There are many aspects of pagan life which some people consider second nature. Being able to have a dedicated alter space, having days to conduct rituals, and even something as simple as procurement of supplies. For a pagan in the military many of these tasks can become difficult. Altar space is either limited or must be able to move on a moments’ notice. Rituals can only be done in a small amount of free time, and sometimes not even on the exact holiday. Also, depending on where a service member is stationed or deployed, supplies are limited or even restricted.
According to military regulations, all faiths, regardless of denomination or personal requirements, take a second standard to whatever mission is at hand. As well as the fact the military does not recognize Paganism itself as an official faith, only Wicca is recognized. There are no Pagan or Wiccan chaplains in the military, nor are any allowed. While these things are significant drawbacks, the service life is not as cold or withdrawn as one would think. Military Chaplains are charged to insure all members, no matter their religious preference, have the supplies and materials needed to properly practice their religions. While there are no Chaplains for Pagan groups, there is a special military position known as Distinctive Faith Group Leader (DFGL). This individual can be a service member, spouse, or someone near the installation who has the ability to lead services and procure supplies, and can even help in certain religious situations. These individuals must be ordained through a military-recognized organization, and take all required courses of the installation they are on. Even depending on the supplies that are restricted in an area, if proof can be given of need for these supplies then there can be ways found around the restriction.
There are many open circles on military installations all around the world from Fort Sill in Oklahoma to Camp Arifjan in Kuwait. These circles are not like covens, as they do not require consistent membership. They give a place for those to come, who wish to interact with other pagans, and where groups can come together to hold rituals or teach classes. most of all, they can provide a retreat away from the harsh structure and rigor of service life. The DFGL personnel who lead these circles can be a great resource for specific regulations covering practice guidelines, and for assistance in procuring supplies, even if their personal unit is having difficulty in understanding the ways of Pagan life.
Pagan military service is never a simple thing to endure. For those who wish to be a part of the military, it comes with the same understanding as are all other aspects of military life, from clothes, to hair, to physical conditioning standards. You are allowed these freedoms based on the mission itself, and there will be plenty of days when a person cannot get any freedom for personal time, let alone religious time. However, a rich new experience can be gathered from this, including the ability to travel and be introduced to new cultures and ideas, and a very diverse look at other peoples’ faiths across all of paganism.
Pagan Military Life
By Maltiok Shiroshi
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