Former Army 98G here, and a Heathen. Though at the time I declared Norse Pagan/Wiccan since that was easier to explain. I became the company liaison for all incoming Pagan/Heathen folk, and after being medboarded, I became the DFGL for the Pagan/Heathen/Other religious group at the post where my (still active duty) spouse was stationed. I joined up after graduating from college in 1996, and did my homework beforehand about rules and regulations. When I got to inprocessing, I politely but firmly insisted on my religious rights being respected. And so they were, down to being permitted a particular prayer book during Basic rather than the "normal" religious texts, and the chaplain authorized me an hour to observe Samhain on my own with full altar and all. Also had a religious sccommodation letter permitting burned candles in the barracks, among other things. I fought for our representation as a religious code on dogtags and that fight continued after I was out, but I was very proud of the work I did and continue to do in support of Heathens and Pagans in the service (all branches). Hail and a hand salute to all my brothers and sisters in uniform, past, present, and future who have traveled any part of this path! Live trú!
I am as well a army pagen. Out now but enjoy the vids. Love the back stories and the explanation of your path. I was scared of "coming out" . My wife is christian and my dad is a preacher so it was tough. But everyone has been really excepting to tell you the truth. The tv series Vikings has made it hard but its all good now. Thank you for the vids yall. Keep your chins tucked
Bro, your videos are probably the best that I've found. There are other similar channels, but they feel more forced. Keep up the work!!!! Good luck on getting out. It's a struggle in the real world brotha
Well done brother and well done Josh and I am a Norse pagan from Ireland and I am really proud to be a Norse pagan the gods will be very proud of yous yous are doing great work
I am both in the National Guard, and a unitarian univeralist. I was deployed for an entire year as a Norse Pagan. He and I had constantly spoke philosophy and theology with. He had many issues with not having an altar and faced some discrimination due to it at first but we helped each other through it. We had 3 Norse Pagans in my unit but my Battalion and Brigade had issues with Norse Paganism for a while and I had wished they had less issues at the time. It is nice to hear about other Norse Pagans in uniform.
Well done brothers for serving your country I served my country I was in the Irish army Skal brothers respect from a very proud Norse pagan from Dublin Ireland
hey i’m in the military army national guard and i found my path being norse pagan during basic and i’ve been in for almost 4 years now but my dog tags still say christianity because i didn’t have a believe system back then and i wanna try to get the religious exemption but i don’t want them to think i want it to just have the beard so is there anything you know i can do being in the national guard since we don’t have a chaplain at our unit?
I am really grateful that our gods saved me from my own darkness I am really proud to be a Norse pagan and I am really grateful to be a Norse pagan and I am really grateful to be on this journey
I've been practicing Norse Paganism for a little over 2 years now, I've been wanting to get the beard accommodation for the navy but I'm not sure how to go about that. If you or Josh could reach out and help me that would be amazing!! Really loved the video, I've been debating actually having it as my preferred religion and this video made me realize that there are more in the military!!
I’m in the same boat, I’m new tho bout 7 month in, I feel like I can’t get a religious memo, because I’m so new, also being an E4 I also feel as if I’m gonna suffer a lot of grief and backlash from my chain of command. But I also feel as if that fear is weakness, and I’m not living my life to my fullest extent. I’d also like to find someone who can mentor and help me practice my faith more
My husband is Army and joked about becoming a Norse Pagan so he could grow his bread. We both grew up with Christianity for me and catholicism for him but we're not religious. I told him if you really want to we can look into it. Here i am looking into it. I have been looking to fulfill my life spirituality. When i was younger I got really into Christianity but it made me feel guilty alll the time. Trying to find ways to serve the Lord without guilt led me to atheism. My husband's off-hand joke to get out of shaving is honestly inspiring me. I am just scratching the surface of this. The more I learn the more I see my values in this religion.
