Same grad, similar concern

Good evening, General Johnson —

It’s funny how things go sometimes. Until this week, I’d never expected to have cause to e-mail the Superintendent. Yet, here I am doing it a second time in as many days. You have a very full plate — please know that I only write again because I learned today of another issue that, in my view, demands input from concerned grads. Thank you for a second opportunity to share some thoughts with you.

Something that is not at all funny is an article in today’s Colorado Springs Independent. It describes an email from Allen Willoughby, Prep School head trainer and assistant AD, to Mikey Weinstein of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation. I have two specific concerns about what I read in the article.

First, Mr. Willoughby’s commentary is troubling in itself, as he asserts very emphatically that he intends to evangelize everyone with whom he works. His fervor is obvious and I have no doubt of the sincerity of his belief. But I struggle with the notion that he views his work environment, a US Air Force organization, as an appropriate venue for sharing his faith with ‘everyone’. That seems to fall well short of efforts to foster an environment of inclusion, mutual respect, tolerance and religious neutrality.

My second concern is even more significant — the response from the Academy. In my view, it entirely misses the most basic and vital issue. The key issue is not whether Mr. Willoughby is entitled to believe what he does, or whether he has certain rights and protections – he is, and he does. The key issue is that Mr. Willoughby is in a position of authority at the Prep School, and virtually everything he does and says in his work carries the weight of that authority.

I’d wager that there are more than a few preppies with a strong desire to play D1 sports at USAFA. If those young men and women are faced with a head trainer / assistant AD who wants to speak with them about his faith, how are they to respond? It’s simply not a level playing field.

I don’t see how a young person in that situation would not feel tremendous pressure to permit an unwanted intrusion. And I would assume that similar pressure would be felt by any staff member in the athletic department. Those folks are also not on equal ground with Mr Willoughby and can’t very easily deflect unwelcome input.

I strongly encourage you to look closely at this situation and similar scenarios. Select a course of action that protects those preppies, cadets and staff who desire to be free of unwanted religious pressure, even when it’s well-intentioned. They need you to cover their six.

Best Regards,
(name withheld)