MRFF Pressure Forces Air Force Academy to Grant Muslim Cadets Religious Accommodation for Training Event During Ramadan

Wednesday Afternoon, March 12, 2025

MRFF VICTORY!!!

MRFF’S PRESSURE AND MEDIA ATTENTION

FORCE AIR FORCE ACADEMY TO GRANT

MUSLIM CADETS RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION

FOR TRAINING EVENT DURING RAMADAN

As we previously reported, the U.S. Air Force Academy yet again displayed its blatant disregard for non-Christian cadets by not only scheduling its CULEX (culminating exercise), an extremely physically demanding multi-day training exercise, during Ramadan but then denying Muslim cadets any religious accommodation, forcing them to either choose between their religion and training or risk their health and safety by attempting to complete the training while fasting from both food and water.

But after pressure from MRFF — including taking the

story to Colorado Springs’ largest newspaper —

the Academy reversed course!

As one Muslim cadet wrote in an update to MRFF:

“Our concerns were not addressed until external pressure

was applied, leading to feelings of isolation and

frustration among Muslim cadets.”

The cadet detailed the Academy’s sudden reversal of its

religious accommodation denial after MRFF’s intervention:

“Following the press release by the Gazette and the MRFF, the head chaplain at USAFA provided more detailed guidance on how Muslim cadets could request accommodations. The chaplain advised that Muslim cadets should address their concerns directly to their squadron commanders to be excused from any physically demanding portions of CULEX. Additionally, the Muslim chaplain arranged for transportation each evening to ensure Muslim cadets could participate in the evening meal to break their fast and pray.”

(U.S. Air Force photo/Don Branum)

THE COLORADO SPRINGS GAZETTE

COVERS MRFF

Air Force Academy reverses decision,

allows Muslim cadets to forego

physical training during Ramadan

By: Mary Shinn

Tuesday, March 11, 2025

Article excerpts (emphasis added by MRFF):

The Air Force Academy allowed Muslim cadets to forgo physical training during Ramadan, after denying an earlier request.

[…]

“Initially, USAFA failed to provide any remedy, leaving Muslim cadets feeling forced to choose between their faith and their training. Only after external pressure did leadership reactively allow exemptions from physical training and provide transportation for evening meals—steps that should have been taken proactively. Future cadets should not have to fight the same battle,” the cadet said, in an email.

[…]

The academy changed its position on allowing cadets to skip the physical portion of the training on March 3, a few days before the training started on March 5, after the Military Religious Freedom Foundation raised concerns about the issue. The academy did not tell The Gazette about its decision.

The school also did not address the Muslim cadets' requests for exemptions from physical activity in an official statement in response to Gazette questions about the change. But highlighted how the school allowed cadets to take part in religious activities during the training.

[...]

The president and founder of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, Michael “Mikey" Weinstein, said the academy has treated cadets as an afterthought and made them feel like “80th-class citizens” through the process.

“These kids deserved better,” said Weinstein, noting as a graduate he is ashamed of the institution.

Click to read on The Colorado Springs Gazette

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Previous coverage by The Colorado Springs Gazette

3/3/25 – Colorado Springs Gazette Covers USAFA’s Denial of Accommodation for Muslim Cadets During Ramadan After MRFF Decries Academy’s Decision

Update from Muslim Air Force Academy cadet, informing MRFF that the Academy reversed course and granted religious accommodations after MRFF’s intervention

“CULEX and Ramadan Update”

From: (Muslim USAFA Cadet’s e-mail address withheld)

Subject: CULEX and Ramadan Update

Date: March 10, 2025 at 4:04:41 PM MDT

To: Michael L Weinstein <mikeyw4444@icloud.com>

Dear Mikey Weinstein and MRFF,

I wanted to provide an update regarding the recent developments surrounding religious accommodations for Muslim cadets during the CULEX training exercise at USAFA.

Following the press release by the Gazette and the MRFF, the head chaplain at USAFA provided more detailed guidance on how Muslim cadets could request accommodations. The chaplain advised that Muslim cadets should address their concerns directly to their squadron commanders to be excused from any physically demanding portions of CULEX. Additionally, the Muslim chaplain arranged for transportation each evening to ensure Muslim cadets could participate in the evening meal to break their fast and pray.

While these steps were a positive development, they appeared to be more reactive than proactive. The initial concerns from the Muslim cadet community arose because, at first, no remedies or accommodations were offered. Muslim cadets were recommended not to fast, and if they decided to they would have to deal with the potential consequences on their own. Many cadets felt uncomfortable speaking up to their leaders, fearing potential repercussions. This situation was further compounded by the sense that the Muslim chaplain did not effectively advocate for our needs from the outset.

We also made it clear to the head chaplain that we felt this reactive response was insensitive to our community's needs. Our concerns were not addressed until external pressure was applied, leading to feelings of isolation and frustration among Muslim cadets. A proactive approach, including open communication and early planning, could have alleviated much of our anxiety and uncertainty.

We hope this situation serves as a learning opportunity to ensure that all cadets feel supported and respected in their training and religious practices in the future.

