In an email thanking MRFF, a DoD mental health professional writes: “Patients are afraid to seek care due to the fear that disclosing dissent even in the medical setting will lead to a report to their command.”

From: (MRFF DoD Client’s E-mail address Withheld)
Subject: Official emails for Christian Prayer Service at Pentagon (all service distro)
Date: March 16, 2026 at 5:54:34 PM MDT
To: Michael L Weinstein <[email protected]>, Mikey Weinstein <[email protected]>

Good afternoon,

Thank you for your quick response.  It is important that people understand not just what is happening, but also that there is an organization that can help to advocate and lean in to resist this abuse.  You articulated experiences others have shared that are very similar to mine – but as a mental health professional on active duty, I have been limited in my ability to speak out. The weight of the disclosures and now recent accounts of religious zealotry have caused an increase in discussion among colleagues and clients. Speaking with you and the mission of your organization, I feel comfortable to share additional context and concerns, as I feel it may resonate with others to help empower them to come forward as well. 

Service members are afraid to stand up in dissent, because to be different now makes you a target and our leaders are not following the rules.  We are conditioned to know the rules of engagement, the standards we are held to, and the expectations for professionalism, but these are no longer being applied fairly with some egregious infractions overlooked, while others feel like they are under a microscope. Having been in uniform for more than 20 years, I have never operated under these sorts of conditions – where I worry about my career, as well as my safety, and reprisal for advocating for others. 

I work in a privileged field, because of my ability to keep confidence, but also in that it is a privilege to be trusted with the care of others.  Patients are afraid to seek care due to the fear that disclosing dissent even in the medical setting will lead to a report to their command. The mental toll I have seen on seasoned soldiers, combat veterans, senior leaders who are suffering with significant moral injury and real, validated fear that their own government will punish them for existing, is terrifying. This is not an irrational or inappropriate response – this is a credible threat as they watched generals and admirals in their own fields fired for not compromising their values. 

The military creates a vulnerable population – because of a power imbalance that prevents those being mistreated from speaking out.  Junior service members are by default “less credible,” despite being more numerous, and often choose to suffer and leave because the barrier to justice feels insurmountable. The military also indoctrinates service members on service before self, sacrifice, being a part of something greater than themselves, which creates dissonance when they realize that the thing they are a part of is not serving the people’s greater good and is being wielded as an evangelical tool for abuse. 

Punishing prominent leaders for speaking out is chilling and limits how much those in need will ask for help.  I am afraid that the current climate is going to lead to more suicides by isolating and othering service members who already feel alone. I already see the signs now in my clinical setting, and yet I have no ability to change things on a population level within the constraints put on me.

There needs to be awareness that this is happening, that service members are suffering but fear the consequences of being honest.  If it helps one person to know that they are not alone, my words here will have been worthwhile.

Thank you again for your continued advocacy,

(All ID information for MRFF DoD Client withheld)