I hope you are well brother respect for serving your country I am to a ex Irish soldier and respect from a very proud Irish Norse pagan heathen may lord Odin and lord Thor bless and keep yous safe skal
I am Norse pagan and very quiet person gets people to asume im bad at conversation but are they in suprise when they start arguing im very good at it can turn basically everything on its head
I spent 8 years in the marines and now just enlisted with the army shipping out in 2 months. I am a heathen still finding my own way (converted 1yr 1/2 ago and do not plan on shaving as it is a defining part of me. I do have to start my RA but any good sitings from sagas that don’t leave much room for argumentative text over my own beliefs? What do I write
Hi there! I've been practicing for about 3 years now and here's a few good tips I wish I knew in the beginning. 1. Daily prayer and meditation. This is crucial, and very rewarding. I would recommend sitting (for starters) doing a prayer/ritual meditation once every night before bed and when you feel ready once in the morning if you have the time. For info on how prayer is conducted, check out "how to pray like an indo european pagan" by survive the jive. [Also try to build a sacred place like an alter or a dedicated place in your home to do this in, since there are very few temples in the world] 2. Let yourself be inspired and influenced by the sagas, myths and history. Try not to allow your modern views of politics, ethics or religion influence you while you do this. Try to look at the myths objectively (in the beginning) and try to put yourself in the shoes of your ancestors. 3. Find people who have similar believes as you or people who have a general interest in this practise and learn from them (always with a sceptical/grain of salt mindset) practice honestly together with them as "folk" or "kindred" and learn how to sacrifice/blot (the most important ritual act) 4. Be aware that paganism is not the opposite of Christianity, many themes and practices overlap by coincidence or simply because of time proven effectiveness. 5. Study other indo european religious practices. Most well known one is Hinduism (dharma) check out "international dharma society" for more info. The Guru Acharya who leads the organisation is a supporter of paganism or asatro. The Greco-roman religions are another great start. 6. Whatever you or someone else (pagan or otherwise) believe does not matter or how much they truly believe it does not matter. Practice, continuity and personal spiritual discipline is more important than belief and thought. 7. The eddas and sagas are not the Bible. Do not take them literally or as gospel. They are stories we draw inspiration, information, meaning and life lessons from. 8. Do not neglect your ancestors or their importance/influence on you. This does not mean that you have to live like them or even know their individual names. Instead try to see the combined spirit of your past as a part of you and give praise and thanks to them. 9. Be humble and modest in your worship. Keep it simple and don't overdo it. Remember to live in the present and don't take paganism as trying to recreate the past, tradition is the preservation of fire not the worship of ashes! Good luck!
@@mynorsepaganjourney2452 no problems! I'm saving this comment myself so I can simply post this again if anyone has the same question. I might update it as well
@@mynorsepaganjourney2452 it's actually going better than you would think my wife respects my beliefs and I respect hers I really appreciate everything you do for the community and how you have helped me personally through these videos
Lol... I'm a preacher's daughter and I'm Norse pagan/Heathen. 😊 My husband (we were active duty stationed together when we met/married) is also from a heavily Christian family. It's worked out for us with a lot of patience and education (for my side of the family) and firm boundaries (plus the rest, mostly for his side). It can be done, at least sometimes. Maybe not every time, but we're living proof that even if it's a unicorn scenario, it IS possible. 👍🏻Good luck!
Would really like a copy of his memo he submitted so i can see the wording and verbage, my chaplain was only able to supply me with a template for requesting accomodation against COVID-19 Vaccination which doesnt really help.
You should start doing videos again brother your doing great work in the name of the gods all hail Odin and all hail lord Thor and all hail the allfather of Valhalla skal brothers and sisters you have my respect Josh skal brother
@@Lucas-vu5ok and I bet you’re angry when you’re not either… go figure… no place in our military still stands. I don’t change my colors to please people
Former Army 98G here, and a Heathen. Though at the time I declared Norse Pagan/Wiccan since that was easier to explain. I became the company liaison for all incoming Pagan/Heathen folk, and after being medboarded, I became the DFGL for the Pagan/Heathen/Other religious group at the post where my (still active duty) spouse was stationed. I joined up after graduating from college in 1996, and did my homework beforehand about rules and regulations. When I got to inprocessing, I politely but firmly insisted on my religious rights being respected. And so they were, down to being permitted a particular prayer book during Basic rather than the "normal" religious texts, and the chaplain authorized me an hour to observe Samhain on my own with full altar and all. Also had a religious sccommodation letter permitting burned candles in the barracks, among other things. I fought for our representation as a religious code on dogtags and that fight continued after I was out, but I was very proud of the work I did and continue to do in support of Heathens and Pagans in the service (all branches).
Hail and a hand salute to all my brothers and sisters in uniform, past, present, and future who have traveled any part of this path! Live trú!
Amazing story. Thank you so much for sharing.
Not amazing
Nothing you did was for your country.... just yourself
I am as well a army pagen. Out now but enjoy the vids. Love the back stories and the explanation of your path. I was scared of "coming out" . My wife is christian and my dad is a preacher so it was tough. But everyone has been really excepting to tell you the truth. The tv series Vikings has made it hard but its all good now. Thank you for the vids yall. Keep your chins tucked
Thank you! And yes AR 670-1. I agree but a lot of people especially my family accept it.
