In the Freethinker’s Foxhole with Author Eric R. Carlson

“There are no atheists in foxholes” is a military adage and common misconception that people will always turn to a supernatural higher power when faced with extreme fear or stress. As the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers (MAAF) states proudly on their homepage, “Nontheistic service members serve honorably throughout the world—always have; always will.” MAAF’s latest effort to support the growing community of atheists and humanists in the military (see demographics here, updates for 2024 coming soon) is the publication of the book Freethinker’s Foxhole: Daily Reflections for Non-religious Military Personnel. We interviewed author Eric R. Carlson to find out about the book and why it’s needed.


How did this book develop?

I served twenty-five years in the Marines as a combat correspondent and public affairs officer. Then I worked for twenty-five years as a reporter for the Leelanau Enterprise newspaper, a Class B County weekly that was named Michigan Newspaper of the Year in its category for the last eight years I worked there. I retired in May 2023 and began writing the book as a personal project. Jason Torpy of MAAF offered many valuable ideas and suggestions that I incorporated.

How do you describe the book’s purpose?

Its purpose is to support the spiritual readiness of members of the U.S. armed forces. [“Spiritual readiness” refers to the ability to endure and overcome difficulties through finding meaning in our life experiences.] In the book I share how the term is defined in military field manuals and how it can be defined in an entirely secular way.

How is it being used or do you hope it will be used, for example, individual reflection, community events, chaplain resources, etc.?

Because I had routinely seen military chaplains handing out free Bibles, Korans, daily prayer books, and many other kinds of “inspirational” literature intended to enhance the spiritual readiness of my fellow Marines throughout my career, I had some hope that I might convince them to acquire my book and provide it to non-religious service members. So far, this has not happened, even though chaplains are supposed to serve everyone in their unit regardless of religious affiliation or non-affiliation.

I hope that the book will be found on bedside tables in military barracks, on bookshelves in barracks day rooms, in chaplain’s offices, in military counseling centers, at military Morale, Welfare and Recreation libraries, and for sale in post exchanges (“the PX”) such as Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) where numerous versions of the Holy Bible are offered for sale. I also hope that MAAF affiliates at military bases might use the book as the basis for group discussions at meet-ups such as Sunday Assemblies in lieu of chapel.

How is it being promoted?

I sent a letter with a copy of the book to the Armed Forces Chaplains Board at the Pentagon and the chief chaplains of each of the military services. I’ve sent letters to the editor of the Marine Corps Gazette and ARMY magazine in response to articles they published on Holistic Health & Fitness (H2F), a concept adopted relatively recently by the military services that includes physical fitness, mental fitness, sleep readiness, nutritional readiness and spiritual readiness. In my letters, I’ve pointed out that, so far, “spiritual readiness” efforts have been implemented almost exclusively by religious clerics even though spiritual readiness is not necessarily religious. Freethinker’s Foxhole is now available to fill that gap.

How can civilians help make it more accessible?

It would be nice if secular organizations helped publicize the book and let their members know that Freethinker’s Foxhole might make a fabulous Winter Solstice gift for people who have served or are currently serving in the military. I’d love to have help from individuals, national secular organizations, and members of the Congressional Freethought Caucus to convince the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness that military services must do right by the growing numbers of non-religious people now serving in the military and quit turning them over exclusively to military chaplains. The Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness oversees the Armed Forces Chaplains Board, Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR), and the Office of Force Resiliency which includes the office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). They need to better serve freethinkers in the military.


Get your copy of Freethinker’s Foxhole: Daily Reflections for Non-religious Military Personnel. Share with service folks and veterans in your life.