George Washington created the Army Chaplain Corps. He supported soldiers in their faith. Now, Christians in the military suffer more and more because of it.

Spotless Military Record

A 25-year veteran with a spotless record recently got a formal rebuke that may end his career. The Air Force punished Col. Michael Madrid for false claims made by a junior officer. A devout Christian, Madrid holds to the Christian belief that marriage is between a man and a woman. Madrid believes his faith led to the reprimand.

In 2013, Madrid mentored a junior officer, who was later court-martialed. Madrid was to testify in the court-martial, and during the trial, the Airman said that Madrid made negative comments about his homosexuality. Madrid believes he was trying to discredit his testimony.

He denied the claims, but the Air Force opened an investigation. In 2014, the officer in charge found no proof for the claims. In an official letter, the officer stated that he considered the matter closed.

When Madrid was promoted to Colonel June, 2016, Major General John E. McCoy began looking into the closed investigation. McCoy did not question witnesses or get new evidence. Yet he decided that Madrid had made the comments and then lied about it. He wrote Madrid a Letter of Admonishment in October, 2016. In effect, the letter will keep Madrid from promotions and could mean a demotion.

Demand Letter

First Liberty’s senior counsel Mike Berry represents Madrid. Berry sent the Air Force a demand letter Wednesday. He requested they remove the letter within Madrid’s service record.

Military personnel know that a formal rebuke on their record is a “career-ending action,” Berry said in a press conference Thursday. A military veteran himself, he noted that once the military closes an inquiry, that’s supposed to be the end of it.

McCoy’s actions were illegal, he said. In fact, the military is supposed to shred investigative documents after two years. It’s a mystery how McCoy “got his hands on a closed investigation in clear violation of due process.”

A “culture of political correctness” in the military has increased the targeting of Christians and people of other religions for their faith, Berry said. A successful demand will “send a clear message” to people in the military that targeting people for their faith is illegal.