Congressman Mike Rogers sent a letter this week to Secretary of Defense Charles Hagel urging the Department of Defense to implement sections of the National Defense Authorization Act that protect the religious freedom of service members. This letter comes after recent reports the Department of Defense is considering policy changes that could make proselytizing an offense under the military justice system. 

The letter states, “I am writing you today to demand that the Pentagon implement the congressionally directed provisions under section 533 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that provide religious conscience protections for everyone serving our nation in uniform. I am deeply concerned that the current civilian leadership of the Department of Defense might not be fully committed to religious freedom within the military.” 

“Our men and women in uniform have a long and proud history of defending our freedoms, but their freedoms cannot be sacrificed along the way,” Rogers said. “Our troops should have the right to worship and speak of their faith freely.”

Rogers serves as Chairman of the Strategic Forces subcommittee on the Armed Services Committee and is a senior member of the Homeland Security and Agriculture committees. 

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