Comments on: How a US soldier finally got his Pastafarian dogtags http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:42:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Meredith L Patterson http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1423020 Meredith L Patterson Mon, 14 May 2012 00:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1423020 Ah, and a New York Times article on a chaplain blowing the whistle on religious proselytizing at the Air Force academy in 2005: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/12/education/12academy.html?_r=1&ei=5088&en=a9418a4a5ef29e1e&ex=1273550400&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=all Ah, and a New York Times article on a chaplain blowing the whistle on religious proselytizing at the Air Force academy in 2005: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/12/education/12academy.html?_r=1&ei=5088&en=a9418a4a5ef29e1e&ex=1273550400&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=all

]]> By: Jim Jones http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1423018 Jim Jones Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1423018  we dont need money for the holy noodles are 89c a lb :)  we dont need money for the holy noodles are 89c a lb :)

]]> By: Meredith L Patterson http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1423017 Meredith L Patterson Sun, 13 May 2012 23:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1423017 US Army officer training in 2005 had a hell of a lot of encouragement to participate in Christian-oriented activities (Officers' Christian Fellowship and so on) that had some weird sort of up-and-coming old-boys'-club feel to it -- like they were trying to recruit officer candidates and young officers into a rah-rah-patriotic, conservative-Christian influence network.  Apparently they've stepped things up since then: http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/article483665.ece US Army officer training in 2005 had a hell of a lot of encouragement to participate in Christian-oriented activities (Officers’ Christian Fellowship and so on) that had some weird sort of up-and-coming old-boys’-club feel to it — like they were trying to recruit officer candidates and young officers into a rah-rah-patriotic, conservative-Christian influence network. 

Apparently they’ve stepped things up since then: http://www.tampabay.com/opinion/columns/article483665.ece

]]> By: Bryan J. Maloney http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1423014 Bryan J. Maloney Sun, 13 May 2012 23:39:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1423014 Maybe the recruiter was a good Catholic boy and understood that Baptist is so close to atheist as to not matter. Maybe the recruiter was a good Catholic boy and understood that Baptist is so close to atheist as to not matter.

]]> By: Richard A. Tucker http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1422976 Richard A. Tucker Sun, 13 May 2012 21:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1422976 I'm sure I'm not alone in imagining the drill Sgt. was or looked like Lee Ermy. I’m sure I’m not alone in imagining the drill Sgt. was or looked like Lee Ermy.

]]> By: Richard A. Tucker http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1422977 Richard A. Tucker Sun, 13 May 2012 21:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1422977 I'm sure I'm not alone in imagining the drill Sgt. was or looked like Lee Ermy. I’m sure I’m not alone in imagining the drill Sgt. was or looked like Lee Ermy.

]]> By: R-Cynic http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1422964 R-Cynic Sun, 13 May 2012 21:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1422964 Church of the FSM has been gaining strength ever since Mrs. Garrison converted ;-p Church of the FSM has been gaining strength ever since Mrs. Garrison converted ;-p

]]> By: Sisqo http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1422956 Sisqo Sun, 13 May 2012 20:52:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1422956 I was in the Navy during the 1990s and I wasn't an atheist yet, but I didn't want to be affiliated with any denominations, so my tags said none on them. I was in the Navy during the 1990s and I wasn’t an atheist yet, but I didn’t want to be affiliated with any denominations, so my tags said none on them.

]]> By: Rev-Edwin W North http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1422943 Rev-Edwin W North Sun, 13 May 2012 19:28:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1422943 FSM for the win. Soldier, you have some massive meat balls son FSM for the win. Soldier, you have some massive meat balls son

