violation of the UCMJ, it boggles the mind that the chaplain could go from a 4.0 sailor to a 2.0 or worse in such a short time frame.
Because Chaplain Modder is endorsed by the Assemblies of God, I decided to go to the church's website to learn where he may be coming from in relation to the four main complaints cited in Fahs' detachment for cause letter. Under matters pertaining to sexual behavior, the website states, "The consistent ideal for sexual experience in the Bible is chastity for those outside a monogamous heterosexual marriage and fidelity for those inside such a marriage."
It seems he is giving counsel in keeping with the values stated on the church's site. Granted, it may be a little forthright, but most sailors seem to understand it. Often, the sensitivities of those "vulnerable" sailors seem to have been banged around a little. If you don't want Bible counsel, don't go to a Christian chaplain! I see it as not liking the counsel because it isn't what you wanted to hear.
Tough counsel from a Navy chaplain is nothing new. Many years ago, my wife and I went to a chaplain on Naval Submarine Base New London in Groton, Connecticut. Within a few minutes, he determined I was the problem. In no uncertain terms, he told me it was time to man up and take on my responsibilities as a husband and father!
I was more than a little ticked about the whole thing, but couldn't come up with any reason to doubt his counsel. As we approach our 60th wedding anniversary, I am most grateful.
All ships have a library of instruction manuals that detail how to run the various systems properly. When you go to Christian chaplains, expect them to use their instruction manual, the Holy Bible, during your counseling. Otherwise you are only getting another opinion.
Considering all of the court-martials listed in Navy Times relating to sexual incidents, and the sacking of COs, XOs and CMCs quite often for the same sort of activities, it appears there is need for more straight talk from the chaplains. An apostle of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons), is quoted as saying, "If we had more obedience, we'd have less need for tolerance."
I can only hope and pray that cooler heads will prevail and that Chaplain Modder will be allowed to retire. I've read about far greater transgressions than upsetting some folks who didn't want to face the facts as presented by the chaplain.
STCM (SS) Ken Caye (ret.)
Pleasant Grove, Utah
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ADAPT FITNESS TO SAILORS
Regarding recent stories on the Navy's plans to change fitness measures ["The CNP's full plate," March 16; "MCPON takes aim," March 23]. Here are my thoughts:
I am a two-time failure of the Navy body composition assessment. I never believed I could be "overweight," considering how much I work out — four to five times a week, with a mixture of weight lifting, high intensity interval training, various cardio exercises and sports.
In my 11 years in the Navy, I have been around sailors who have different body types and those who work out differently, because not every system works for everyone; we are human and we are all built differently, and as we grow older our bodies change. Yes, it is the sailor's responsibility to "keep in standards" year-round.
I have mixed feelings about a "random" BCA system. It could help sailors watch their weight and keep it off year-round, but it would also put more stress on individual sailors, especially when it comes to staying in the Navy while completing regular duties. Who wants to worry if they will make weight standards every week or two?
I, for one, do agree the "rope and choke" system needs a huge overhaul.
A person who is short (under 68 inches) with a skinny neck (under 15 inches) and a 37-inch waist, will probably not be in standards but could be in the best shape of his or her life at the age of 30, about half way through a 20-year career. In addition, sailors hanging on by a thread will do whatever they must to pass the next BCA, even if it means paying out of pocket for surgery, various forms of body wraps, starving themselves or dehydration sets.
Once the BCA is done, what do sailors do? They "reward" themselves and take a break until next time. Sad to say. but that is what happens.
I've seen sailors express how times have changed. I have seen sailors move toward weight training rather than the boring one-hour division PT consisting of pushups, situps and running. Some hire a a personal trainer or join outside gyms because they offer more, are more convenient or because they like the atmosphere of being around civilians.
Making the BCA stricter, or the PT test harder, is not going to fix the problem. Adapting to the sailor will, especially the way fitness is changing.
CTR1 Joshua Jackson
The Pentagon
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'I'M NOT DEAD YET'
I can sympathize with retired Army Command Sgt. Maj. Holsopple's story ["Vet declared dead, loses pay — but he's alive," March 9].
My discovery that I was dead came via a letter to the executor of my estate from Bank of America, informing him that they had shut off my charge card. As was later discovered, their action also impacted the joint bank account and safety deposit box that my wife and I share. Also, it had spread to my brokerage account due to broker affiliation with BoA.
After many discussions with the Social Security Administration, another bank, another investment company and DEERS, it became clear that the perpetrator was BoA. Apparently a mix-up occurred with another customer who had the same final four digits in his Social Security number. Their system then went into automatic. Ironically, I was fortunate to be dealing with a bank rather than multiple government agencies.
I did receive an unsigned form letter apologizing for "any inconvenience or upset." The final straw, though, was a late fee and interest charge incurred for the monthly bill, which was never sent during the period I was dead.
Capt. F. O'Beirne Jr. (ret.)
Mystic, Conn.
