Dear [Rep/Sen] [First/Lastname]:

This petition requests that you amend the NDAA to let all military chaplains pray freely according to conscience.

The persecution of military chaplains who pray "in Jesus' name," is widespread and systematic. 65 Chaplains are suing the Navy, after being denied promotion because of their religious beliefs. Political correctness is censoring chaplains, allowing the government to dictate "which God" the chaplain may pray to, or what "illegal words" may not be uttered during prayer, when a chaplain gives an invocation. This clearly violates the Chaplains' First Amendment rights.

Former Navy Chaplain Klingenschmitt was wrongly court-martialed in 2006, (and later vindicated by Congress), when the military judge declared "worshipping in public" was not protected by federal law. He had written permission to wear his uniform during any act of "religious observance" but the judge ruled his prayer was not religious. The Chaplain lost his 16-year career and pension.

To resolve and prevent such religious discrimination in the future, please complete the work begun by the late Congressman Walter Jones, who wanted the following words inserted into the NDAA: **Amend the following sections of US Code Title 10 to include Section 3547 U.S. Army, Section 4337 U.S. Military Academy, Section 6031 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, Section 6972 U.S. Naval Academy, Section 8547 U.S. Air Force, Section 9337 U.S. Air Force Academy, to read as follows: "If called upon to lead a prayer outside of a religious service, a chaplain shall have the prerogative to close the prayer according to the traditions, expressions, and religious exercises of the endorsing faith group."

Please amend the NDAA to protect Chaplains' right to pray "in Jesus' name."