Hello,

I’ve got the same question as everyone else: How difficult is it to stay Jewish in the army?

I’m a religious kid considering enlisting (most likely 68W healthcare professional), but it’s hard to get answers from recruiters about this kind of thing. Since I intend to avoid OCS, it shouldn’t be TOO much of a problem, right? BCS seems like the hardest time for a Jew, and then AIT.

My main concern is kosher, I can go for a while without eating much but I’d rather not ahve to do that, of course. How good are they about providing kosher MREs? Would I be able to have MREs shipped from home?

Shabbos is also a concern, but as there’s a risk to human life involved I understand that it can (and should) be broken if necessary. (e.g. if I’m in a situation where I need to fire a weapon, that’s most likely pikuach nefesh and therefor justified). And as a 68W, most things that I would have to break Shabbos for would probably have to do with saving human life anyway, right?

I understand about davening and tefillin, and I’m pretty sure I could manage. What about a kippa - would I at least be able to wear a hat/helmet at all times? It doesn’t necessarily have to be a kippa, but I would like to keep my head covered as much as possible.

I want to be able to help my country and it’s soldiers, but if it means giving up Judaism I don’t think I can do it. I’m pretty flexible about most issues, but for some things (mainly Kosher), I’m not. Can anyone advise me on this?

How do you feel about exercises on shabbat? That is, not actually saving anyone’s life, but training to save someone’s life?

As the Jewish Prime vendor for the military, we manufacture Kippot in all uniform fabrics, and are sending them out all over the world, so they are allowed. 

As far as MREs, they are provided for by My Own Meals and have Glatt OU-KAJ certification.  You have to discuss this with your supply command or chaplain.

There are lots of Jewish items available, the most recent addition being the Kosher for Passover Seder Kit and ACU Yarmulke.  Some are listed here:
http://warfighter.dla.mil/special/mig49/items/jewish_items1.jsp

Dee
Jewish Prime Vendor

Nettie - 27 January 2008 05:51 PM

How do you feel about exercises on shabbat? That is, not actually saving anyone’s life, but training to save someone’s life?

I think that would be OK, as most things can be done with a shinui (alternate method). I would try to do as little as possible on Saturdays during training, but if it’s unavoidable, then I would have to decide on a case-by-case basis. Doesn’t AIT have weekends off anyway? (I thought it did, but I’ve been hearing conflicting things about it...)

Dee, thanks for the info, I’ll definitely look into that.