WHO DOES THIS KLINGENSCHMITT THINK HE IS?

In an article on WVEC.COM (http://www.wvec.com/news/military/stories/wvec_military_011207_klingenschmitt.31ca068a.html), Gordon Klingenschmitt seems to be elevating himself to messianic or, at least, saintly status because of his misconduct and subsequent conviction at a Special Court Martial. WVEC.COM quotes GK:

"This fight cost me everything. My career is over, my family is now homeless, we've lost a million dollar pension, but Congress agreed with me and rescinded the Navy policy, so chaplains are free again to pray in Jesus name. My sacrifice purchased their freedom. My conscience is clear, the fight was worth it, and I'd do it all again. Because of my sacrifice other chaplains will have the liberty I was denied. Praise be to God, in Jesus name."

GK's assertion that his "sacrifice" purchased my freedom as a Navy chaplain to pray in Jesus' Name is both absurd and extremely disturbing. It also borders on blasphemy. In my eleven years as an Active Duty Navy chaplain, I have freely prayed in Jesus' Name and in the Trinitarian formula (In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit) without incident or complaint. I was freely praying this way in public before and during GK's tenure in the Navy. GK did not purchase my freedom to freely pray. If anything, GK hindered more chaplains from freely praying than he helped. In my opinion, the Department of the Navy never would have issued the now rescinded restrictions in SECNAVINST 1730.7C had it not been for GK's unbecoming anctics.

No, GK did not purchase my freedom through his "sacrifice." What he did was not a sacrifice--it was MISCONDUCT. Quoting a popular Marine Corps expression, GK chose the wrong foxhole to die in. It was his choice. The tragedy is that it was unnecessary. It is not anyone's fault, but his own, that GK picked the wrong fight in which to engage. We had no problems in the Chaplain Corps concerning praying "In Jesus' Name" before GK came in. Nor, did we have any problems doing so during his time in the Navy. Simply put, GK "sacrificed" his Navy career for absolutely nothing. Personally, I find it offensive that GK has chosen to cloak his misconduct in language that should be reserved for our Savior. Jesus Christ's true sacrifice puchased my Freedom--NOT Klingenschmitt's misconduct! GK's "sacrifice" did not purchase me anything. The use of redemptive language like this should be reserved for Jesus and His true sacrifice, not for the misconduct of a chaplain who seemed intent on making his career a train wreck.

Another thing that strikes me as seriously lacking honor, is GK's complaint to WVEC that he is now "homeless." How does a man who is getting a $99,000 severance package have the gall to claim that he is going to be homeless? That is beyond me. How can a man who is going to get paid 18.5 months of his salary as severance pay honestly claim homelessness? To me, that seems to be somewhat less than honest. I agree with CDR Stephanus and CDR Q, GK is very fortunate that he did not get what he really deserved. He is very fortunate that his Command is treating him with much more kindness than he showed to them.

Originally posted by USMC Padre (used by permission)