Army approves ‘humanist’ as religious preference

WASHINGTON — More than two years after first making his request, Army Maj. Ray Bradley can now be known as a humanist in the U.S. military.

Lt. Col. Sunset R. Belinsky, an Army spokeswoman, said April 22 that the “preference code for humanist” became effective April 12 for all members of the Army.

In practical terms, the change means that humanists could face fewer hurdles in trying to organize within the ranks; military brass would have better information to aid in planning a deceased soldier’s funeral; and it could lay the groundwork for eventually adding humanist chaplains.

According to a survey by the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, humanists make up 3.6 percent of the U.S. military.

Bradley, 47, who is stationed at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, was originally listed under the broad category of “no religious preference.”  

Chaplain (Col.) Kenneth Stice, director of operations for the Army’s Office of the Chief of Chaplains, said the religious preference information — though voluntary — helps the military know how best to respect the religious wishes of an injured or deceased soldier.