]]> By: Diana Bubar http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1422896 Diana Bubar Sun, 13 May 2012 15:13:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1422896 I remember this:   YOU WILL DRINK SIX NON CARBONATED NON CAFFEINATED BEVERAGES WITH EACH AND EVERY MEAL!  IN ADDITION, YOU WILL ALSO DRINK 8 to 10 CANTEENS OF WATER, NOT TO EXCEED 12 IN A TWENTY FOUR HOUR PERIOD!  I also remember the powerade that we were required to drink , tasted like 3 parts baking soda, 1 part water, 2 drops of food colouring, and a hint of dirty sock. The six drinks with each meal was always 3 water, 3 powerade. And they were sort of smaller glasses, I remember. Ugh nasty stuff! I remember this:   YOU WILL DRINK SIX NON CARBONATED NON CAFFEINATED BEVERAGES WITH EACH AND EVERY MEAL!  IN ADDITION, YOU WILL ALSO DRINK 8 to 10 CANTEENS OF WATER, NOT TO EXCEED 12 IN A TWENTY FOUR HOUR PERIOD! 

I also remember the powerade that we were required to drink , tasted like 3 parts baking soda, 1 part water, 2 drops of food colouring, and a hint of dirty sock.

The six drinks with each meal was always 3 water, 3 powerade. And they were sort of smaller glasses, I remember. Ugh nasty stuff!

]]> By: Sparg http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1421573 Sparg Fri, 11 May 2012 13:51:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1421573 Well, we had shit-work, too, like filling sandbags and building temp levees in stinky swampy parts of Louisiana. Well, we had shit-work, too, like filling sandbags and building temp levees in stinky swampy parts of Louisiana.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1421330 Antinous / Moderator Fri, 11 May 2012 06:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1421330 I can think of a few other things. I can think of a few other things.

]]> By: Bear Philippe http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1421323 Bear Philippe Fri, 11 May 2012 06:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1421323  There is literally nothing I'd rather pay soldiers to do.  There is literally nothing I’d rather pay soldiers to do.

]]> By: David K. Jones http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1421243 David K. Jones Fri, 11 May 2012 05:29:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1421243 Oh sweet fuck, this is what I'm taking with me to Basic in September. Time to tell my recruiter to fix my paperwork. I'm not an Atheist, I'm a Pastafarian!  Oh sweet fuck, this is what I’m taking with me to Basic in September. Time to tell my recruiter to fix my paperwork. I’m not an Atheist, I’m a Pastafarian! 

]]> By: Mal Osborne http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1421226 Mal Osborne Fri, 11 May 2012 05:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1421226 Maybe "Baptist" was next in alphabetical order? Maybe “Baptist” was next in alphabetical order?

]]> By: MichaelZWilliamson http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1421192 MichaelZWilliamson Fri, 11 May 2012 04:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1421192  I am informed by two local Marines that their DIs did not swear, ever.  My wife's Drills did not swear, ever.  I would not question that your experience was different.  These things come and go, and vary by location.  In 1985, they swore like punctuation.  One of the past CO's of Ft Jackson would actually hide in the bushes to try to catch them swearing.  It made the papers.  I won't hijack the thread with my opinion on that. Given that it's post FSM, and the writeup, I estimate the story is exaggerated slightly for effect.  It's certainly possible.  It's also possible it's entirely imagined. But the important thing is it's believable and a good story.  I am informed by two local Marines that their DIs did not swear, ever.  My wife’s Drills did not swear, ever.  I would not question that your experience was different.  These things come and go, and vary by location.  In 1985, they swore like punctuation.  One of the past CO’s of Ft Jackson would actually hide in the bushes to try to catch them swearing.  It made the papers.  I won’t hijack the thread with my opinion on that.

Given that it’s post FSM, and the writeup, I estimate the story is exaggerated slightly for effect.  It’s certainly possible.  It’s also possible it’s entirely imagined.

But the important thing is it’s believable and a good story.

]]> By: Jeremy http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1421185 Jeremy Fri, 11 May 2012 04:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1421185  Sometimes morning chow was before PT sometimes after (usually if it was before, it was because it was a hand-to-hand class day).  If you eat before the PT remember: DON'T DRINK MILK!!!  Sometimes morning chow was before PT sometimes after (usually if it was before, it was because it was a hand-to-hand class day).  If you eat before the PT remember: DON’T DRINK MILK!!!

