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AIR FORCE INSTRUCTION 1-1
Incorporating Change 1, 12 November 2014
Air Force Culture
AIR FORCE STANDARDS

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2.11. Free Exercise of Religion and Religious Accommodation. Every Airman is free to practice the religion of their choice or subscribe to no religious belief at all. You should confidently practice your own beliefs while respecting others whose viewpoints differ from your own. Every Airman also has the right to individual expressions of sincerely held beliefs, to include conscience, moral principles or religious beliefs, unless those expressions would have an adverse impact on military readiness, unit cohesion, good order, discipline, health and safety, or mission accomplishment. 2.11.1. Your right to practice your religious beliefs does not excuse you from complying with directives, instructions and lawful orders; however, you may request religious accommodation. Commanders and supervisors at all levels must fairly consider requests for religious accommodation. Airmen requesting accommodation will continue to comply with directives, instructions and lawful orders from which they are requesting accommodation unless and until the request is approved.

2.11.2. If it is necessary to deny free exercise of religion or an accommodation request, the decision must be based on the facts presented, must directly relate to the compelling government interest of military readiness, unit cohesion, good order, discipline, health and safety, or mission accomplishment, and must be by the least restrictive means necessary to avoid the cited adverse impact.

2.12. Balance of Free Exercise of Religion and Establishment Clause. Leaders at all levels must balance constitutional protections for their own free exercise of religion, including individual expressions of religious beliefs, and the constitutional prohibition against governmental establishment of religion. They must ensure their words and actions cannot reasonably be construed to be officially endorsing or disapproving of, or extending preferential treatment for any faith, belief, or absence of belief.


Parker v. Levy:  First time U.S. Supreme Court established limits of free political expression for serving United States armed forces members.

Dated: 1974

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MRFF client files federal lawsuit to get Bible removed from POW/MIA table display at Manchester, New Hampshire VA Medical Center.

Dated: 5/7/19

Click here to read complaint


MRFF files Amicus Curiae Brief at Supreme Court opposing Bladensburg Cross.

Dated: 1/30/19

Click here to read Amicus Curiae Brief


The American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) changes its defamatory anti-MRFF petitions after MRFF’s demand that they stop calling Mikey Weinstein and MRFF atheists.

Dated: 10/8/2018

Click here to read background and demand letters


MRFF Amicus Curiae Brief Part of Appeal Court Decision in Monifa Sterling Case

Dated: 8/10/17

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MRFF’s Official Position Supported by U.S. Supreme Court: SCOTUS Denies Review of Former Marine Corps Lt. Cpl. Monifa Sterling’s Case

Dated: 6/5/17

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MRFF Secures Legal Victory Over US Air Force Academy – Academy agrees to pay $25,000 to settle FOIA lawsuit.

Dated: 1/30/17

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MRFF’s Demand Letter Leads to Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Jerry Boykin Cancelling Fort Riley Prayer Breakfast

Dated: 6/1/16

Click here to read letter

Read media coverage on the incident:

http://militaryreligiousfreedom.org/press-releases/2016/MRFF_major_Media_6_3_16.html

http://militaryreligiousfreedom.org/press-releases/2016/Boykin_Media_Coverage_6_9_16.html


MRFF Demand Letter to Acting Secretary of the Army Patrick J. Murphy Re: Armed Green Beret Chaplains

Dated: 2/11/16

Click here to read letter


MRFF’s Attorneys respond to bigoted and vile anti-Semitic emails and misuse of MRFF imagery in hate mails sent by “R H,” so-called president and founder of fictitious “Anti-Commie & Socialist Foundation”

Dated: 2/5/16

Click here to read letter


MRFF Petition to File Amicus Curiae Brief in Monifa Sterling Case

Dated: 2/3/16

Click here to read Motion to File Amicus Curiae Brief

Click here to read Amicus Curiae Brief

Click here for more background on the Monifa Sterling Case


MRFF Demand Letter to Department of Defense General Counsel, Director, Standards of Conduct Office, Hon. Ruth S. Vetter, Esq. & Email from MRFF’s Counsel of Record 

Dated: 12/30/15

Click here to read letter


MRFF’s Attorneys respond to bigoted article published by Christian Examiner

Dated: 11/9/15

Click here to read letter 


MRFF Attorneys escalate battle for transparency, religious freedom in U.S. Military with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) complaint for injunctive relief and disclosure of documents

Dated: 11/5/15

Click here to read FOIA complaint 


MRFF’s Attorneys Demand Letter to Eugene Delgaudio, President of the “Public Advocate of the United States” in response to smearing of MRFF leader as “radical homosexual activist Weinstein”

Dated: 8/13/15

Click here to read demand letter


MRFF Amicus Curiae Brief In Support of Neither Party to deny petition in Marine’s court-martial case for religious postings

