Joint Appendix — Goldman v. Weinberger
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SEP_g 1965
In The OSEPH F. SPANIOL, JR
Supreme Court of the United States"
October Term, 1985 '
No. 84-1097
————— —— -f) --—
S. SIMCHA GOLDMAN,
Petitioner,
v.
CASPER W. WEINBERGER,
Secretary of Detense, et al.,
Respondent.
wy
Vv
On Writ of Certiorari to the United States
Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
)
JOINT APPENDIX
ty)
Vv
NATHAN LEWIN CHARLES FRIED
2555 M Street, N.W. Acting Solicitor General
Suite °°
Washine:on, D. C. 20037 iene
(202) 293-6400
Counsel of Record
for Petitioner
OF COUNSEL:
DAVID J. BUTLER
Brownstein Zeidman
& Schomer
1467 New York Ave., N.W.
Suite 900
Washington, D. C. 20005
(202) 879-5700
DENNIS RAPPS
National Jewish Commission
on Law and Public Affairs
450 Seventh Avenue
New York, N. Y. 10001
(212) 563-0100
PETITION FOR CERTIORARI FILED JANUARY 7, 1985
CERTIORARI GRANTED JUNE 17, 1985
COCKLE LAW BRIEF PRINTING CO., (800) 835-7427 Ext. 333
’ REST AVAILABLE COPY
TABLE OF PARTS OF THE RECORD
CONTAINED IN THE JOINT APPENDIX*
Relevant Docket Entries in the Courts Below 1
Complaint of S. Simcha Goldman filed in United
States District Court for the District of Columbia
i i, 8 | aaa tian haa
Answer of Secretary of Defense et al. to Plaintiff’s
Complaint (United States District Court for the
District of Columbia) (September 9, 1981) —.. 10
Photographs of the Plaintiff —— sauna
Exhibit A) - ER ‘ Simin (Oe
Defendants’ Rist to Plaintiff's calc
(United States District Court for the District of
Columbia) (August 17, 1981) - inet idien, ie
Transcript of Trial Before the United States District
Court for the District of Columbia sussnsenadle 10,
1981) EA Sle A hall 29
Defendants’ Responses to Plaintiff's ie for Ad-
missions (United States District Court for the Dis-
OR NG A
*The Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law of the United
States District Court for the District of Columbia (April 26,
1982) appear in the Appendix to the Petition for a Writ of Cer-
tiorari at 28a-34a. The Order of the United States District Court
for the District of Columbia (April 26, 1982) appears in the
gee to the Petition for a Writ of Certiorari at 35a-36a.
Decision of the United States Court of Appeals for the
District of Columbia Circuit (May 8, 1984) appears in the Ap-
pendix to the Petition for a Writ of Certiorari at 1a-20a. The
Order of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit denying the . 7" for rehearing en banc
and the dissenting statements filed by Circuit Judge Starr and
Circuit Judge Ginsburg appear in the Appendix to the Petition
for a Writ of Certiorari at 21a-27a.
3
TABLE OF PARTS OF THE RECORD
CONTAINED IN THE JOINT APPENDIX—Continued
Page
Deposition of S. Simcha Goldman (United States Dis-
trict Court for the District of Columbia) (August 6,
1981) 151
Order from Col. Joseph E. Gregory to Capt. S. Sim-
cha Goldman (June 23, 1981) (Plaintiff’s Deposi-
tion Exhibit 1) 207
Letter of Reprimand from Col. Seite E. Gregory to
Capt. S. Simcha Goldman (June 24, 1981) (Plain-
tiff’s Deposition Exhibit 2) 0. ‘. _. 208
Reply to Letter of Reprimand by Capt. S. Simcha
Goldman (June 24, 1981) (Plaintiff's Deposition
Exhibit 3) - 209
Application of Capt. S. Simcha Goldman for Exten-
sion of Date of Separation from the Air Force
(May 11, 1981) (Plaintiff’s Depositien Exhibit 4) —. 210
Performance Rating of Capt. S. Simcha Goldman
(January 19, 1979) weeps Deposition Ex-
ee 214
Performance Rating of Capt. S. Simcha Goldman (Oc-
tober 20, 1980) (Plaintiff’s Deposition Exhibit 9)... 220
Excerpt from I. Klein, A Guide to Jewish i ae
Practice (1979) (Plaintiff’s Trial Exhibit 6) —..... 226
Request by Capt. Howard Rosman for Waiver from
Air Force Regulation 35-10 (July 8, 1974) (Plain-
tiff’s Trial Exhibit 7) . 229
Letter from Col. Frank E. Edmunds, Jr. Recommend-
ing Approval of Capt. Rosman’s Request (July 9,
1974) (Plaintiff’s Trial Exhibit 8) 229
Letter from Col. Richard A. Burpee Denying Capt.
Rosman’s Request (July 22, 1974) (Plaintiff’s Trial
Exhibit 9) . 230
ill
TABLE OF PARTS OF THE RECORD
CONTAINED IN THE JOINT APPENDIX—Continued
Page
Letter from Nathan Lewin to David R. Johnson,
Office of the General Counsel, United States Air
Force (July 25, 1974) (Plaintiff’s Trial Exhibit
NEE EEE Ee 231
Affidavit of Capt. Donald Dale Reeves (August 31,
1981) (United States District Court for the District
EE EE LET 237
Research Data on Religious Requirements and Prac-
tices, With Attached Excerpt from G. Appel, The
Concise Code of Jewish Law (Vol. 1) ( nti wad
fendant’s Trial Exhibit 1) 0000 240
RELEVANT DOCKET ENTRIES
IN THE COURTS BELOW
I. United States District Court for the District of
Columbia
July 2, 1981
July 2, 1981
July 2, 1981
July 2, 1981
July 10, 1981
July 13, 1981
July 13, 1981
July 21, 1981
August 6, 1981
Complaint of S. Simcha Goldman
Application by Plaintiff for Tempo-
rary Restraining Order
Temporary Restraining Order
Motion for Temporary Restraining
Order Argued and Granted
Motion for Preliminary Injunction
Argued and Granted
Memorandum Opinion of the United
States District Court
Order of the United States District
Court Granting Motion for Prelimin-
ary Injunction
Motion by Plaintiff to Use Plaintiff’s
Deposition Testimony at Trial
Order Granting Plaintiff’s Motion to
Use Plaintiff’s Deposition Testimony
at Trial
September 9, 1981 Answer by Secretary of Defense et
al. to Plaintiff’s Complaint
September 10, 1981 Trial by United States District Court
April 29, 1982
Findings of Fact and Conclusions of
Law of United States District Court
April 29, 1982
June 25, 1982
August 2, 1982
2
Order of United States District Court
filed April 26, 1982
Notice of Appeal by Defendants from
Order of United States District Court
filed April 26, 1982
Record on Appeal Delivered to United
States Court of Appeals
II. United States Court of Appeals for the District of
Columbia Circuit
August 3, 1982
March 22, 1983
May 8, 1984
May 8, 1984
June 22, 1984
August 10, 1984
August 10, 1984
Certified Original Record
Argued Before Circuit Judge Mikva,
Circuit Judge Edwards, and Senior
Circuit Judge Swygert (United States
Court of Appeals for the Seventh Cir-
cuit)
Opinion for the United States Court
of Appeals filed by Senior Circuit
Judge Swygert
Judgment by the United States Court
of Appeals that the Judgment of the
United States District Court Ap-
pealed from is Vacated and the Case
is Remanded
Appellee’s Petition for Rehearing
and Suggestion for Rehearing En
Bane
Per Curiam Order Denying Appellee’s
Petition for Rehearing
Per Curiam Order En Bane Denying
Appellee’s Suggestion for Rehearing
En Bane
August 10, 1984
August 10, 1984
August 27, 1984
January 14, 1985
June 18, 1985
3
Statement Dissenting from Denial of
Suggestion to Hear Case En Bane
filed by Circuit Judge Starr
Statement Dissenting from Denial of
Suggestion to Hear Case En Bane
filed by Cireuit Judge Ginsburg, in
which Cireuit Judge Scalia Concurs
Mandate Issued
Notice from Clerk, United States Su-
preme Court that Petition for Writ
of Certiorari was filed January 7,
1985
Certified Copy of Order from Clerk,
United States Supreme Court Grant-
ing Petition for Writ of Certiorari on
June 17, 1985
4
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Civil Action No, 81-1522
S. SIMCHA GOLDMAN,
449 North Laurel Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90048
(213) 655-9410
Plaintiff,
v.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE,
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301
and
SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORUVE,
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301
Defendants.
COMPLAINT FOR DAMAGES AND DECLARATORY
AND INJUNCTIVE RELIEF
(Filed July 2, 1981)
1, This action arises under the Free Exercise Clause
of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.
The jurisdiction of this Court is invoked pursuant to 28
U.S.C. § 1331 and 28 U.S.C. § 1361.
2. Plaintiff is a member of the Orthodox Jewish
faith, and is an ordained rabbi. Defendants are officials
of the United States of America and this action is brought
against them in their official capacities.
