Former Navy officer who trained with detachment of Iranian nationals early in their career praises MRFF’s efforts on behalf of Muslim service members: “Kudos for looking out for these individuals and their rights”
From: (name withheld)
Subject: Thank you
Date: January 9, 2025 at 12:53:25 AM MST
Having graduated from (college name withheld) in (year withheld) after receiving a NROTC scholarship, I was commissioned as an Ensign and reported to Pensacola in (year withheld) for Navy Flight Training.
At Naval Air Station (name withheld), which is where I went through the Basic Phase of my training, we had a detachment of Iranian nationals that were learning how to fly.
We (meaning myself and other Student Naval Aviators) got to ‘rub elbows’ with these individuals. And you wouldn’t you know it – they were just like us. They of course wanted to learn how to fly (at least some of them did), they loved to party and they loved to chase some tail.
Kudos for looking out for these individuals and their rights. Back in (year withheld), these Iranians were an International version of ‘brothers in arms’. And they were not addressed in any way that was defamatory. Too bad that is obviously not the case now (see below).
As it turns out, my neighbor across the street, grew up in Iran and served in their military. And wouldn’t you know it – he is a really great neighbor.
(name withheld)
In March 2011, Weinstein submitted a written testimony to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Human Rights for a hearing entitled “Protecting the Civil Rights of American Muslims”. He expounded on the varied complaints and injustices made by Muslim clients who have purportedly been subjected to pejoratives and racial slurs, such as “towel head“, “raghead“, or “camel jockey”, on a regular basis.[19] In December 2011, he resubmitted a written statement on the same subject. This statement went into more detail on the origins and effects of Islamophobia in the U.S. military.
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- March 12, 2025 | 1 comment
It’s not hard to figure out the writer’s timeline, pre 1978, due to the Islamic revolution that began in Iran during that same year beginning with the imposition of martial law in the summer of 1978. I know. I lived in Tehran during the kick off of the revolution, working with and teaching Iranian Air Force personnel operation of an American anti-aircraft system.
While I’m not a fan of any religion, I can tell you the theocratic government created in 1979 in Iran was, with certainty, a “be careful what you ask for” moment for the Iranian people. It was more a repudiation of the American puppetry of the Shah of Iran than it was a welcoming of a religious autocracy.
I was just in London and spoke to several Iranians who told me they (the people) WANT Trump to attack Iran! To rid them of their oppressive Government, 60% of the population there being under the age of 30.
The warning, regardless of religion, is that theocracies are repressive, our own history should guide us in that respect but here we are, Christian Nationalism here at home alive and well, although, with the rise of “nones” in our young folks, there’s hope! Getting closer to real truth all the time.
The religious movement in America (Christian), is a clear and present danger to democracy, decency, and moral values, the lesson learned should be, “be careful what you ask for – you just might get it!”
Things in motion tend to stay in motion as Newton said. Iran, four decades on, is a repressive theocracy counter to what the Iranian people want.
BTW, I’ve never met a more gracious people than Iranians! My best overseas tour was Iran and I’ve had many.
The MRFF supports Freedom of Religion, period, a Constitutional value and mandate. It’s the Christians in this country that do not as seen here in the hate mail posted from the MAGAT Right! ‘Careful what you ask for!’
Support the MRFF!