It's spelled pagan but yea
The TV series
@@JT-tz3zs get a life.
@@MajorApparent honestly.... you're doing nothing
Bro, your videos are probably the best that I've found. There are other similar channels, but they feel more forced. Keep up the work!!!! Good luck on getting out. It's a struggle in the real world brotha
Thanks for the kind words man! I appreciate ya. And thank you! I am excited but nervous as well!
Got my army beard started 3 weeks ago. Great feeling to see more with it
Well done brother and well done Josh and I am a Norse pagan from Ireland and I am really proud to be a Norse pagan the gods will be very proud of yous yous are doing great work
I am both in the National Guard, and a unitarian univeralist. I was deployed for an entire year as a Norse Pagan. He and I had constantly spoke philosophy and theology with. He had many issues with not having an altar and faced some discrimination due to it at first but we helped each other through it. We had 3 Norse Pagans in my unit but my Battalion and Brigade had issues with Norse Paganism for a while and I had wished they had less issues at the time. It is nice to hear about other Norse Pagans in uniform.
Well done brothers for serving your country I served my country I was in the Irish army Skal brothers respect from a very proud Norse pagan from Dublin Ireland
That’s my dude! I was stationed with him in the same platoon when I was at Campbell. Never knew he was Norse. Hope you’re doin well buddy!
Thanks man. And he’s a great guy!
hey i’m in the military army national guard and i found my path being norse pagan during basic and i’ve been in for almost 4 years now but my dog tags still say christianity because i didn’t have a believe system back then and i wanna try to get the religious exemption but i don’t want them to think i want it to just have the beard so is there anything you know i can do being in the national guard since we don’t have a chaplain at our unit?
I am really grateful that our gods saved me from my own darkness I am really proud to be a Norse pagan and I am really grateful to be a Norse pagan and I am really grateful to be on this journey
I've been practicing Norse Paganism for a little over 2 years now, I've been wanting to get the beard accommodation for the navy but I'm not sure how to go about that. If you or Josh could reach out and help me that would be amazing!! Really loved the video, I've been debating actually having it as my preferred religion and this video made me realize that there are more in the military!!
Anytime man. And I’ll let josh know as he has already completed his. Also talk to your chaplain they could help as well.
I’m in the same boat, I’m new tho bout 7 month in, I feel like I can’t get a religious memo, because I’m so new, also being an E4 I also feel as if I’m gonna suffer a lot of grief and backlash from my chain of command. But I also feel as if that fear is weakness, and I’m not living my life to my fullest extent. I’d also like to find someone who can mentor and help me practice my faith more
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take man.
I've been a closeted novice norse pagan been studying it for yrs but now I really want to come out with it to the military.
Do it! It’s such a relief.
My husband is Army and joked about becoming a Norse Pagan so he could grow his bread. We both grew up with Christianity for me and catholicism for him but we're not religious.
I told him if you really want to we can look into it. Here i am looking into it. I have been looking to fulfill my life spirituality. When i was younger I got really into Christianity but it made me feel guilty alll the time. Trying to find ways to serve the Lord without guilt led me to atheism.
My husband's off-hand joke to get out of shaving is honestly inspiring me. I am just scratching the surface of this. The more I learn the more I see my values in this religion.
That is awesome! If you need more info let me or Josh know.
How noble
I hope you are well brother respect for serving your country I am to a ex Irish soldier and respect from a very proud Irish Norse pagan heathen may lord Odin and lord Thor bless and keep yous safe skal
I am Norse pagan and very quiet person gets people to asume im bad at conversation but are they in suprise when they start arguing im very good at it can turn basically everything on its head
I’m at campbell too! Can’t figure out how to post a picture of me and my beard but I’m at campbell
I spent 8 years in the marines and now just enlisted with the army shipping out in 2 months. I am a heathen still finding my own way (converted 1yr 1/2 ago and do not plan on shaving as it is a defining part of me. I do have to start my RA but any good sitings from sagas that don’t leave much room for argumentative text over my own beliefs? What do I write
Josh would be the one to ask about that brother!
1st off thank you both for your service. I got one question. As a new pegan what do you suggest as first steps, besides reading,
Just try and get in touch with the gods as best as you can! And thank you for your support!
Hi there! I've been practicing for about 3 years now and here's a few good tips I wish I knew in the beginning.
1. Daily prayer and meditation. This is crucial, and very rewarding. I would recommend sitting (for starters) doing a prayer/ritual meditation once every night before bed and when you feel ready once in the morning if you have the time.