3. Plaintiff is a Captain in the United States Air
Force on active duty, and has been stationed at March Air
4)
Force Base (‘‘March Af'B’’), Riverside, California, since
September 1977. Plaintiff is currently assigned to the
Mental Health Clinic of the Air Force Regional Hospital
at March AFB, where he serves as a clinical psychologist.
4. Orthodox Jewish religious practice requires a Jew-
ish male to keep his head covered at ali times. In observ-
ance of that religious requirement, plaintiff wears a skull
cap (‘‘yarmulke”) at all times.
5. Plaintiff has continuously worn a yarmulke since
prior to his assignment to March AFB. Since his assign-
ment to Mareh AFB in September 1977, plaintiff has con-
tinuously worn a yarmulke, including while he is in uni-
form, as required by his religion.
6. For the three and one-half year period from Sep-
tember 1977, to May 1981, plaintiff’s superior officers at
March AFB raised no objection to his wearing a yarmulke
while in uniform.
7. On May 8, 1981, Colonel Joseph Gregory, the Hos-
pital Commander at March AFB, informed plaintiff that
wearing a yarmulke violated the Air Force’s Dress Code
Regulation (AFR) 35-10. Colonel Gregory ordered plain-
tiff to cease wearing a yarmulke indoors while in uniform
at all places on base, except that plaintiff was specifically
permitted to continue wearing his yarmulke while working
and in uniform at the Regional Hospital located on the
base.
8. Upon receiving the May 8, 1981, order, plaintiff
informed Colonel Gregory that the wearing of a yarmulke
was required by his Orthodox Jewish religion and was a
protected religious observance pursuant to the First
Amendment. Plaintiff requested permission to continue
his previously unchallenged practice of wearing a yar-
6
mulke at all times and in all places while in uniform at
March AFB. Plaintiff’s request was denied.
9. On May 19, 1981, in an effort to avoid litigation,
plaintiff’s counsel contacted the Office of the Air Force
Assistant General Counsel for Manpower and Personnel
Affairs, explained plaintiff’s situation, and requested that
the Air Force continue to permit plaintiff to wear his
yarmulke at all times as he had for the past three and one-
half years. Counsel’s efforts to resolve this matter
through negotiations extended over a period of several
weeks, but were not successful.
10. On June 23, 1981, plaintiff was ordered by Col-
onel Gregory to cease wearing his yarmulke anywhere
while in uniform at March AFB, including the Regional
Hospital. Plaintiff was again informed that wearing a
yarmulke violated AFR 35-10.
11. Plaintiff explained once again the nature of his
religious observance and his desire to continue wearing his
yarmulke at all times, as required by his religion. Plain-
tiff requested permission from Colonel Gregory to appear
for duty in civilian clothes, pursuant to an express exemp-
tion contained in AFR 35-10, so that his wearing of a yar-
mulke would not violate defendants’ interpretation of the
regulation. Plaintiff’s request was denied.
12. On June 24, 1981, plaintiff received a letter of
reprimand from Colonel Gregory for continuing to wear
his yarmulke while in uniform in violation of the June 23
order, and in violation of defendants’ interpretation of
AFR 35-10. Plaintiff has been threatened with additional
sanctions, including a court-martial, for violation of the
~
June 23 order and for violation of defendants’ interpreta-
tion of AF'R 35-10.
13. Following receipt of the letter of reprimand,
plaintiff submitted a written request to Colonel Gregory
that formal processing of the letter of reprimand be de-
layed until June 29, 1981, the date upon which plaintiff’s
military area defense counsel was scheduled to return to
March AFB. Plaintiff’s request was granted.
14. On June 25, 1981, plaintiff was summoned to Col-
onel Gregory’s office and was informed by Colonel Greg-
ory that, in light of plaintiff’s current problems with the
Air Force, resulting from plaintiff’s insistence upon wear-
ing his yarmulke despite the provisions of AFR 35-10,
Colonel Gregory had decided to withdraw a previously posi-
tive recommendation he had submitted in favor of plain-
tiff’s application for a one year extension of his service
in the Air Force, and had, that day, submitted a negative
recommendation on that application.
15. The orders issued to plaintiff prohibiting him
from wearing a yarmulke while in uniform at March AFB
violate the First Amendment of the United States Consti-
tution.
16. Plaintiff has exhausted all meaningful available
channels to postpone enforcement of the June 23 order, or
to have the order withdrawn. There is no further appeal
within the Air Force from the punitive actions taken
against plaintiff and threatened to be taken against plain-
tiff, as specified in paragraphs 7 through 14 of this Com-
plaint.
17. The actions already taken against plaintiff and
the threat of additional sanctions against plaintiff, includ-
ing criminal prosecution, if he does not cease wearing a
yarmmike while in uniform, jeopardize plaintiff’s ability to
observe deeply held religious beliefs, violate the First
Amendment to the United States Constitution, and jeop-
ardize plaintiff’s ability to continue serving in and to be
employed gainfully by the Air Force.
18. Any effort by defendants or anyone acting under
their supervision or control to enforce or apply AFR 35-10
against plaintiff or any enlisted man who wears a yar-
mulke for religious reasons, is an unconstitutional denial
of rights guaranteed by the First Amendment to the United
States Constitution.
WHEREFORE, plaintiff prays that this Court enter
an Order:
1. Declaring that the conduct described in para-
graphs 7 through 14 of this Complaint violates the First
‘Amendment to the Constitution of the United States;
2. Declaring Air Force Dress Code Regulation
(AFR) 35-10 invalid and unlawful as applied to any per-
son who wears a yarmulke for religious reasons;
3. Enjoining the defendants, their agents, subordi-
nates, or anyone acting in concert with them from applying
or enforcing AFR 35-10 against plaintiff or any person
who wears a yarmulke for religious reasons;
4. Directing defendants, their agents, subordinates or
anyone acting in concert with them, to expunge from plain-
tiff’s military records all references to disciplinary action,
sanctions or penalties (including Colonel Gregory’s nega-
tive recommendation concerning plaintiff’s continued mili-
tary service) resulting directly or indirectly from plain-
tiff’s insistence upon wearing a yarmulke, despite the
9
provisions of AFR 35-10;
5. Awarding plaintiff damages, attorneys’ fees and
costs of this action; and
6. Granting such other and further relief as this
Court deems just and proper.
/s/ Nathan Lewin/DJB
Dated: 7/2/81
/8/
MILLER, CASSIDY, LARROCA &
LEWIN
Suite 500
2555 M Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20037
(202) 293-6400
David J. Butler
Robert A. Smith
BROWNSTEIN ZEIDMAN AND
SCHOMER
Suite 900
1025 Connecticut Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20036
(202) 457-6500
Attorneys for Plaintiff
10
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Civil Action No. 81-1522
S. SIMCHA GOLDMAN,
Plaintiff,
v.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, et ai.,
Defendants.
ANSWER
First Defense
The complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief
can be granted.
Second Defense
Plaintiff has failed to exhaust his administrative rem-
edies.
Third Defense
The defendants answer the numbered paragraphs of
the complaint as follows:
1. This paragraph contains plaintiff’s characteriza-
tion of his action, jurisdiction allegations, and conclusions
of law, to which no answer is required, but insofar as an
answer may be deemed to be required, defendants deny.
2. Admit.
3. Defendants admit this paragraph accurately de-
scribes plaintiff’s status in the Air Force on the date the
complaint was filed. Defendants aver that as of Septem-
ber 1, 1981, plaintiff is no longer on active duty in the Air
Force, no longer is assigned to the Air Force Regional
11
Hospital at March Air Force Base. Defendants further
aver that plaintiff still holds a Reserve commission in the
United States Air Force.
4. Deny first sentence. Deny second sentence, except
admit that plaintiff wears a skull cap (‘‘yarmulke’’) at
all times.
5. Admit first sentence. Admit second sentence, ex-
cept deny that wear of the yarmulke is required by plain-
tiff’s religion.
6. Admit.
7. Admit.
8. Admit.
9. Admit.
10. Admit.
11. Admit first sentence, except deny that the wear
of a yarmulke is required by plaintiff’s religion. Admit
second and third sentences.
12. Admit.
13. Admit.
14. Admit.
15. This paragraph contains conclusions of law and
not allegations of fact to which an answer may be deemed
required, but insofar as an answer may be deemed re-
quired, defendants deny. >
16. Admit first sentence. Admit seconc sentence,
except deny there is no further appeal within the Air
Force concerning the letter of reprimand plaintiff has re-
12
ceived. Defendants aver that the Air Foree Board for
Correction of Military Records offers plaintiff a forum
for exhaustion of administrative remedies under 10 U.S.C.
§ 1552 (See 32 C.F.R. § 865.1 et. seq.).
17. This paragraph contains plaintiff’s characteriza-
tion of his action and conclusions of law, to which no an-
swer is required, but insofar as an answer may be deemed
to be required, defendants deny.
18. This paragraph contains plaintiff’s conclusions
of law to which no answer is required, but insofar as an
answer may be deemed to be required, defendants deny.
