Kirtland AFB Maintains Greeting Policy

PHOTO CAPTION: Airman 1st Class Derek Brown of the 377th Security Forces Squadron works an entry gate at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico, in February 2023. Kirtland says it has no plans to restrict common religious greetings at its gates. (U.S. Air Force photo by Todd Berenger)

Kirtland Air Force Base says it has no plans to restrict Security Forces personnel from using common greetings such as “God bless you” or “have a blessed day” while working the installation’s gates.

The statement came after the Military Religious Freedom Foundation said it received 34 complaints about religious greetings being used at the New Mexico base. The organization said 24 of those complaints came from practicing Christians.

The foundation argues that religious greetings delivered by uniformed personnel during an official interaction can conflict with Air Force rules requiring service members and leaders to respect people of different faiths — as well as those who follow no religion.

Kirtland officials, however, told NOTUS on Sept. 8 that after reviewing the complaints, the base had not issued and did not plan to issue changes either requiring or restricting common phrases used when personnel enter the installation. Gate guards are still expected to communicate professionally and courteously.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach also said existing policies had not changed and that there were no plans to prohibit common greetings at Air Force installations.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had publicly weighed in on the dispute several days earlier, criticizing the Military Religious Freedom Foundation and saying the Air Force would confront the issue. The foundation has said it could pursue legal action if it believes the greetings violate military regulations.

Department of the Air Force policy states that Airmen and Guardians have the right to practice their religion — or no religion — while commanders must maintain an environment that respects the beliefs of others and protects unit cohesion, good order and discipline.

For now, Kirtland’s position is that no new gate policy is coming.

That means Security Forces personnel can continue using ordinary greetings while doing their jobs, provided their interactions remain professional and consistent with existing Air Force rules.

Sources: NOTUS; Department of the Air Force

(Source: NOTUS; Department of the Air Force)