Dominguez invites ministry team to academy

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WASHINGTON (AFPN) --  The Air Force invited the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces to visit the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colo., to provide an outside perspective on religious respect issues there, Air Force officials announced June 8.

Michael L. Dominguez, acting secretary of the Air Force, asked the team to provide their perspectives to Lt. Gen. Roger Brady, leader of an Air Force headquarters task force established to review policies affecting religious respect at the academy.

The task force, announced May 3, is assessing items ranging from Air Force policy and guidance on religious respect and tolerance to practices that enhance or detract from a climate that respects both the "free exercise of religion" and the "establishment clauses" of the First Amendment.

The task force's final report, which is expected to be released by the end of the month, will include NCMAF inputs.

NCMAF provides ecclesiastical endorsement for clergy who serve as chaplains in the armed forces. Its members, as endorsers for particular bodies, are the points of contact between the armed forces and more than 250 religious denominations and faith groups. Their common goals are to recruit, endorse and provide oversight for clergy who desire to serve as chaplains in any one of the branches of the armed forces.

"Respect for the beliefs of all individuals is taken very seriously across the Air Force, including at the Air Force Academy," General Brady said. "There is no room for disrespect of others' right to particular beliefs, nor is there room for minimizing the freedom of Airmen to exercise their religion. Within the Air Force and at the academy, we actively promote a respectful educational environment. This task force, and the invitation to NCMAF, is a reflection of these efforts to help to ensure a climate of respect, the foundation of our core values."