For info on how prayer is conducted, check out "how to pray like an indo european pagan" by survive the jive.
[Also try to build a sacred place like an alter or a dedicated place in your home to do this in, since there are very few temples in the world]
2. Let yourself be inspired and influenced by the sagas, myths and history. Try not to allow your modern views of politics, ethics or religion influence you while you do this. Try to look at the myths objectively (in the beginning) and try to put yourself in the shoes of your ancestors.
3. Find people who have similar believes as you or people who have a general interest in this practise and learn from them (always with a sceptical/grain of salt mindset) practice honestly together with them as "folk" or "kindred" and learn how to sacrifice/blot (the most important ritual act)
4. Be aware that paganism is not the opposite of Christianity, many themes and practices overlap by coincidence or simply because of time proven effectiveness.
5. Study other indo european religious practices. Most well known one is Hinduism (dharma) check out "international dharma society" for more info. The Guru Acharya who leads the organisation is a supporter of paganism or asatro. The Greco-roman religions are another great start.
6. Whatever you or someone else (pagan or otherwise) believe does not matter or how much they truly believe it does not matter. Practice, continuity and personal spiritual discipline is more important than belief and thought.
7. The eddas and sagas are not the Bible. Do not take them literally or as gospel. They are stories we draw inspiration, information, meaning and life lessons from.
8. Do not neglect your ancestors or their importance/influence on you. This does not mean that you have to live like them or even know their individual names. Instead try to see the combined spirit of your past as a part of you and give praise and thanks to them.
9. Be humble and modest in your worship. Keep it simple and don't overdo it. Remember to live in the present and don't take paganism as trying to recreate the past, tradition is the preservation of fire not the worship of ashes!
Good luck!
Amazing! You are 110% correct! Thank you for this so much!
@@mynorsepaganjourney2452 no problems! I'm saving this comment myself so I can simply post this again if anyone has the same question. I might update it as well
It was a greaaaaaaat comment!
I always imagined a Norse pagan chaplin with a Rune device.
That would be ammmmmazing!!!!!
I relate a lot to this guy I am a Norse pagan going into the Marines and I married a preachers daughter
Oh man. How is that going for ya?
@@mynorsepaganjourney2452 it's actually going better than you would think my wife respects my beliefs and I respect hers I really appreciate everything you do for the community and how you have helped me personally through these videos
Thank you and I’m happy to hear it going well!
Lol... I'm a preacher's daughter and I'm Norse pagan/Heathen. 😊 My husband (we were active duty stationed together when we met/married) is also from a heavily Christian family. It's worked out for us with a lot of patience and education (for my side of the family) and firm boundaries (plus the rest, mostly for his side). It can be done, at least sometimes. Maybe not every time, but we're living proof that even if it's a unicorn scenario, it IS possible. 👍🏻Good luck!
My nose pagan journey hope you are well have a blessed Yule
The shit I got from people in Ireland is nuts I am very proud to be a Norse pagan and I always be greatful to our gods all hail Odin
Would really like a copy of his memo he submitted so i can see the wording and verbage, my chaplain was only able to supply me with a template for requesting accomodation against COVID-19 Vaccination which doesnt really help.
How can I get in touch with Josh?
What is the best way to ask him questions?
To ask who questions?
It would bring great joy to my grandparents to see pagans of current day stepping out from the shadows .
It’s amazing huh?
Damn you marvel universe
Oh you became a joke
oh yes we all became Norse pagan because of marvel. how'd you know?! 😂
You should start doing videos again brother your doing great work in the name of the gods all hail Odin and all hail lord Thor and all hail the allfather of Valhalla skal brothers and sisters you have my respect Josh skal brother
I will def start them up again very soon. I just moved into a new home so I’m getting that situated then I will be making some new videos.
@@mynorsepaganjourney2452 No worries brother happy Yule
@@cillianranngarsson2762 thanks man same to you!
@@mynorsepaganjourney2452 I hope to find other Norse pagans in Ireland
My dad calls my mjolnir my Mr. T necklace 😂
Pagans have no place in our military. From a retired Chief.
@@MyMysaysFU I bet you get angry when you’re not offered a military discount
@@Lucas-vu5ok and I bet you’re angry when you’re not either… go figure… no place in our military still stands. I don’t change my colors to please people
@@MyMysaysFU stfu navy, you have no say.......and retired....piss off
Who Cares what Others Think none of us was put here to be weak
I mean if any Pagan faith fits the military it's gotta be either Norse and or Hellenism (Greek and Roman).
Very very true