Religion: A Missing Component of Professional Military Education PKSOI Paper | Page 16

specifically, if and where religion fits into military tactical, operational, and strategic thinking. My research
is guided by the following questions: Does Army
PME support development of religious literacy? What
is the proper role of religious education in PME? How
can religious literacy positively contribute to peace
and stability operations?
My intention is not to provide an exhaustive review of the role of religion in military thinking; rather,
it is to propose the need for military professionals to
develop a religious literacy that will allow leaders to
engage religious actors positively in peace and stability operations. Religious literacy should be integrated
into PME as a core competency. Important to point
out here is that religious literacy does not mean belief;
rather, it is the knowledge of others’ sacred beliefs and
how religion interacts with other dynamics of society
that allows for meaningful discussion and collaboration. Religious literacy can contribute to PSO by translating religious and secular beliefs and narratives in
such a way that all parties can engage in consensus
driven peacebuilding.
Throughout I discuss the enduring global presence
of religion, address religion as an aspect of military
tactical, operational, and strategic thinking, examine
the presence and depth of religion-centered instruction in PME, and lastly make recommendations for
expanding the study of religion in PME.
Conflict and Religion.
Writing in the March 2014 issue of the Association
of the United States Army News, General Ray Odierno, Chief of Staff of the Army, notes that military officers need to be developed faster than in the past, and

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