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Paganism approved by Department of Defense religious code

The Kilted Heathen

Crow FreyjasmaðR
From the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense

The memorandum is dated from March of this year. Prior to this expansion, Pagan servicemen could have the symbols of their faith - a pentacle star or Mjolnir - on their tombstone. However with this change, they are now able to officially represent their faith on their dogtags and in part with military chaplains. This will also allow greater numbers of Pagan demographics to be known, as they are recognized by their religion, rather than "Other". The following Pagan faiths have been included in the listing of Military Faith Group Codes, effective March 31st, 2017:

Heathen [AH]
Troth [DA]
Dianic Wicca [DK]
Druid [DU]
Gardnerian Wicca [FD]
Shaman [FQ]
Seax Wicca [FV]
Ásatrú [FY]
Pagan [G3]
Wicca [YW]
Magick and Spiritualist [YY]
 

The Kilted Heathen

Crow FreyjasmaðR
Not that I could find in the list. For what I understand, the decision was made by what faith groups are currently represented in the Armed Forces. There may be insufficient number of Hellenists to warrant coverage at this time.
 

CogentPhilosopher

Philosophy Student
From the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense

The memorandum is dated from March of this year. Prior to this expansion, Pagan servicemen could have the symbols of their faith - a pentacle star or Mjolnir - on their tombstone. However with this change, they are now able to officially represent their faith on their dogtags and in part with military chaplains. This will also allow greater numbers of Pagan demographics to be known, as they are recognized by their religion, rather than "Other". The following Pagan faiths have been included in the listing of Military Faith Group Codes, effective March 31st, 2017:

Heathen [AH]
Troth [DA]
Dianic Wicca [DK]
Druid [DU]
Gardnerian Wicca [FD]
Shaman [FQ]
Seax Wicca [FV]
Ásatrú [FY]
Pagan [G3]
Wicca [YW]
Magick and Spiritualist [YY]

This is good news indeed.
 

The Emperor of Mankind

Currently the galaxy's spookiest paraplegic
From the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense

The memorandum is dated from March of this year. Prior to this expansion, Pagan servicemen could have the symbols of their faith - a pentacle star or Mjolnir - on their tombstone. However with this change, they are now able to officially represent their faith on their dogtags and in part with military chaplains. This will also allow greater numbers of Pagan demographics to be known, as they are recognized by their religion, rather than "Other". The following Pagan faiths have been included in the listing of Military Faith Group Codes, effective March 31st, 2017:

Heathen [AH]
Troth [DA]
Dianic Wicca [DK]
Druid [DU]
Gardnerian Wicca [FD]
Shaman [FQ]
Seax Wicca [FV]
Ásatrú [FY]
Pagan [G3]
Wicca [YW]
Magick and Spiritualist [YY]

****ing hell, Seax Wicca? That's an unusual one and no mistake. Why did that get billing and the likes of Hellenism Roman polytheism, I wonder? Not that I'm complaining - just wondering out loud.
 

Saint Frankenstein

Wanderer From Afar
Premium Member
Not that many Hellenist Pagans in the military, I think. I know there are a lot of Heathen/Ásatrúar, and I would imagine by proxy a lot of Saxon Wiccans.
What is a Saxon Wiccan? And I would not guess at all there's many Dianic Wiccans in the military, as they would seem to be a more peace-loving type. (Dianic Wicca just makes me think of Z. Budapest's radfem nonsense (I don't like her at all).)
 

VioletVortex

Well-Known Member
I see no reason why service men can't have whatever they want on their tombstones. I guess most people don't want their taxes paying for something they disagree with...
 

The Kilted Heathen

Crow FreyjasmaðR
It's more Military codes and regulations being different than civilian allowances and rights. I don't know if tax dollars pay for military graves, but the gravestones were a settled thing years ago. This covers holidays and religious restrictions/requirements.
 

Callisto

Hellenismos, BTW
Not that I could find in the list. For what I understand, the decision was made by what faith groups are currently represented in the Armed Forces. There may be insufficient number of Hellenists to warrant coverage at this time.

That's surprising since there are far more Hellenic polytheists than Dianic witches of which there are 2 primary traditions. The largest is characterized by extreme feminism and practiced solely by women. The other is a much smaller, regional tradition with too few numbers to have any members who are likely to be enlisted (as in if any are enlisted, they could be counted on one hand).
 

Callisto

Hellenismos, BTW
What is a Saxon Wiccan? And I would not guess at all there's many Dianic Wiccans in the military, as they would seem to be a more peace-loving type. (Dianic Wicca just makes me think of Z. Budapest's radfem nonsense (I don't like her at all).)

Seax Wica (one 'c') is a witchcraft tradition that was founded by Raymond Buckland in the 1970s. Buckland was originally a Traditional Wiccan (Gardnerian), he and his wife brought Wicca to the US after having been initiated in Gerald Gardner's coven. However, he parted ways with the tradition and developed any entirely different witchcraft (NOT a continuation of Wicca) which was inspired by his (often faulty) study of Saxon history and witchcraft.

Z Budapests' form of Dianic witchcraft is the one I referenced above, solely practiced by women and is known for radfem.
 
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