Defendants are not required to answer plaintiff’s
Prayer of Relief. Answering further, any and all allega-
tions of the Complaint not hereinbefore specifically an-
swered are denied.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Charles F. C. Ruff
United States Attorney
/s/ Royee C. Lamberth
Assistant United States Attorney
/s/ R. Craig Lawrence
Assistant United States Attorney
OF COUNSEL:
FRANCIS S. MORAN, JR.
Major, USAF
General Litigation Division
Office of the Judge Advocate Genera]
Washington, D. C. 20330
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PLAINTIFF’S DEPOSITION EXHIBIT “A”
14
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Civil Action No. 81-1522
S. SIMCHA GOLDMAN,
Plaintiff,
v.
SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, et. al.,
Defendants.
DEFENDANTS’ RESPONSES TO
PLAINTIFF’S INTERROGATORIES
The following responses by defendants to plaintiff’s
interrogatories are served upon plaintiff pursuant to Rule
33, Fed. R. Civ. P.:
2. With respect to plaintiff’s service in the Air Force
from September 1977 through May 7, 1981:
(a) State in detail and with specificity why plaintiff
was permitted to wear his yarmulke while in uni-
form at March Air Force Base during the entire
period;
(b) Describe in detail with specificity, including the
date(s) of and all persons involved in, each and
every adverse comment, reaction or criticism re-
ceived by defendants or any of their agents or
subordinates regarding plaintiff’s wearing of his
yarmulke while in uniform during the entire
period; and
(c) Identify each and every document which relates
directly or indirectly to your answers to this in-
terrogatory.
15
Response to 2.
(a)
(b)
When Captain Goldman came to March AFB in
1977 he kept a low profile in and about the hos-
pital. He did not take his meals in the cafeteria
and did not often leave his duty station at the
mental health clinic. To and from work he wore
his service cap over the yarmulke. In 1978 Col.
Smith, the hospital commander, received a com-
plaint about wearing the yarmulke at the hospital.
He contacted the Surgeon General at HQ SAC
and was advised that it was his decision as com-
mander whether or not to allow it. Col. Smith
decided not to confront Capt. Goldman over the
issue. In August of 1980 Col. Smith was replaced
by Col. Gregory. Col. Gregory questioned wheth-
er or not Capt. Goldman should be allowed to
wear the yarmulke while in uniform. He was
advised by Col. Robert Young, then hospital ad-
ministrator, now a member of HQ SAC/SG staff,
that the previous hospital commander had allowed
it. Because of this Col. Gregory decided not to
confront Capt. Goldman at that time.
In 1978 the hospital commander, Col. Smith, re-
ceived a complaint from CMS. George Johnson,
the NCOIC of nursing services, about Capt. Gold-
man wearing a yarmulke on duty at the hospital.
In April 1981, Maj. Rakowsky received a com-
plaint from Capt. Daniel F. Bouchard, circuit trial
counsel, that Capt. Goldman had appeared to testi-
fy in a court-martial wearing a skull cap. This
complaint was relayed to the hospital commander,
Col. Gregory.
16
(c) Affidavit of CMS. George Johnson dated 23 July
81. Affidavit of Capt. Daniel F. Bouchard dated
16 July 81.
3. With respect to Colonel Gregory’s order issued to
plaintiff on or about May 8, 1981, directing plaintiff to
stop wearing his yarmulke while in uniform at all places
at March Air Force Base other than the Regional Hos-
pital:
(a) Explain in detail and with specificity the basis
for Colonel Gregory’s order;
(b) State whether you maintain that plaintiff’s
wearing of his yarmulke while in uniform at the
Regional Hospital violates the provisions of AFR
35-10;
(c) Identify each and every person with whom Col-
onel Gregory consulted in connection with his de-
cision to issue the May 8, 1981 order to plaintiff;
and
(d) Identify each and every document which relates
directly or indirectly to your answers to this inter-
rogatory.
Response to 3.
(a) Prior to April of 1981 Col. Gregory had been ad-
vised and believed that Capt. Goldman had per-
mission to wear the yarmulke at the hospital. In
April 1981 he was advised that Capt. Goldman
had appeared to testify in a court-martial wear-
ing the yarmulke in violation of AFR 35-10.
Based upon this information and Col. Gregory’s
understanding that Col. Smith had allowed Capt.
17
Goldman to wear the yarmulke at the hospital,
Col. Gregory ordered Capt. Goldman to wear the
yarmulke only at the hospital.
(b) Yes.
(c) Col. Charles C. McDonald
Maj. Ronald J. Rakowsky
Lt. Col. Ledro Justice
Col. James R. Plummer
Col. Julius Archie
(d) Memo dated 8 May 1981.
* . *
5. With respect to Colonel Gregory’s June 23, 1981 order
to plaintiff directing that he remove his yarmulke at all
times and at all places while in uniform:
(a) Explain in detail and with specificity why Col-
onel Gregory changed his order from that initial-
ly issued on May 8, 1981;
(b) Identify each and every individual with whom
Colonel Gregory consulted with respect to the is-
suance of his June 23, 1981 order; and
(c) Identify each and every document which related
directly or indirectly to your answers to this in-
terrogatory.
Response to 5.
(a) From the period of May 8, 1981 to June 23, 1981,
the parties in this dispute were attempting to
reach an acceptable compromise. Col. Plummer,
the installation Chaplain contacted Chaplain
Madden at HQ SAC/HC in order to ascertain
18
whether or not the wearing of a yarmulke was a
requirement of the Jewish Orthodox religion.
Chaplain Madden did not know so Col. Plummer
contacted Rabbi Selwyn G. Geller at HQ ATC/
HC. Rabbi Geller advised Col. Plummer to con-
tact the Jewish Welfare Board (JWB), Col.
Plummer was advised by both Dr. Coram and
Rabbi Messing at the JWB the wearing of a yar-
mulke was highly recommended and encouraged
but as not required. A Rabbi Kobrinetz, USAF
Reserve colonel, was sent to March AFB to speak
with base command personnel and Capt. Goldman
in an attempt to resolve the matter. On June 15,
1981, while Rabbi Kobrinetz was at March AFB,
Col. Gregory was contacted by Brig. Gen. Green-
dyke, HQ SAC/SG, who advised Col. Gregory to
order Goldman not to wear the yarmulke at any-
time while in uniform. Col. Gregory spoke with
Col. McDonald and was advised to take no action
until Rabbi Kobrinetz had had an opportunity to
speak with Captain Goldman. After all attempts
to resolve the matter failed, on June 23, 1981, Col.
Gregory ordered Capt. Goldman not to wear the
yarmulke while in uniform.
(b) Col. Plummer, Maj. Rakowsky, Col. McDonald,
Brig. Gen. Greendyke, Col. (Rabbi) Kobrinetz.
(c) Two memos for record dated 15 June 1981; memo
for record dated 22 June 1981; three memos for
record dated 23 June 1981; order dated 23 June
1981.
6. With respect to Colonel Gregory’s issuance of a letter
of reprimand to plaintiff on June 24, 1981:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
19
State in detail and with specificity why Colonel
Gregory felt it necessary and appropriate to is-
sue a letter of reprimand or to pursue any sanc-
tions against plaintiff for his failure to remove
his yarmulke while in uniform;
Identify each and every individual with whom
Colonel Gregory consulted with respect to the
issuance of a letter of reprimand te plaintiff on
June 24, 1981;
State the substance of each and every discussion
between or among Colonel Gregory and any in-
dividual identified in response to subparagraph
(b) above; and
Identify each and every document which relates
directly or indirectly to your answers to this in-
terrogatory.
Response to 6.
(a)
(b)
On June 23, 1981 Capt. Goldman was given a
direct and lawful order by his commander, Col.
Gregory, not to wear his yarmulke while in uni-
form. On June 24, 1981 Capt. Goldman appeared
in uniform, wearing the yarmulke, in violation of
Col. Gregory’s order and in violation of AFR
35-10. For this reason he received a letter of rep-
rimand for violation of AFR 35-10.
Col. MeDonald, Col. Blaisdale, Col. Plummer, Lt.
Col. Hayslett, Major Rakowsky.
(c) Discussions with the above parties involved the
active participation and advice of Major Ronald
J. Rakowsky in his capacity as legal advisor. The
(d)
20
substance of any discussion is therefore privi-
leged. In one discussion subsequent to the June
24, 1981 letter of reprimand and prior to Capt.
Goldman’s response Col. Gregory spoke with
Col. McDonald and was advised that any action
taken should be commensurate with the offense
and that if Capt. Goldman continued to violate
Col. Gregory’s order and AFR 35-10 future prog-
ressive levels of discipline should be taken.
Two memos for record dated 15 June 1981; memo
for record dated 22 June 1981; three memos for
record dated 23 June 1981; order dated 23 June
1981; two memos for record dated 24 June 1981.