Dated: 6/23/15

Click here to read motion for leave to file Amicus Curiae Brief

Click here to read Amicus Curiae Brief


MRFF Attorneys Demand Letter to USAF Director Defense Logistics Agency to Investigate Hate Mail From DoD Contractor

Dated: 5/28/15

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MRFF Attorneys Demand Letter to CAPT W. Douglas Pfeifle, Rear Admiral Margaret G. Kibben, and Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert

Dated: 5/18/15

Click here to read letter to CAPT W. Douglas Pfeifle

Click here to read letter toRear Admiral Margaret G. Kibben

Click here to read letter toAdmiral Jonathan W. Greenert


MRFF & AHA join forces in court vs. unconstitutional Bladensburg “Peace Cross”

Dated: 5/7/15

Click here to read


MRFF Attorneys’ Demand Letter to Recruit Training Command (RTC) regarding discriminatory treatment of religious minorities

Dated: 4/28/15

Click here to read


MRFF Invited to Submit Testimony to U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Armed Services Military Personnel Subcommittee – “Religion in the United States Military: Balancing Personal Freedom with Professional Neutrality”

Dated: 11/19/14

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VIDEO – Mikey Before Congress – Religious Accommodations in the Armed Services


MRFF Senior Research Director exposes the Three Most Often Heard Lies From Members of Congress Citing the Family Research Council’s Propaganda Entitled: “A CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER: The Threat to Religious Liberty in the Military “

Dated: 6/9/14

Click here to read


MRFF attorneys express strong concern regarding defamatory Fox News distortions of Mikey as an “atheist”

Sent: 4/28/14:

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MRFF files FOIA requests to uncover Pentagon links with fundamentalist Christian lobbyists

Sent: 10/1/13:

Click here to learn more


MRFF Demands Immediate End to Unconstitutional Religious Tests in USMC & Denigration of Atheist/Freethinking Marines

Sent: 8/12/13:

Demand letter sent to Commandant of the United States Marine Corps, General James F. Amos


MRFF Founder and President demands investigation and punishment in regards to “Jew FAQ” reprehensible homophobic and misogynistic content distributed to cadets at U.S. Air Force Academy

Sent: 2/13/13:

Demand letter sent to USAF Chief of Staff Mark A. Welsh III


Can servicemembers alter or opt out of “So help me God” in the Oath of Enlistment?

Posted: 10/31/12:

Questions and Answers re: Reenlistment Oath, “So Help Me God”


MRFF Founder and President demands MRFF Superintendent cease and desist from administering religious tests

Sent: 8/23/12:

Demand letter sent to West Point Superintendent Lt. Gen. David Huntoon


MRFF Founder and President seeks FOIA clarification on relationship between Officers’ Christian Fellowship and leadership at United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD, and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA.

Sent: 7/13/12:
FOIA Request sent to Joint Base Lewis-McChord

FOIA Request sent to United States Naval Academy


MRFF Founder and President demands Glenn Beck’s “The Blaze” and The Christian Post correct their mischaracterizations of the foundation.

Sent: 6/13/12:
MIKEY WEINSTEIN’s LETTER TO GLENN BECK’s “THE BLAZE”

MIKEY WEINSTEIN’s LETTER TO THE CHRISTIAN POST


MRFF Attorney’s letter demanding FOX NEWS correct its improper, misleading, and inciting characterizations of MRFF mission and goals.

Sent: 6/12/12:
MRFF ATTORNEY’s LETTER


MRFF files FOIA request demanding that records, communications, documents, and material related to virulently anti-Muslim course at Joint Forces Staff College be immediately provided.

Sent: 5/10/12:
MRFF’s LETTER AND COVERAGE


MRFF demands immediate and comprehensive review of unconstitutional SOS program materials, review process; hollow and diversionary Air Force response provokes Freedom of Information Act request

Sent: 4/27/12:
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN MRFF LAW FIRM AND AIR FORCE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW DIRECTORATE


Air Force Squadron Officer school’s required curriculum decrees officers’ “spiritual responsibility” to attend chapel. MRFF exposes, demands end to practice via legal demand letter.

Sent: 3/28/12:
MRFF’s LETTER AND COVERAGE


MRFF, via law firm Mathis-Donheiser, demands an investigation of photographs showing U.S. Marine Corps Scout Snipers in Afghanistan displaying the insignia of the Nazi SS on a flag.

Sent: 2/9/12:
MRFF’s LETTER


MRFF outside counsel responds to Air Force offer of meeting between MRFF leadership and USAF’s Air Mobility Command Staff with request to meet with top Commanding Officers at Scott Air Force Base.

Sent: 12/22/11:
MRFF’s RESPONSE


MRFF attorneys address refusal to relocate Nativity scene and Menorah to chapel grounds; Demands made for Travis to come clean on constitutionality of actions and avoidance of discussing the issue.