Thank you for your continued support and advocacy,

Muslim Cadet, United States Air Force Academy

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BACKGROUND

Initial e-mail to MRFF from a

Muslim U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet

Monday, February 24, 2025

“Request For Religious Accommodation

Guidance – CULEX During Ramadan”

From: (Muslim U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet/MRFF Client’s e-mail address withheld)

Subject: Request For Religious Accommodation Guidance – CULEX During Ramadan

Date: February 24, 2025 at 11:19:13 AM MST

To: “mikeyw4444@icloud.com” <mikeyw4444@icloud.com>

Dear Military Religious Freedom Foundation,

First I would like to inform you that your personal email was given to me by Cadet (USAFA cadet’s name withheld). Also, I would like to request anonymity to avoid reprisal.

I hope this email finds you well. I am a Cadet at the United States Air Force Academy. I am reaching out for guidance regarding a religious accommodation concern and would like to remain anonymous in any potential advocacy or correspondence regarding this matter.

Muslims are religiously obligated to fast from dawn to sunset during the holy month of Ramadan, refraining from both food and drink during daylight hours. This spiritual practice is a fundamental pillar of Islam, requiring discipline, self-restraint, and devotion. However, I have been informed that I will not be excused from the physically demanding components of the Spring CULEX, a four-day culminating training event, despite the clear conflict it poses with my ability to safely observe my religious obligations.

According to OPORD 25-005, the Spring CULEX is a comprehensive field training exercise designed to assess cadets’ ability to perform in austere environments under high-stress conditions. The event incorporates a combination of Ready Airman Training, tactical movements, prolonged physical exertion, sleep deprivation, and strenuous outdoor activities. These physically and mentally demanding components, often performed in unpredictable weather conditions, require cadets to maintain peak endurance, hydration, and nutrition to avoid injury and sustain operational effectiveness.

The conflict with Ramadan is substantial. As fasting cadets, we would be required to engage in hours of intense physical activity without food or water throughout the day, placing us at increased risk of dehydration, heat exhaustion, and decreased cognitive function. Furthermore, the limited rest periods during CULEX make it nearly impossible to maintain proper nutrition and hydration in the small windows between sunset and sunrise, further compounding the health risks. This creates an unfair and hazardous situation for Muslim cadets who wish to observe their religious duties while also fulfilling their training responsibilities.

What makes this situation more concerning is that our chaplain has advised the Muslim cadet community at USAFA to forgo fasting during Ramadan, as upper leadership has reportedly refused to grant any excusal from the physical portions of CULEX. This effectively forces Muslim cadets into a position where they must choose between their deeply held religious beliefs and meeting military training requirements. Given that the military has established policies on religious accommodations, this denial raises concerns about whether Muslim cadets are being treated equitably regarding their faith-based needs.

I would like to better understand my rights regarding religious accommodations and explore possible courses of action. If MRFF can provide any guidance or advocacy in addressing this issue, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you for your time and for the work you do to uphold religious freedom in the military. I look forward to your response.

V/r,

(Muslim USAFA Cadet’s name withheld)

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THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME!

Flashback to 2022:

Air Force Academy schedules key training day

on Yom Kippur, forcing Jewish cadets to

choose between their religion and training

In 2022, the ever-religious-diversity-challenged Air Force Academy scheduled its “Commandant’s Challenge” on October 5, perfectly timed to fall right smack on Yom Kippur, the most solemn of all Jewish holy days, forcing Jewish cadets to choose between their religion and joining their much-preferred Christian counterparts in the semester’s most important training day.

Two days after the event, MRFF received an email from the parent of one Jewish cadet who was not only forced to make the agonizing decision to miss Yom Kippur services, but was told by a senior cadet in her chain of command that the issue was her “being Jewish,” suggesting that she at least “make an effort to try Christianity,” inviting her to a Bible study, and telling her that she wouldn’t be “converting away from Judaism” but rather that “Christianity is just enlightened Judaism.” In the words of her parent, this cadet was “humiliated beyond description” and was “was more despondent than we’d ever heard her before.”

Click to read more

For a two-decade history of MRFF’s numerous battles against outrageous Christian proselytizing and Christian nationalism at the Air Force Academy, visit:

MRFF’s U.S. Air Force Academy Wall of Shame

Read more about MRFF’s efforts on behalf of

U.S. Military members of the Muslim faith:

MRFF’s numerous efforts on behalf of U.S. Military members of the Muslim faith

“What is wrong with these leaders?”

From: (name withheld)

Subject: What is wrong with these leaders?

Date: March 11, 2025

To: mikey@militaryreligiousfreedom.org

As a retired servicemember with more than 100 combat air missions, it pains me to see there are not only STILL, but MORE misinformed military leaders now who think it their job to shovel their religion onto their troops. ‘Having been shoveled on, I am doubly appreciative of your work and success in making those commanders “understand” that their misguided actions are contrary to the oath all of us took on day one. You at MRFF are the go-to. Keep it up, and thank you very much. You continue to be much needed.

(name withheld), USAF ’06 Retired

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