7. With respect to Colonel Gregory’s decision to with-
draw his previously positive recommendation on plain-
tiff’s application for an extension of service in the Air
Force and to substitute, in its stead, a negative recommen-
dation ou that application:
(a)
(b)
State in detail and with specificity why Colonel
Gregory felt it necessary and appropriate to
withdraw his previously positive recommenda-
tion and substitute a negative recommendation
against plaintiff for his failure to remove his yar-
mulke while in uniform;
Identify each and every individual with whom
Colonel Gregory consulted with respect to his
withdrawal of his previously positive recommen-
dation and substitution of a negative recommenda-
tion against pleintiff on June 24, 1981;
(c)
21
State the substance of each and every discussion
between or among Colonel Gregory and any indi-
vidual identified in response to subparagraph (b)
above; and
(d) Identify each and every document which relates
directly or indirectly to your answers to this in-
terrogatory.
Response to 7.
(a) In early May 1981 the Air Force Office of Special
(b)
Investigation (AFOSI) completed an investiga-
tion of Capt. Goldman concerning allegations that
he had received monetary compensation for work
performed off-base during normal duty hours. At
this same time Capt. Goldman went to Col. Greg-
ory with a request to extend his service in order
to apply for indefinite reserve status. Because of
the unfavorable information contained in the
AFOSI report Col. Gregory gave Capt. Goldman
a tentative positive recommendation. When Capt.
Goldman’s subsequent behavior showed a disre-
gard for Air Force regulations and command
authority Col. Gregory decided to withdraw the
tentative recommendation and replace it with a
negative recommendation.
Col. McDonald, Col. Blaisdell, Col. Plummer, Lt.
Col. Hayslett, Major Rakowsky.
(c) The discussions involved the active participation
of Major Ronald J. Rakowsky in his capacity as
legal advisor and the substance of said discus-
sions is privileged.
/
22
(d) AFOSI investigation No. 8118D95-18; letter of
reprimand; request to establish active digest file
with attachments.
____8. Identify each and every person, civilian or military,
who has complained to defendants or any of their agents
concerning plaintiff’s wearing of a yarmulke while in uni-
form at March Air Force Base, and with respect to each
person identified, state the substance of their objections,
the date on which each such objection was made, and to
whom each such objection was made, and identify each and
every document which relates directly or indirectly to your
response to this interrogatory.
Response to 8.
CMS George Johnson, NCOIC of Nursing Services,
complained to Col Lawrence Smith, the hospital com-
mander, in 1978. He related that several of the
younger Air Force members were upset that they
were required to live up to standards of dress and
Grooming while Capt. Goldman was not. In April of
1981 Capt. Daniel F. Bouchard, Cireuit Trial Counsel,
complained to Major Ronald J. Rakowsky, the Staff
Judge Advocate, that Capt. Goldman had appeared
to testify in a court-martial wearing a skull cap in vio-
lation of AFR 35-10. CMS. Johnson has executed an
affidavit dated 23 July 81 and Capt. Bouchard has
executed an affidavit dated 17 July 81. Charles
Thompson (MSgt, retired) sent a letter to Maj. Gen.
Emmanuel, Assistant Deputy Chief of Staff for Man-
power and Personnel, a copy of which is delivered
herewith to plaintiff. H. Katz sent a postcard to Judge
Robinson, ¢/o March Air Force Base, a copy of which
is delivered herewith to plaintiff. Ted Barbee sent
23
a letter to the Secretary of Defense, a copy of which
is delivered herewith to plaintiff.
9. With respect to Air Force Regulation 35-10:
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
State all exemptions which have been permitted
by the Air Force to the express requirements of
AFR 35-10, and identify all individuals who have
requested such exemptions and all documents
which relate directly or indirectly to requests for
such exemptions;
State whether the Air Force allows mini:ters or
other religious functionaries to wear clothing
other than that specified in AFR 35-10, and if so,
describe in detail and with specificity each varia-
tion permitted ;
State whether there are other individuals in the
Air Force whom the Air Force allows to wear a
yarmulke despite the provisions of AFR 35-10,
and, if so, identify each and every such individual ;
State whether the Air Force allows for any relig-
ious observances which violate the express provi-
sions of AFR 35-10 and, if applicable, state in de-
tail and with specificity each and every such re-
ligious observance which the Air Force allows, and
identify each and every person in the Air Force
for whom such variations are granted;
Identify each and every document which relates
directly or indirectly to your answers to this in-
terrogatory.
24
Response to 9.
(a) No exemptions to AFR 35-10 requirements have
been granted to members as a result of their in-
dividual request. While provisions for exemption
exist in the regulation they apply to certain cate-
gories or groups of persons based on medical rea-
sons or operational necessity. Currently, unit
commanders are authorized to exempt individual
members from shaving as part of the medical
treatment for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae (ingrown
hairs). Exemptions are granted based on medi-
cal recommendation and not individual request
and normally do not exceed 90 days. As such, they
are temporary in nature and do not constitute
a permanent change to appearance standards.
Exemption authority for beards is contained in
AFR 35-10, Table 1-1, Line 1.
Additionally, the Commander, Office of Spe-
cial Investigations, has been delegated authority
to exempt dress and grooming requirements for
selected members engaged in investigative and
counterintelligence situations where strict adher-
ence to the standards could compromise the opera-
tions. Waiver requests and approval, dated 29
September 1974, 4 November 1974 and 5 May 1978.
Authority for exemptions in both of the above
cases is delegated to field commanders for use on
an as required basis. Names of members granted
the waivers are not readily available as we have
established no requirement for units to report the
desired data.
(b)
(c)
(d)
25
Chaplains and chapel management personnel wear
vestments, appropriate civilian attire, or the pre-
scribed Air Force uniform when they conduct or
assist with worship services, liturgies and cere-
monies. (para 11, AFR 265-1) These are nor-
mally scheduled occasions, such as Sunday/Sab-
bath services and scheduled services on holy days
established in the liturgical calendar of the re-
ligious group to which the celebrant belongs.
Vestments, or portions thereof, might also be
worn by a chaplain in performance of emergency
rites, such as baptisms, confessions, or last rites
for the dying, which by nature are not scheduled
events. In such cases, wearing of non-uniform
items would be only during the actual perform-
ance of the rite. Vestments of civilian attire worn
for scheduled observances, or portions of such
vestments worn for emergency ministries, are
limited to those prescribed by the religious group
to which the celebrant belongs.
Exemption authority for AFM 35-10 standards of
dress and grooming rests with the Air Force Man-
power and Personnel Center, Randolph Air Force
Base, Texas. No exemption has been granted to
wear a yarmulke. Defendants have recently dis-
covered an individual on active duty, Chaplain
(Rabbi) Fred Lewin, who is known to wear a
yarmulke in uniform. To our knowledge, he has
not applied for nor been granted, an exemption
to do so.
Dress provisions described in paragraph (b)
above although not specifically addressed in AFR
35-10 are permitted during scheduled religious ob-
(e)
26
servances or emergency ministries for the dura-
tion of services only. In addition, chaplains con-
ducting military religious ceremonies give guid-
ance for wear of military headgear. Otherwise,
headgear will not be worn during religious serv-
ices not associated with a military ceremony
(AFR 35-10, paragraph 1-6h (2) (d)). Notwith-
standing this restriction and the prohibition on
wear of non-uniform items with the uniform, wear
of the yarmulke while in uniform is allowed while
attending Sabbath or holy day services. In these
eases, the yarmulke is worn only within the con-
fines of the facility in which the service is held,
and only for the duration of the service.
All documents are referenced in response 9. (a)-
(d), above.
10. State whether the Air Force has made inquiry con-
cerning,
commissioned a study of, or otherwise sought to
determine whether the wearing of yarmulke by an airman
interferes with the Air Force’s performance of its military
mission, and if so, identify each such inquiry, and identify
each and every document which relates directly or indirect-
ly to your answer to this interrogatory.
Response to 10. No
11. Identify all studies made by the Air Force or relied
upon by the Air Force concerning:
(a)
Psychological attitudes which contribute to mili-
tary effectiveness; and
(b) Development and maintenance of intrinsic moti-
vation in the military setting; and
27
(c) The relationship between strict enforcement of
a dress code and discipline, morale, esprit de
corps and mission effectiveness; and
(d) The formation of policies regarding uniformity
of dress by Air Force personnel, including any
harm to the Air Force’s military mission caused
by lack of uniformity.
Response to 11.
It is impossible to determine specifie studies or the
confluence of empirical data upon which defendants can
reasonably state decisions have been based concerning the
four subparagraphs of question 11. However, in an at-
tempt to provide plaintiff with an available source of em-
pirical knowledge in these areas, defendants have attached
hereto listings of studies in each of the four areas, not
necessarily limited to those made by the Air Force. Such
studies are available for production at the Defense Tech-
nical Information Center, Cameron Station, Virginia, and
may be inspected there.
13. State in detail and with specificity the basis upon
which defendants contest the validity and/or authenticity
of plaintiff’s religious belief and practice of wearing a
yarmulke at all times; identify all persons with whom de-
fendants or their agents have consulted with respect to the
validity of plaintiff’s observances and practices; and iden-
tify each and every document which relates directly or in-
directly to your answers to this interrogatory.
Response to 13.
