Catholicism and Military service

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Sorry I if posted this the wrong way, I am brand new to Catholic Forum. I am a sophomore in high school and getting for college. I have been preparing since seventh grade on going to the United States Air Force Academy. If I go to the academy, my hope is to be a transport pilot in the Air Force. During this time of quartine, the question arose in me, is serving in the Air Force moral to my Catholic faith? I did a little research, but I can’t really find an answer. Does anyone have some advice?

Best regards,

s124
 
  1. You’re in high school. Focus on high school right now. Don’t get ahead of yourself.
  2. If you get to the academy, that’s great. But you’re not guaranteed a flight slot. And even if you get one, you may or may not fly transports. But in any case, you’re in high school. So focus on doing that well right now.
  3. There is nothing immoral about serving in the military. Why do you think we have Catholic chaplains serving in every branch of the armed forces? One of my seminary classmates is a lieutenant in the Navy and is detailed to the Marines in San Diego right now.
-Fr ACEGC
 
edward_george1 said:
There is nothing immoral about serving in the military.
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Questions like this come up when you have Catholics fighting against and killing other Catholics. Catholic soldiers on each side are praying the rosary, but they are shooting at each other. For example, in WWI when French Catholic soldiers and German Catholic soldiers were using deadly weapons in battle against each other. Is it wrong for a Catholic to be a pacifist and refuse to fight in a war?
 
Thank you for the advice, that really helps.
 
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Does the Catechism Say Military Service Is OK?

Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others. The defense of the common good requires that an...
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www.catholic.com

What Is a 'Just War'?

What qualifies as a war that is moral to wage? What does the Catholic Church teach about 'Just War' theory? Click here for an answer.
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http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/military/conscientious-objection.cfm
 
The Catholic Church has many saints who were soldiers like St. George (whose feast was a few days ago, Apr. 23), St. Theodore the Recruit (Tyro), St. Eugene and his companions (Dec. 13 on the Byzantine calendar), the Forty Holy Martyrs of Sebaste (March 9/10 on the Byzantine & TL calendars respectively), St. Ignatius of Loyola (July 31) etc. Then there are saints who are called “passion-bearers” because they did not resist violence used against them like Sts. Borys and Gleb (July 24) and saints who were peacemakers like St. Rita (May 22).

Read the lives of the Saints (the 40 Holy Martyrs of Sebaste and St. George are not for the faint of heart but they’re good).

Ask your priest to help you.
 
s124 said:
is serving in the Air Force moral to my Catholic faith?
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It certainly can be.
I did a little research, but I can’t really find an answer.
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You could start with this passage from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

2265 Legitimate defense can be not only a right but a grave duty for one who is responsible for the lives of others. The defense of the common good requires that an unjust aggressor be rendered unable to cause harm. For this reason, those who legitimately hold authority also have the right to use arms to repel aggressors against the civil community entrusted to their responsibility.
Does anyone have some advice?
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In the event of war or other armed conflict, try to regard “the enemy” with charity, not contempt. This doesn’t mean you can’t kill them. Just avoid any tendency to think of them as sub-human. Respect their human dignity. Pray for them, for their salvation, and for their families.
 
Thank you all for your advice. This has really help me , especially as I come closer to the application process and begin my life.
 
I don’t know if Catholics in military are allowed to kill people. Read the 10 commandments. Do not kill. They can serve as chaplains, other activities but not allowed to shoot and kill someone I think
 
bebtoni,
First, “Thou shalt not kill” is a bad translation! The proper translation is “The shalt not MURDER.” Big difference between kill and murder! Second, I am not aware of any teachings of the Roman Catholic Church that limits the capacity in which one may serve in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

s124,
Go directly to the horse’s mouth. Contact directly the Cadet Chaplain Office at the Air Force Academy. Ask for the Catholic chaplain and express your concerns to him. I am sure he will be more than willing to talk with you and address your concerns. Here is the contact information: Cadet Chaplain Office, 2348 Sijan Drive, Suite 100, United States Air Force Academy, CO 80840 (719) 333-2636
Good Luck!
 
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bebetoni said:
I don’t know if Catholics in military are allowed to kill people. Read the 10 commandments. Do not kill. They can serve as chaplains, other activities but not allowed to shoot and kill someone I think
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No, this is inaccurate. Catholics can (and millions have) serve as combatants.
 
Awesome! It’s highly moral to defend the greatest country in the world.
 
1cthlctrth said:
Awesome! It’s highly moral to defend the greatest country in the world.
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Don’t start.

To OP, it’s not considered immoral to serve in the military as a combatant, but if you’re having misgivings about it the easy solution is to just not join. 🤷‍♂️
 
Beryllos said:
In the event of war or other armed conflict, try to regard “the enemy” with charity, not contempt. This doesn’t mean you can’t kill them.
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RolandThompsonGunner said:
Catholics can (and millions have) serve as combatants.
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bebetoni said:
I don’t know if Catholics in military are allowed to kill people.
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This is what disturbs me about war. Catholics killing each other and it is supposedly justifiable.

Take for example WWI:

Battle of Verdun 1916 - 700,000 dead

Battle of Somme 1916 - 1,000,000 dead.

Battle of Passchendaele 1917 - 450,000 dead.

Total military casualties WWI (both sides) 13,000,000.

Total civilian dead (both sides) 1,000,000.

Is it better to turn the other cheek and be a pacifist? Or is it a bad idea to turn the other cheek and instead fight the enemy who BTW very possibly is your fellow Catholic in the faith?
 
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AlNg said:
Is it better to turn the other cheek and be a pacifist? Or is it a bad idea to turn the other cheek and instead fight the enemy who BTW very possibly is your fellow Catholic in the faith?
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If it’s a just war, it’s better to fight the enemy, whether they’re Catholic or not. There were Catholics who fought for Germany in WWII. That doesn’t make the German Army somehow off limits for Catholic Allied soldiers.

I also find the implication disturbing that killing a human being is only morally weighty when it’s a Catholic. “Oh, sure, I could bayonet Protestants or Buddhists all day, but a Catholic?!”
 
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s124 said:
I am a sophomore in high school and getting for college. I have been preparing since seventh grade on going to the United States Air Force Academy. If I go to the academy, my hope is to be a transport pilot in the Air Force.
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Although, OP, if you want some unsolicited advice…don’t go to the Air Force Academy, even if you get in. But it wouldn’t be un-Catholic to do so.
 
RolandThompsonGunner said:
I also find the implication disturbing that killing a human being is only morally weighty when it’s a Catholic.
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Yes. You are right on that point.
RolandThompsonGunner said:
If it’s a just war, it’s better to fight the enemy
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So it is not a good idea to turn the other cheek after all?
RolandThompsonGunner said:
There were Catholics who fought for Germany in WWII.
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True. But considering WWI was somewhat different. Also, people were conscripted into fighting which was not really something they wanted to do. 13 million people dead in WWI is a lot.
 
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