I certainly respect everyone's views on this issue. Being old and grumpy... I, of course, have my own opinion.
The young man took the oath, as written, when he first enlisted. Now, as he wants to re-enlist, he expects the words of the oath to be changed to fit his religious view. The oath he was sworn to was okay with him up until time to re-enlist. If he did have monumental changes in religion, why didn't he bring this up as that idealogy changed?
Service in our military is volunteer. No one is required to serve. When you volunteer, there may well be any number of things you need to do to keep your brothers in arms and yourself alive. If you aren't ready to make certain sacrifices to do so, you need to find another occupation. The young man has the freedom and liberty to worship... or not worship... however he deems proper. You have benefitted from the experience and training gained through your first enlistment. Take that and find employment outside the military and excel. Don't ask the oath sworn to by hundreds of thousands of others, who take the oath seriously as part of their commitment to duty, be changed to fit your religous ideals.
I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
When does someone say thy do not agree with the 10th Amendment so want the phrase "defend the Constitution" stricken from their oath? When does someone say they have close ties with a specific foreign nation and want "all enemies, foreign and domestic" stricken. If we allow one to manipulate the oath to their own idealogy, where do we draw the line? Take the oath, as is, or go find work elsewhere.
