Chaplains guard constitutional right to religious freedom Published Oct. 21, 2009 By Susan Griggs 81st Training Wing Public Affairs KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- Regardless of their personal religious beliefs, Air Force chaplains are charged with providing spiritual care to all members, their families and all authorized personnel in exercising their constitutional right to religious freedom. "It is Air Force policy that we'll accommodate free exercise of religion and other personal beliefs, as well as freedom of expression," Chaplain (Capt.) Charles Mallory remarked. "Those 'other personal beliefs' aren't just related to worship or religion -- it can be fellowships, services, holiday events, festivals or seasonal observances, as long as it relates to the practices of their faith." Chaplain Mallory said there's a process to ensure requests are legitimate, as well as a process to ensure the requests are followed through and honored. "We simply ask that the students come forward and make the requests," he stated. "Despite our best efforts, we don't have every single holy day, holiday, and observance memorized for every single faith group, so we rely on the member to come forward to ask for help with their accommodation request." "It all boils down to supporting the Constitution of the United States that allows for the free exercise of religion," Chaplain Mallory stated. "Whether it is to assist a Jewish Airman with receiving kosher meals in the dining facility or to aid an Islamic Airmen in working out an alternate physical training schedule with his or her military training leaders during Ramadan, the chaplains are here to help