Sent: 12/19/11:
MRFF’s LETTER TO SONES


MRFF sends letter via outside counsel to 60th Air Mobility Wing Commander Col. Dwight C. Sones demanding end to conspicuous violation of the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment at Travis Air Force Base

Sent: 12/9/11:
MRFF’s LETTER TO COL. SONES

Sent: 12/13/11:
MRFF’s FOLLOW-UP LETTER TO SONES


MRFF Submits Statement to Joint Congressional/Senatorial Hearings, Details Toxic Environment of anti-Muslim Bigotry Within Armed Forces

Sent: 12/7/11:
MRFF’s STATEMENT


MRFF Attorney’s Letter Warning Against Internet Posts Containing Misleading Insinuations, Falsehoods

SENT: 6/24/11:
MRFF’s TESTIMONY


MRFF Invited to Submit Testimony for Historic Senate Hearing on the Rights of Muslim Americans

SENT: 3/28/11:
MRFF’s TESTIMONY


Dallas Court of Appeals Affirms Decision in MRFF’s Favor

FILED: 3/18/11:
COURT OF APPEALS OPINION


MRFF and Five Client Co-Plaintiffs File Federal Lawsuit Seeking Injunction to Stop USAFA’s Unconstitutional National Prayer Luncheon

FILED: 1/31/11:
COMPLAINT
PLAINTIFFS’ MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION
PLAINTIFFS’ BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF MOTION FOR PRELIMINARY INJUNCTION


MRFF Demands the US Army Cease and Desist Unconstitutional Survey of Soldiers

SENT: 12/30/10:
MRFF’S LETTER TO MCHUGH


MRFF’s Freedom Of Information Act Request for Information Pertaining to the U.S. Army’s “Spiritual Fitness” Survey

SENT: 12/29/10:
MRFF’S FOIA REQUEST


MRFF’S Demand for Release of USAFA Climate Survey and Investigation into Religious Coercion

SENT: 9/28/10:
MRFF’S LETTER TO GATES


MRFF and VCS Demand a Stop to the Replacement of Mental Health Professionals with Chaplains

SENT: 8/9/10:
MRFF’S LETTER TO GATES


Demand Letter sent to TRIJICON by MRFF

SENT: 1/18/10:
MRFF’S LETTER TO TRIJICON


DoD’s Motion to Dismiss Granted

FILED: 1/7/10
LAWSUIT DISMISSAL MEMORANDUM AND ORDER PDF


Weinsteins File Lawsuit Against CFGC Head Ammerman

FILED: 9/23/09
LAWSUIT FILING PDF

 


MRFF Files Comprehensive and Decisive Response to DoD’s Motion to Dismiss

FILED: 8/3/09
MRFF’S RESPONSE FILING PDF


MRFF Participates in Amicus Brief for U.S. Supreme Court Case Salazar v. Buono

FILED: 8/3/09
AMICUS BRIEF FILING PDF


MRFF’s Letter to Defense Secretary Gates Demands the Immediate Revocation of CFGC’s Ecclesiastical Endorsing Authority

SENT: 6/24/09
MRFF’S DEMAND LETTER PDF


DOJ Responds to MRFF Lawsuit

FILED: 4/10/09
DOJ’S RESPONSE FILING PDF

CLICK HERE FOR RELATED ASSOCIATED PRESS ARTICLE


MRFF Amends Federal Lawsuit

FILED: 12/29/08
AMENDED LAWSUIT FILING PDF


MRFF Files Voluntary Dismissal for Jeremy Hall Lawsuit

FILED: 10/10/08
NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY DISMISSAL PDF


MRFF Files New Federal Lawsuit Against Defense Department

FILED: 9/25/08
COMPLAINT FOR INJUNCTIVE RELIEF PDF


U.S. Department of Justice Files 350 Page Motion to Dismiss MRFF’s Federal Lawsuit

MOTION TO DISMISS PDF

MEMO IN SUPPORT OF MOTION TO DISMISS PDF

EXHIBITS A THROUGH D PDF

EXHIBIT E PDF

EXHIBIT E (continued) PDF

EXHIBIT F PDF

EXHIBIT F (continued) PDF
EXHIBIT G PDF


Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) Launches Landmark Lawsuit against DoD Secretary Gates and Major Freddy Welborn

CLICK HERE TO READ PRESS RELEASE
CLICK HERE TO READ THE COURT FILING PDF


MRFF Files Federal Lawsuit Against Defense Department!

CLICK HERE TO READ ARTICLE AND LAWSUIT FILING


Archived PDF Documents

Letter from Gen Schwartz on Govt Neutrality Regarding Religion

MRFF Letters

MRFF Media Advisory

Senate Letter

House Letter

Harvard Study


Reports

Gamble Report

MRFF Compliance Report

 

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