]]> By: Jeremy http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1421181 Jeremy Fri, 11 May 2012 04:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1421181 Yeah I know that's the "official" word but even the officers didn't care at Parris Island.  What got me is you saying this is obviously impossible because the rules say they aren't supposed to swear.  Stuff like that usually points to "armchair veteran" whose knowledge of the military comes from the books and official rules and hasn't actually seen what it's really like. Now that I see you're old dog military I guess you just haven't kept up as much. It's not as "caring and sharing" as you probably fear. The DIs (or Drill Sergeants in this case) look at the on-high Generals rules and do what they always did. Yeah I know that’s the “official” word but even the officers didn’t care at Parris Island.  What got me is you saying this is obviously impossible because the rules say they aren’t supposed to swear.  Stuff like that usually points to “armchair veteran” whose knowledge of the military comes from the books and official rules and hasn’t actually seen what it’s really like. Now that I see you’re old dog military I guess you just haven’t kept up as much. It’s not as “caring and sharing” as you probably fear. The DIs (or Drill Sergeants in this case) look at the on-high Generals rules and do what they always did.

]]> By: Jeremy http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1421174 Jeremy Fri, 11 May 2012 04:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1421174  I dunno this is a bit dubious to me.  I was in the Corps starting the end of 1999 and there were atheists/agnostics there.  I don't think it necessarily said atheist on their dog tag but I saw plenty with "None" on the religion line.  This seems a little attention-grabbing because honestly the military is NOT very religious.  Probably less so than civilian life by a long shot.  There's a lot of personally spiritual people but no one I ever met seemed to care if you were Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, atheist, Jewish etc (honestly the only one I could see coming up is Muslim).  I don't think anyone even asked me.  I dunno this is a bit dubious to me.  I was in the Corps starting the end of 1999 and there were atheists/agnostics there.  I don’t think it necessarily said atheist on their dog tag but I saw plenty with “None” on the religion line.  This seems a little attention-grabbing because honestly the military is NOT very religious.  Probably less so than civilian life by a long shot.  There’s a lot of personally spiritual people but no one I ever met seemed to care if you were Catholic, Protestant, Buddhist, atheist, Jewish etc (honestly the only one I could see coming up is Muslim).  I don’t think anyone even asked me.

]]> By: MichaelZWilliamson http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1421175 MichaelZWilliamson Fri, 11 May 2012 04:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1421175  That's officially a military wide thing and has been since about 1990.  We old timers would snicker about it. It may not be enforced some places, but it is official and they can be disciplined for it.  The Army is pretty gung ho about it (sorry for the mixed phrasing). Because, you know, those insurgents are never going to beat, insult or swear at a troop they take captive. Officially it's for "professional image."  That’s officially a military wide thing and has been since about 1990.  We old timers would snicker about it.

It may not be enforced some places, but it is official and they can be disciplined for it.  The Army is pretty gung ho about it (sorry for the mixed phrasing).

Because, you know, those insurgents are never going to beat, insult or swear at a troop they take captive.

Officially it’s for “professional image.”

]]> By: Jeremy http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1421168 Jeremy Fri, 11 May 2012 04:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1421168  Is that an Army thing because in the Marines they can and will use every curse word in the book.  Then again, you wouldn't even be having a discussion about anything with your DI like this in the Marines because you'd hear "get to the quarterdeck!" the moment you moved your eyes or opened your mouth.  Is that an Army thing because in the Marines they can and will use every curse word in the book.  Then again, you wouldn’t even be having a discussion about anything with your DI like this in the Marines because you’d hear “get to the quarterdeck!” the moment you moved your eyes or opened your mouth.