Col. James R. Plummer, the base Chaplain, contacted
Chaplain Madden (HQ SAC/HC), Rabbi Geller (HQ
28
ATC/HC), Dr. Coram (Jewish Welfare Board). He was
advised by Dr. Coram and Rabbi Messing that the wearing
of a yarmulke is a time honored tradition of the Jewish
culture. They further advised that although it is encour-
aged it is not required. Defendant has also been advised
by Rabbi Kobrinetz, a USAF Reserve colonel, that the
wearing of a yarmulke is not required.
The foregoing responses are based upon information fur-
nished by the appropriate staff agencies. I declare under
the penalty of perjury under the laws of the United States
of America that the foregoing is true and correct. Exe-
cuted on August 17 1981.
/s/ Francis S. Moran, Jz. Mason, USAF
General Litigation Division
Office of The Judge
Advocate General
United States Air Force
29
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Civil Action
No. 81-1522
S. SIMCHA GOLDMAN,
Plaintiff,
v.
CASPAR W. WEINBERGER,
Secretary of Defense,
Et Al.,
Defendants,
Washington, D. C.
Thursday, September 10, 1981
The above-entitled cause came on for trial before The
Honorable Aubrey E. Robinson, Jr., United States District
Judge, commencing at 9:42 A.M.
Appearances:
On behalf of the Plaintiff:
David J. Butler, Esq.
Nathan Lewin, Esq.
Robert Smith, Esq.
On behalf of the Defandants:
R. Craig Lawrence, Esq.
Assistant United States Attorney
Maj. Frank Moran, U. S. Air Force
Air Force Litigation Division
30
(p. 10) MR. LAWRENCE: May it please the court:
Iam Craig Lawrence, Assistant United States Attorney. I
represent the defendants in this action.
With me at counsel’s table is Major Frank Moran of
the Air Force Litigation Division. He will assist in the
presentation of the defense.
Your Honor needs very little further introduction into
the case currently before you. The critical question re-
maining for Your Honor’s determination is whether the
Air Force is able to justify the basis for the regulation
and its requirement that uniform dress and appearance
standards are necessary to prepare the Air Force to per.
form its mission.
Your Honor, we will call three witnesses. Those wit-
nesses will reflect in two parts.
General Usher will testify briefly with regard to
mission impact and the necessity for the regulation.
(p. 11) Chief Master Sergeant Matthews will tes-
tify as to, in particular, reactions to the determinations
which have been made as a result of the awareness of
Captain Goldman’s wearing of the yarmulke.
And, finally, Chaplain Reeves will testify briefly
about religious practices and traditional dresswear of
other religions.
Your Honor, on that basis, the defendants would call
their first witness, Major General Usher, to the stand.
The Court. Very well.
31
(p. 12) Direct Examination
BY MR. LAWRENCE:
Q. General Usher, would you please state your full
name for the record.
A. Iam Major General William R. Usher.
Q. General Usher, how long have you been in the Air
Force approximately?
A. I have been in the Air Force about 26 years.
Q. General Usher, would you please briefly describe
your educational background.
A. Iam a graduate of Yale University with a degree
in Economies, and I have a master’s degree from Harvard
University Graduate School of Business Administration.
And I am also a graduate of the Armed Forces Staff
College.
Q. General Usher, if you would, please, for the court
briefly describe what the mission of the Air Force is
today.
A. The United States Air Force, of course, is an in-
strument of national security of our nation and is respon-
sible for, in concert with the other military services, de-
fending this nation against our enemies.
In short, that means conducting combat operations
against an enemy.
Q. What goes into the makeup of a fighting force
or a (p. 13) combat ready fighting force, in particular, the
_Air Force?
32
A. I think the essence of a successful combat force,
of course, involves equipment sufficient to carry into bat-
tle to the enemy, weapons which are effective; but, most
important, it involves people who are highly trained,
motivated, disciplined, and molded into a fighting unit.
Q. General Usher, what part does teamwork play
in the makeup of a combat ready fighting force?
A. Teamwork is certainly extremely important, in-
deed, in many respects, it is the cutting edge.
If I can use, for example, in Air Force combat opera-
tions, for instance, we are very much involved in maxi-
mizing the number of sorties that we get out of aircraft.
What we want to be able to do is to carry that fight
to the enemy as much as we possibly can.
What we are much engaged in then is putting together
a sort of a well-oiled machine of people, a team, if you
will, when an aircraft lands from a mission, to immediate-
ly refuel it and so forth, rearm it, and get it on its way
again.
That requires a very high degree of teamwork that
has to be practiced a great deal in peacetime to meet needs
in wartime.
Q. General Usher, what part does motivation play
in the makeup of an effective combat ready fighting force?
A. Well, again, it is part of that cutting edge.
(p. 14) We are a volunteer force, and that is initial
element, if you will, of motivation; and the people come
into the air force voluntarily. And, of course, when they
do so, they do agree to adhere to certain standards.
33
But to the point of motivation per se, we know that
in combat operations that willingness to give the extra
effort, the willingness to do that which is above and be-
yond, more often than not results in success in combat.
Q. General Usher, where does discipline come into
play in the makeup of an effective fighting force?
A. Well, of course, combat inevitably involves
people’s lives; and both for commanders and subordinates,
discipline is just absolutely essential because you are ask-
ing people to do things that may result in them being in-
jured, them being wounded, and them losing their lives.
And you have to be sure again that this teamwork
approach works, that it does not break down, that every-
body knows their task, they carry it out in a truly obedient
way, and according to the way they have been taught.
You must be able to rely on them. Otherwise, if you
cannot, the combat effectiveness of the unit will break
down and you are thereby endangering a lot more lives.
Q. General Usher, where does esprit de corps fit into
the makeup of an effective combat ready fighting force?
A. Well, we know from experience that people who
are (p. 15) proud of their organization, who are not only
caused to subordinate their personal interests to the pur-
poses and mission of the organization, but do so willingly
and do so as a voluntary matter that they want to serve the
purposes of the mission and are proud to do that, then
we know we have a more effective fighting unit.
Q. General Usher, what part does image play in the
preparation and readiness of a combat ready fighting
force?
34
A. Well, of course, we are a public institution; and
all of our members, because we are a uniformed service
and people anywhere they go—around here or anyplace—
we represent the United States Air Force.
And we represent the United States Government, its
officers and men of a uniformed service.
Now, we are in the business, of course, of recruiting
people from the American public. We are in the process of
gaining public support for the kinds of things that we do
in peacetime and then in wartime. And we are in the
business of trying to retain those people in our military
service after we have invested great amounts of money in
training them and so forth.
So when people look at us, they think, ‘‘well, there is
an example of who is in the Air Force or the Army or the
Navy and what have you.”
And so our public image is very important to sustain-
ing the United States Air Force as a force, as attracting
good (p. 16) people, retaining good people, and thereby
having top quality people who are proud of their organiza-
tion and so forth that they will be a more effective fighting
force than if we were less than that.
Q. General Usher, are you familiar, in general, with
the requirements of Air Force Regulation 35-10?
A. Yes, I am.
Q. Would you briefly describe what the regulation
requires.
A. The regulation is many pages long. It sets up in
quite extensive detail what the requirements are for the
35
wearer of the uniform, men and women in the active and
reserve forces of the United States Air Force.
And it states as its purpose that, of course, we are a
uniformed force; anc ., I have just outlined, that pride
and esprit and discipline and that sort of thing is impor-
tant, and it is manifested in the wearer of the uniform.
Again, it portrays the subordination of personal in-
terests to the purpose of the organization, which is essen-
tial for an effective military force.
Q. General Usher, are there exceptions to the re-
quirements, dress and appearance requirements, of AFR
35-10?
A. Yes, there are a few.
First of all, for instance, if an individual were to be
injured or wounded in combat or something like that,
(p. 17) of course, a person would Necessarily, because they
did not have an alternative, would have to depart from a
strict reading of Air Force Regulation 35-10 with respect
to the wearer of the uniform.
Q. Could you give an example, General Usher?
A. Well, let us say that somebody was wounded in
his arm or something like that, and it required him to wear
a sling, Air Force Regulation 35-10,<n general, does not
call for exceptions. The general rule is that you will ad-
here to the regulation, for instance, that only authorized
combinations are allowed to be worn.
You will not wear items that are not called for in the
regulations; and that people, while they are on duty, in
fact, will adhere to the stipulations that are in the regu-
lations.
36
On the other hand, if you had somebody who was
wounded in the arm and he had to wear a sling, obviously,
that sling is not part of the uniform; it is not technically
allowed in 35-10; but on the other hand, really, the indi-
vidual would have no choice.
And, furthermore, we would want him to do that be-
cause we would like to get—let us say, it is his left arm and
he is right-handed, and he might be able to do some limited
amount of work by writing and so forth, even though he
would be restricted perhaps in some other activities.
(p. 18) In other words, we could get some useful serv-
ice out of him, which would be important particularly in a
wartime situation, whereas he is not strictly following
35-10.
Q. That is a general exception that you just dis-
cussed that would apply also in peacetime, would it not?
A. It would.
Q. General Usher, are there any religious excep-
tions to the requirements of 35-101
A. There is one exception in 35-10. This is as it is
stated: It says when somebody is participating in a re-
ligious service, that the chaplain in charge of that service
may specify the headgear to be worn by individuals while
they are participating in that religious service. But it is
limited to that.
