Key Moments

A few key moments for pagans in the military:


July 29, 1775 George Washington establishes the chaplaincy corps to bring morality and ethics.
1997 Patrick McCollum becomes the first Wiccan chaplain recognized by the U.S. government (nonmilitary).
August 1997 High Priest David Oringderff helped set up the military's first Wiccan Open Circle at Ft Hood, Tx.
1998 No service members identify themselves as Wiccan, but 20% identify as "no religious preference" according to the July 1998 Army Religious Times. (Did they miss asking the 300 part of the Circle at Fort Hood in 1997? Or is that misleading information because "other" was the only option on the form?)
2001 Wicca is recognized as a religion and guidelines given to chaplains through the U.S. Army's: Religious Requirements and Practices of Certain Selected Groups: A Handbook for Chaplains.
October 1, 2001 In an online interview George W. Bush said, "I do not think witchcraft is a religion, and I do not think it is in any way appropriate for the U.S. military to promote it."
2004 4,000 members of the US Military declared themselves pagan.
2005 Circle Sanctuary started a support group called Warrior Circle for active duty Pagans and their families. As of August 2011, they've continued to maintain a military support altar and hold Warrior Blessing Rituals.
2006 Army chaplain Don Larsen applied to become the Army's first Wiccan chaplain. His request was denied, he was removed from the chaplaincy program and pulled out of Iraq.
April 23, 2007 The five pointed star is added to the list of approved emblems that can be put on military gravestones.
May 2011 Air Force Academy opens an outdoor worship space for cadets of earth-centered religions.