]]> By: wolfsdottir http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1421062 wolfsdottir Fri, 11 May 2012 00:56:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1421062 Actually, as I understand it, "athiest" was not an option, and the recruiter was Baptist, so chose to put his own religious preference... (if I remember what I read elsewhere correctly)... Actually, as I understand it, “athiest” was not an option, and the recruiter was Baptist, so chose to put his own religious preference… (if I remember what I read elsewhere correctly)…

]]> By: Pam Smith http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1420610 Pam Smith Thu, 10 May 2012 18:23:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1420610 LOL A DRILL Sergeant smiled? WOW!!! Did he hurt himself??? LOL A DRILL Sergeant smiled? WOW!!! Did he hurt himself???

]]> By: MichaelZWilliamson http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1420464 MichaelZWilliamson Thu, 10 May 2012 17:02:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1420464 Drills have been prohibited from profanity for almost two decades, and can and are busted for it. At the moment it was mentioned as a religious text, he would have immediately backed off, in case of complaint.  They are schooled very carefully in this. It is, however, entirely possible he asked to see, understood the ramifications, and was amused. Some troops make a habit of messing with the system.  If you ask the Chaplain for a Zoroastrian text, he will make every effort to find it, but it's cruel to do so if you don't really mean to study it. Drills have been prohibited from profanity for almost two decades, and can and are busted for it.

At the moment it was mentioned as a religious text, he would have immediately backed off, in case of complaint.  They are schooled very carefully in this.

It is, however, entirely possible he asked to see, understood the ramifications, and was amused.

Some troops make a habit of messing with the system.  If you ask the Chaplain for a Zoroastrian text, he will make every effort to find it, but it’s cruel to do so if you don’t really mean to study it.

]]> By: Raul Colon http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1420348 Raul Colon Thu, 10 May 2012 15:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1420348 As a former military instructor myself getting a Drill Sergeant to laugh or smile is not an easy thing but with something like that it would be inevitable.  As a former military instructor myself getting a Drill Sergeant to laugh or smile is not an easy thing but with something like that it would be inevitable. 

]]> By: Lon Erickson http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1420343 Lon Erickson Thu, 10 May 2012 15:40:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1420343 However, he wasn't the first. The first was a fellow in Austria a few years ago, insisted on wearing his Pastafarian hat, and eventually a photo was taken and placed on his driver's licence.  Coincidentally, this is not a joke, it is an actual "religion" (note the quotes) which profusely asks you not to send money. A religion that refuses money?  However, he wasn’t the first. The first was a fellow in Austria a few years ago, insisted on wearing his Pastafarian hat, and eventually a photo was taken and placed on his driver’s licence. 

Coincidentally, this is not a joke, it is an actual “religion” (note the quotes) which profusely asks you not to send money.
A religion that refuses money? 

]]> By: Sparg http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1420268 Sparg Thu, 10 May 2012 14:24:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1420268  We were usually doing PT (Physical Training) at 0600 in basic.  I actually have some of the training schedules from basic, but I ain't digging for them at the moment.  Breakfast usually around 0730-0800.  We were usually doing PT (Physical Training) at 0600 in basic.  I actually have some of the training schedules from basic, but I ain’t digging for them at the moment.  Breakfast usually around 0730-0800.

]]> By: TJ Patane http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1419953 TJ Patane Thu, 10 May 2012 05:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1419953  i honestly dont believe this. you would already be eating chow or in formation marching your way to chow by 0600, and even if it was at 0600, you would not be in the barracks regardless.  i honestly dont believe this. you would already be eating chow or in formation marching your way to chow by 0600, and even if it was at 0600, you would not be in the barracks regardless.

]]> By: That_Anonymous_Coward http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1419895 That_Anonymous_Coward Thu, 10 May 2012 04:38:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1419895 I think it might have gained popularity in the barracks due to the strippers and beer volcano. I think it might have gained popularity in the barracks due to the strippers and beer volcano.

]]> By: Kat Overfedandunderworked Powe http://boingboing.net/2012/05/09/how-a-us-soldier-finally-got-h.html#comment-1419838 Kat Overfedandunderworked Powe Thu, 10 May 2012 02:53:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=159565#comment-1419838 I'm laughing so hard right now... This guy is an American hero. I’m laughing so hard right now… This guy is an American hero.

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