Q. Are there other religious exceptions, General
Usher?
A. No, sir, there are not.
37
Q. General Usher, what part do the dress and ap-
pearance standards of the regulation play in the disci-
pline of a combat ready fighting force?
A. Well, again, I would like to go back to what I
said earlier.
When people come into the Air Force, they do so vol-
untarily. The military is different from the rest of so-
ciety. We do, when we come in voluntarily, agree to take
on certain obligations and we agree to give up certain
rights with respect to complete freedom of speech and so
forth.
(p. 19) And we do this because, again, we know that
to be successful in combat—that is their only real purpose
for being in existence—it is necessary to subordinate the
personal tastes and interests to the purpose of the organi-
zation.
And while one of the most effective ways we have
found throughout history and it has been confirmed
in combat is that you put people in the same uniform; you
standardize; you require them to be part of that organiza-
tion, be part of that team which has been designed and put
together as an effective combat unit.
Q. What happens to discipline when you depart from
those uniform standards?
A. Well, when you depart from that, - start an
erosion process.
For instance, if we have in a particular case—here, we
have an officer who is not following the regulation; and
we have some evidence to indicate that NCO’s on the same
base felt that that or believed that that eroded their author-
38
ity to enforce other regulations upon their subordinates
and so forth.
Now, it sets a bad example. It is a departure from
the standards and norms that are expected.
Now, from a subordinate’s standpoint, what you typi-
cally hear—in cases that I have been familiar with over
my career—is to say, “why are you giving me an Article 15
because I was 15 minutes late to work when so-and-so, you
know, is not (p. 20) even wearing the uniform properly?”
or ‘‘he is not doing that.”
You have to have consistency and fairness in order to
insure discipline across the board. If you do not have that,
discipline begins to break down.
And as I pointed out earlier, discipline is just abso-
lutely essential to success in combat. You cannot have
people deciding whether they want to carry out an order
under fire or not; otherwise, you would place great num-
bers of people and their lives in jeopardy.
Q. General Usher, what part do the standards of
AFR 35-10 play in the motivation of an effective combat
ready fighting force?
A. I think primarily the medium of pride. And we
have, I think, an attractive and distinctive uniform. We
have tried to keep it plain and simple and so forth over
the years.
I think it is recognized by the public and by people
of other countries because of humanitarian missions and
things that we carry out as a symbol of what is good and
just and so forth in the United States.
39
And we try to pass that tradition, that feeling, on to
the individual.
And, therefore, you cannot have somebody deciding
that he wants to wear the uniform or parts of it this way
or add this to it or take that away from it. You need that
(p. 21) standardization in order to engender that pride;
and that pride, in turn, engenders motivation.
Q. General Usher, what part do the standards of
AFR 35-10, being the uniform dress and appearance stan-
dards, play in your teamwork in the makeup of a combat
ready righting force?
A. Well, if I can again use the example of the re-
turning airplane. One of the key elemerts of that is the
weapons-loading crew, for instance; and we are talking
about fatigues or field uniform.
But they all know that they are part of that team, and
they all have the same uniform distinguished by rank, and
they know who is in charge; they know who is subordinate.
They know their relationship; they know what they
have to do.
They are trained together, and that uniform just helps
with that standardization and it helps build that unit’s
prestige.
Q. In that regard, your flight line, I guess, that you
are talking about—is there a safety aspect involved?
A. There is very definitely; and, in fact, that is cover-
ed in Air Force Regulation 35-10.
Again, the necessity for standardization comes in here.
If an individual is wearing extraneous things of one kind
40
or another, there is both a safety consideration and there is
a monetary consideration.
(p. 22) For instance, let us say we will not let people
wear caps of any kind on a flight line or anywhere near a
jet engine.
Q. Why is that?
A. Well, for instance, if it were injected into the
engine, a couple of things could happen: First of all, an
F-15 AF engine costs well over a zillion dollars a copy
and it could absolutely destroy an engine. That is the
first thing.
The second thing is there is the possibility the engine
might blow up and cause injury or death to other people
associated with it, maintaining or flying the aircraft.
So we have to be very, very careful that people adhere
to our standards there from a safety standpoint.
Q. General Usher, what part do the standards of
AFR 35-10 play in maintaining the Esprit De Corps in a
combat ready fighting force?
A. Well, again, the tradition of the uniform is a
long one with the Air Force. Since we have been in exist-
ence, we have had very, very minor alterations to the ap-
pearance of the uniform ever since we became an accepted
service in 1947.
Of course, rank is very important to the hierarchial
nature of a military force. Ribbons and combat decora-
tions that our people wear are representative of their ex-
perience, their valor, their courage in battle, and so forth.
And all of these things are the marks of achievement
in a military organization.
41
(p. 23) And another thing that is not a part of that,
tends to depart from that, to divert from that. And it is
recognized by an individual’s peers, subordinates, super-
iors, by the public, by foreigners as being the epitome of
people in the United States Air Force.
While that builds amongst members of the Air Force,
as I say, pride, esprit, they recognize them as they are
part of an organization which is well respected throughout
this land and others. And they then take pride, and they
want to be high performers, if you will, in that organiza-
tion.
Q. General Usher, how does one person’s departure
from Uniform Dress and Appearance Standards, as man-
dated by Air Force Regulation 35-10, affect the ability of
the Air Force to perform its mission?
A. I think—in the final analysis, I think it is a mat-
ter of where you draw the line.
We have set standards as the regulation itself points
out. We have; we have set standards because everybody
has personal standards and tastes and what have you, but
being a public institution, we have to set those standards
for all who are members.
So if one person departs from that, you are setting
in motion a process where, if they are not broughi back
to that standard, you are then saying that you accept that.
And then others will come to you and say, “well, look,
(p. 24) I have got a particular thing that I would like to
do and why cannot I do that?”
So it begins to unravel; in other words, you cannot
draw a line. You have to begin to accept other deviations,
42
if you will, from the established standard. And I do not
know where it would end.
As I pointed out earlier, the other consideration is
that, again, it influences discipline. Because then, if you
allow this kind of a deviation on the part of an individual,
particularly by an individual who is an officer and who is
meant to be the epitome of a standard, the example, then
it is very difficult then to enforce other kinds of standards
or the dress standard itself on other people that are mem-
bers of the Air Force by supervisors and commanders.
Q. Thank you, General Usher.
MR. LAWRENCE: I have no further questions at
this time, Your Honor.
Cross-Examination
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. General Usher, what is your specific position
right now?
A. I am the Director of Personnel Plans at Head-
quarters, United States Air Force, in Washington, D. C.
Q. So you are located here at the Pentagon in Wash-
ington?
A. That is right.
(p. 25) Q. And have you been at any time in charge
of March Air Force Base?
A. No, I have not.
Q. Have you been involved svecifically with any
decisions that the Air Force made concerning the case of
Captain Goldman?
43
A. In the sense of being aware of the kind of the
case and being aware of the contents and so forth.
As far as deciding if you are leading to whether we
should settle the case out of court or in court, no, that was
not my decision.
Q. In terms of command decisions, the whole question
of how one deals with Captain Goldman’s situation, was
not, in fact, under your supervision in any way, was it?
A. No, not under my supervision and—no, it is not.
Q. And do you have any personal knowledge of the
consequences of Captain Goldman’s having worn his yar-
mulke while he was at March Air Force Base—personal
knowledge?
A. Just from what I have read from the statements
that have been brought before in court.
Q. So you are essentially testifying here regarding
general desirability of Air Force regulations. Is that cor-
rect?
A. I am testifying here to what our regulations are
and why they are the way they are, what the standards
are.
Q. But with regard to this particular case, you (p. 26)
understand, General Usher, do you not, that it involves the
question of whether a particular member of the Orthodox
Jewish faith in March Air Force Base should be permitted
to wear a skulleap which he wears for religious reasons?
Do you understand that that is the issue in this particular
case?
THE COURT: Well, it may be.
44
But the reason we are having a trial, as I indicated
to you at the outset of this litigation, is that without bring-
ing this into a class action status, what goes for Goldman
is going to go for all the other Orthodox Jews in the Air
Force...
MR. LEWIN: Yes, Your Honor.
THE COURT: .. .For all practical purposes. There
is a legal proposition.
Otherwise, we go on endlessly as the Goldmans in the
Air Force, the Navy, and the Army choose to litigate this
on an individual basis.
It was the Court’s opinion that they should not have
that burden, nor should the Department of Defense
or any of the services have to bear that burden end-
lessly, especially in view of the fact that we are now
going into draft registration where more and more people
ultimately will be affected.
And I think it is the kind of situation that dissolves
a finite resolution with all of the services, all of the pros-
pective members of the Air Force, to know exactly where
they stand vis-a-vis their alleged Constitutional rights.
(p.27) MR.LEWIN: Yes, Your Honor.
THE COURT: To me, that is an orderly way to re-
solve the issue.
So that, in a sense, we are concerned about Captain
Goldman because it is his case that allows us to address
this in an orderly fashion.
This is why there is no particular dispute as to what
happened to him. That is why the government’s admis-
45
sions, the Secretary of Defense’s admissions, are as candid
and as clear as they should be.
