Religion: A Missing Component of Professional Military Education PKSOI Paper | Page 31

cannot be relegated to peripheral status. Arguably, no single dimension of human activity
has the potential for good and evil as religion
does. To ignore or marginalize its latent potential leaves a gaping hole in a military officer’s
professional education and preparedness for
dealing with an increasingly religious world.
• Designate a visiting scholar position for the study of
religion at the U.S. Army War College. This individual will research religion as part of the core
curriculum. As a rotating position, this will
work to ensure a connection between the AWC
and scholarship pursued at civilian institutions
of higher learning. It will also have the benefit
of continuing to renew the curriculum through
continuing research. This individual will also
teach in the core curriculum.
• Integrate religion as a dimension of analysis in
coursework. Considerations of religious factors
should be included in all coursework. Not an
appendage or afterthought, religion should be
addressed as co-equal in PSO. It should not be
addressed as an aspect of culture, writ large.
• Establish a permanent position at the Peacekeeping
and Stability Operations Institute for a scholar expert in the sub-field of religion as an aspect of
peacebuilding and stability.
In implementing these recommendations, curriculum developers should avoid the easy approach of
delegating all things religious to chaplains. Religious
literacy is a competency that cannot be delegated. Military leaders must demonstrate their understanding of
the other through their personal knowledge of others’
worldviews mediated through religion.

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