A U.S. Army officer seeks to overturn a formal reprimand rooted in his criticism of transgender troops. He’s making the novel argument that he supported the military’s actual policy as it was, not as President Joe Biden wanted it to be.
The controversy began on Jan. 25, just five days after Biden took office when the Army Times reported that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin supported Biden’s decision to repeal the Trump administration’s 2017 ban on transgender troops serving.
On social media, Maj. Andrew Calvert, who is an Army chaplain at Fort Hood, Texas, denounced the idea.
According to the Army Times, Calvert wrote on Jan. 28, “How is rejecting reality (biology) not evidence that a person is mentally unfit (ill), and thus making that person unqualified to serve. There is little difference in this than over those who believe and argue for a ‘flat earth,’ despite the overwhelming evidence to the contrary.”
Calvert added, “The motivation is different, but the argument is the same. This person is a MedBoard for Mental Wellness waiting to happen. What a waste of military resources and funding!”
Calvert’s commanders in the new woke Army were not pleased.
Following an investigation, Lt. Gen. Robert White formally sanctioned Calvert last month.
“You are hereby reprimanded for violating military equal opportunity policy and violating Department of Defense policy on political activities,” White said in the memo punishing Calvert, according to the Army Times. “Your actions cast serious doubt upon your character and future as a leader in the Army.”
The reprimand would become a part of Calvert’s permanent record, and adversely affect his career.
That has been delayed, however, because he has appealed.
On Wednesday, the Army Times reported that Michael Berry, a lawyer with the First Liberty Institute, a conservative legal advocacy group that represents Calvert, argued the punishment violated Calvert’s religious beliefs.
Berry also told the Army Times that Calvert “expressed his support for DOD policy at the time, consistent with his sincerely held religious beliefs and the teachings of his denomination.”
“That is always religious exercise that is protected by the Constitution and federal law.”
Although Biden issued the order in late January, it did not take effect until March 31 after a two-month Pentagon review.
Berry further told the Army Times, “As a Christian chaplain, Chaplain Calvert is permitted to speak publicly on a matter of public concern to Christians. And the Constitution, federal law, and DoD regulations all prohibit the Army from discriminating against him when he does so.”
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Major Andrew Calvert
Bldg 1001
Fort Hood, Killeen, TX
76544
15 May 2021
Dear Maj. Calvert,
I am sorry to hear you have been suspended because of a post on your personal social media page. There is supposedly still freedom of speech in America, and you are, after all, the Chaplain, expressing your religious views. I am not a Christian, but I agree with you. The policies being adopted by our military and our government do not reflect the majority opinion of Americans. They reflect the opinions of a select group of progressive left politicians, who in many peoples’ opinions did not rightfully get into office. I support you and your efforts to get this resolved and to re-assume your post.
Another aspect the crazy government is not confronting is the fact that all men are SPIRITS not bodies, and spirits don’t have gender or race. So, what is the big deal about all this “self-identifying”, transgender weirdness? The person is not their body; all men can “self-identify” as human spirits.
According to the article I saw you are a decorated soldier with an exemplary record. You have provided for the spiritual needs of those under your care and should be allowed to do so.
Let me know if I can assist.
Sincerely,
Dorothy Lenz
An American citizen
Riverview, Florida
33578