MR. LEWIN: Yes, Your Honor.
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. Your testimony, General Usher, is directed, as my
notes indicate, to various particular justifications for an
Air Force dress code in general. Is that right?
A. That is correct.
Q. Now, are these specific items that you listed, which
I think come down to discipline, teamwork, motivation,
esprit de corps, and image—are they based on any specific
study that the Air Force has made in this case?
A. Not to my knowledge.
And I would not think that a study would be required;
I would think that experience in several wars would be ade-
quate.
Q. And your conclusions in that regard, that you
have testified to, are they based on any particular back-
ground in (p. 28) psychology, say?
THE COURT: ‘Well, let me interject.
As I understood General Usher, these are not his
personal conclusions. These are the conclusions of the
United States Air Force, who General Usher represents.
So this does not get into situations of what General
Usher’s views are.
THE COURT: You are now speaking for the United
States Air Force?
THE WITNESS: That is correct.
46
THE COURT: All right.
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. In answer to His Honor’s question, you said you
are speaking for the Air Force. Are these particular items
that you enumerated enumerated in some Air Force study
based on, say, an expert evaluation of any kind of psycholo-
gists or any thing of that kind?
A. Not to my specific knowledge, although they may
be.
I am sure the characteristics that I talked about are
alluded to in probably numerous Air Force publications,
you know, associated with an effective combat force.
Q. I understand.
But is it fair to say that the Air Force has not done any
psychological study of the effects of any individuals’ de-
parture from the dress code?
(p. 29) A. Not to my knowledge.
Again, I think our experience has put us in good stead
here so that we understand...
Q. All right.
You say “Not to your knowledge.” You are the direc-
tor of personnel vlans. Is that right?
A. That is correct.
Q. So, essentially, it would be your function to be
looking into questions—planning regarding personnel,
manpower?
A. By all means.
47
Of course, we have limited resources: and there are
certain things that you know that go on.
And, as I say, on the basis of experience—and I am
not sure whether an empirical study would necessarily add
to this question.
Q. Well,...
A. We know through the medium, for instance, if I
can give you an example, through the medium of periodic
operational readiness inspections in peacetime as well as
actual combat experience, I think which many of us have
including myself, I think we know beyond doubt what it
takes to make an effective combat force.
Another thing comes to mind—and I do not know if it
hits the point you are trying to make—but you may recall
back in the early seventies where there were difficulties
on (p. 30) board a couple of Navy ships.
A subsequent congressional investigation for one
thing pointed out that discipline had lapsed below accept-
able standards; and part of it was a general slovenliness
and departures from Navy uniform regulations that they
thought contributed to that.
So i think there is ample evidence to support my as-
sertions with respect to the purpose of the service.
Q. But would you agree with me, General Usher, that
with regard to the question of whether an exception to
dress code requirements would affect military discipline,
if that exception were based on religious needs, that
there is realiy—there are really three separate questions:
one is whether a dress code is required and is useful—
48
that is the first question, and that was the main question
you were addressing your attention to. Is that correct?
A. That is correct.
Q. The second question would be whether an excep-
tion for a religiously-required form of dress would injure
or harm discipline in any way.
That is a second separate question, is it not, rather,
distinguished from the first?
A. Well, we do not—we are not attempting through
our regulation or anything to abridge anybody’s religious
freedom.
Q. All right.
(p. 31) A. And we are not—we do not distinguish, in
other words, between somebody who would do this for re-
ligious purposes or who would do it for any other purpose.
We are saying that, you know, that we have to set
standards for various reasons that I have mentioned.
Q. All right.
A. And those standards are there, and we expect
everybody who voluntarily—and everybody who is in the
Air Force is there as a volunteer and always has been, by
the way—that they will accept those standards.
Q. All right.
But you will agree with me, though, that it is possible
to consider a subsidiary question of whether a religious
exemption would interfere with military discipline? That
that could be considered as a separate question—would
you agree with that?
49
A. Again, I will not agree with the question as
stated because I say that our position is that we do not
make any exception on religious grounds. Of course, we do
not distinguish between religious and other grounds.
Q. You do not distinguish between religious and non-
religious grounds?
A. That is correct.
Q. All right.
And in that regard, in terms of your own func-
tion (p. 22) or any functions that you work on within the
Air Force, have you considered the impact of the First
Amendment to the United States Constitution in any way,
the provision which requires that the United States guar-
antee the free exercise of religion?
A. Here, of course, we do not believe that our uni-
formed standards, in fact, abridge those rights in any way.
People are still free to practice their religion as they
see fit. And I think, in fact, to get ahead of your point, I
think there is a considerable expert opinion that says that,
in fact, it is not necessary to wear the yarmulke to prac-
tice Orthodox Judaism during the time of employment.
Q. But you will agree that you are not an expert on
that?
A. Iam not an expert, but I have, in fact, read what
others have said. And we have got a lot of Orthodox Jews
in the Air Force who do not see any necessity of wearing
the yarmulke while they are being employed by the Air
Force.
Q. General Usher, with regard to the first question,
the general need for the dress code, you say that experi-
ee eT
50
ence in fighting wars has demonstrated that it is neces-
sary to have adress code. Is that correct?
A. Both in wartime primarily, as I mentioned, but
also in peacetime as well.
Q. You are familiar with the fact that there have
been very successful battles or wars fought by, indeed,
United States troops or American troops when there was
really no effective (p. 33) dress code?
A. That is correct. But I think also warfare has
changed since then, too.
Q. But there was substantial...
A. Sure.
Q. ... if one thinks specifically of the revolutionary
forces, for example?
A. That is right.
Q. Would you agree with me that they had substan-
tial esprit de corps?
A. I would.
Q. Would you agree with me that they had substan-
tial motivation?
A. Most of the time.
Q. Would you agree with me that in terms of their
image, so far as the Colonists were concerned, that their
image was good?
A. In some respects, but let us deal with that for a
moment.
Q. Fine.
d1
A. In some respects, they did not have an alternative.
There was not any money to buy uniforms or anything like
that. We did not have a real independent United States
of America.
We did not have worldwide responsibilities. We were
not looked upon by people from other countries as a fight-
ing (p. 34) foree; we were looked upon as a revolutionary
force, not defenders of freedom around the world.
I think the context is entirely different...
Q. Because we did not...
A. ...from the present day.
Q. Because we did not have the funds to purchase
uniforms?
A. That is one of the reasons, but I think the con-
text is entirely different. I do not think your comparison
is all that apropos.
Q. Well, in modern times, do you know of military
forces which are effective even when they permit religious
adherents to wear yarmulkes, for example?
A. Iam sure there may well be.
Q. Like the Israeli Air Force. Do you know about
the Israeli Air Force...
A. Well, the Israeli Air Force, that may well be;
and perhaps you may find that there are other cases.
But we are dealing with an American fighting force,
which I think—the Israeli Air Force, for example, is a
unique and peculiar situation where you have basically a
religious state. We do not have that here.
52
We have people from all religious beliefs, walks of
life, and some with no religious beliefs that are members
of our armed forces. I think we have to take that into ac-
count.
(p. 35) Again, we have to deal with that public image,
the American public expectations of their fighting forces,
which is essentially different.
Q. I understood you to testify, General Usher, that
the key reason why an exception or a departure from
AFR 35-10 would affect the Air Force, is that other people
would view it as a violation of military discipline and it
would be impossible to draw the line. Is that correct?
A. That is correct essentially.
Q. In fact, if there were an exception for religious-
belief-motivated departures from Air Force code, Air
Force dress code, then such departures would be authorized
by the regulations, would they not?
A. Presumably.
Q. And, consequently, people who would wear cloth-
ing such as a yarmulke, which is a departure from the Air
Foree code pursuant to that exception, would not be vio-
lating the Air Force regulation. Is that right?
A. If specifically authorized, yes, sir.
Q. So in those circumstances, it would be clear to
other personnel that those departures are not violations
of discipline but are, in fact, permitted by the Air Force?
A. But it might be very difficult to explain that to
people who hold different beliefs?
d3
They might feel that, in fact, we were making an (p.
36) unique exception.
What would you say to somebody who said, “look, I
have a religious belief where I have to wear a saffron
‘“‘robe”? Would you go along with that?
Q. Have you, General Usher, in your—how many
years?—is it 27 years in the Air Force?—encountered any
Air Force enlisted man or commissioned officer who wishes
to wear a saffron robe for religious reasons?
A. No, I have not, but I have heard of instances
where people wanted to do other things with respect to
what they could wear with their uniform.
Q. For religious reasons?
A. In some cases some of them espoused religious
beliefs, you know, like wearing combs and things like that,
saying that that is part of their religious belief.
I have not personally been involved in a case, but I
have heard about an inference.
Q. All right.
Is there any other case that you know that you have
been personally involved that has involved a request to
wear a different article of clothing for religious reasons?
A. Not personally involved, no.
Q. And you say you have heard of other cases. What
is the most extreme case you have heard of ?
A. I think probably the most extreme case that I am
(p. 37) aware of is the request by practicing members of
the Sikh religion, for instance, to wear a beard, to wear
a turban and so forth.
54
Q. Sikh? That is S-I-K-H?
A. That is correct.
Q. Are there any members of the Sikh religion, to
your knowledge, in the Air Force?
A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. Have you ever heard of any members of the Sikh
religion, to your knowledge, in the Air Force?
A. Not to my knowledge.
Q. Have you ever heard of any members of the Sikh
religion being in the Air Force?
A. I have not learned it for a fact. It has been told
to me that they are, but I do not know for a fact that they
are.
Q. Are you familiar with the fact that the United
States Army did for a substantial period of time permit
members of the Sikh religion...
A. Iam.
Q. ...to wear a beard?
A. And also...
Q. And that the Air Force—or that the Army has
recently repealed that exemption?
A. That is correct.
(p. 38) They rethought that proposition.
Q. I see.
A. ‘And they decided to return to the standard es-
sentially the same as our own.
as)
Q. Do you know of any particular incidents in the
Army’s experience that has shown that applying that
exemption has caused specific breaches of discipline or
has undermined esprit de corps in any way?
A. I think you would have to talk to somebody from
the Army. I am not familiar with that. I cannot speak
for the Army in that regard.
Q. Well, you would agree, would you not, that per-
sonal tastes not based on religion can be distinguished
from religious obligations or religious compulsions of some
kind that someone feels?
A. No, Ido not.
Q. You do not believe so?
A. No.
Q. You do not believe they can be distinguished?
A. Because you will find and I think you will prob-
ably hear of it later this morning about a survey that we
did, that our chaplains did.
And in that, at least—I know I was surprised at all
of the sects and denominations and so forth, the number—
and some of them, I guess, to some people might be almost
personal (p. 39) taste.
But I think human nature, being what it is, some peo-
ple would be prone te say, “Well, this is really a matter
of personal taste. I have my own personal religion. And
I believe in it very strongly. And, therefore, my personal
religion requires that I wear or do something that would
be a departure from the uniform standards.”
56
And I think we have to be able to deal with such a
situation like that.
Let us say we do not make any exceptions under the
regulations for—even though Orthodox Judaism is well
recognized around the world, but there are sects that are
much smaller and can even get down to one person.
Q. The Air Force does provide religious services,
religious advisors for its personnel?
A. It does.
Q. And in that regard, it has chaplains?
A. It does.
Q. And provides religious services?
A. It does.
Q. At Air Force bases?
A. That is correct.
Q. Would you agree with me that that is a recogni-
tion of the fact that religion is distinguishable from just
simply matters of personal taste?
(p. 40) A. No, again, I would not because, again,
you know, we are constrained as to the number of re-
sources that we have. I am sure that there are some sects
or denominations that are, in fact, not represented in the
United States Air Force Chaplains’ Corps because there
probably would not be enough individuals in the total Air
Force to merit having chaplains in that denomination.
But I do not—so I do not agree with you that that
necessarily is a conclusive criterion for deciding what is,
57
you know, a religious belief and what is not—what is a
legitimate religious belief and what is not. 24
Q. Well, I am not asking you the difference between
a legitimate religious belief and a non-legitimate religious
belief.
I am asking you whether you would agree with me that
the Air Fores, indeed the United States, does recognize
that religion or religious obligations are different simply
for matters such as personal taste.
Indeed, it may be required to do so by the United
States Constitution, but that is a matter for His Honor.
But I am asking you whether it is not a fact that the
Air Force by providing religious services and religious
chaplains recognizes that religion is a different status or
different category from simply matters of personal
taste.
A. Yes, I think under the way you put it there, I
think, (p. 41) yes, we recognize that religion is something
more than a matter of personal taste.
The point I am trying to make is that, in fact, trying
to distinguish between personal taste and what I might
consider personal taste; and to the individual that I am
talking to, it might be a deeply-held religious belief; and
we would be at an impasse, I guess, in deciding who was
right.
So, hence, our regulation is formulated on the basis
that we do not make exceptions for any belief.
Q. Do you think that it is important for the Air
Force to teach its personnel as well respect for American
traditions, such as freedom of religion?
A. Certainly.
Q. And if, in fact—and you would agree with me that
the providing of the religious services educates Air Force
personnel on the fact that there are within this country
different religious faiths and people who are adherents
to different religious beliefs?
A. Well, it does by example.
Well, of course, any individual’s participation in any
of the religious services is totally voluntary.
Q. I understand that.
A. That is not a requirement.
Q. But it is a part of Air Force tradition to demon-
strate to its personnel that diversity of religious beliefs is
(p. 42) tolerated?
A. By all means.
In our social assets dedication program, we point
that out. We do the same thing for various ethnic groups
and so forth.
Q. And, nonetheless, it is your testimony that if Air
Force personnel were told that an individual wears a smal]
skulleap because he is a member of the Orthodox Jewish
faith, that would undermine discipline rather than foster
respect for diversity of religious belief?
A. Yes, I believe it would run the risk of undermin-
ing discipline. It is not generally associated with Orthodox
Judaism.
It is the fact that we are making an exception for one
religion or for one, you know, it could be for one organiza-
tion and it may not be a religious organization.
59
But if you make those kinds of exceptions, then you
begin to erode the standards which you have accepted.
Because then other religious sects would be able to
come to us and say, “how about us?”
And we would have to say, I would think, out of fair-
ness, if we believed that your premise is a deeply-held
belief and so forth, that I think we would have to accom-
modate that.
Q. Andisthat...
A. And I feel that if you go on, pretty soon we do
not (p. 43) have a uniform service. We have people that
are wearing all different kinds of things.
And I think then the purpose that we serve by being
a uniform service with missions and goals and so forth
are no longer served to the degree that they could other-
wise be.
Q. As the Air Force’s Director of Personne! Plan-
ning, could you tell us, General Usher, what the maximum
number of people in the Air Force in your estimation are
today who have some religious belief that would affect
the clothing that they wear in violation of Air Force dress
code?
A. No, Ido not.
Q. Do you have any idea?
A. No, I do not because, you know, you are asking
me an unknown unknown.
I think until some of those pecple came forward—I
think we have done a survey as to what the various re-
60
ligious sects practiced in the country and so forth ask their
members to do with regard to dress.
Now, which of those might choose to come forward,
which would choose not—I just do not know. I mean you
are asking me to speculate about something I have no way
of giving you any useful answer.
Q. The numbers could be counted on the fingers of
one hand? You do not know?
A. No, I doubt that it could be limited to that.
(p. 44) Q. On what basis? On what basis do you
doubt that?
A. Well, just because the survey showed we are talk-
ing about 60 to 100 or so sects; we are talking about, oh,
perhaps—I am not sure I can recall the figures accurately ;
but there are a dozen or so specific dress requirements.
And I would expect some percentage of those to come for-
ward, and I would expect that some percentage—they rep-
resent some percentage of the Air Force who are adherents
to that sect.
Q. So your conclusions in that regard are based on
that survey that Chaplain Reeves, is it, will testify about?
A. That is right.
That is one of the inputs that has todo...
Q. Are there any other bases for that conclusion that
there will be other people who will come forward in sub-
stantial numbers and...
A. Well, as I understand it from the Army, in the
ease of the Sikhs, there were at least, I think, 12 or 15,
61
perhaps a little more than the fingers of one hand. That
is correct.
Q. That there were 12 or 15 at one time?
A. That is correct, that is what I understand.
Q. And where did you get that information?
A. I just got that information from—some informa-
tion that was passed to me by a member of my staff. That
is all.
Q. And is it your testimony that granting exemp-
tions, whether they be for a skulleap or a beard for re-
ligious reasons, (». 45) would prevent the Air Force from
defending the nation against its enemies.
A. I am not saying that it prevents the Air Force
from defending the nation against its enemies.
What I am saying is that. . .
Q. Ido not think you have to repeat your testimony.
I am just asking you in terms of the conclusion.
A. My conclusion is that you do not do as effective
job at it...
Q. Isee.
A. ... By allowing an erosion of the standards that
you set.
Q. Itis somewhat less effective?
A. That is correct.
Q. But just to go back just to one point, you have
agreed, I think, that there have been instances in our past
where American fighting forces did very well even with
62
totally diverse uniforms without even limited to religious
exemption ?
A. But in a situation that is not very relevant to
fighting warfare in the modern context.
Q. Well, would it surprise you to learn that George
Washington himself agreed that it would be an effective
fighting force simply to wear Indian outfits?
A. That would not surprise me.
Q. It would not surprise you.
(p.46) Soitis...
A. Again, I say the context is considerably different
than in a modern-day situation where we have a peacetime
armed forces in the United States of over 2.2 million,
which is, of course, as I think if my memory serves me
correctly, more than the entire population of the United
States at that time.
Q. How many people are there in the Air Force?
What is the total number?
A. Approximately 560,000 people.
Q. There have been personnel in the Air Force who
have worn a yarmulke. Is that right? Captain Goldman
and I think someone else is mentioned in your answers to
interrogatories.
A. There may be others, yes.
Q. Do you know of any incident where that in some
way led to a breakdown of morale or discipline?
A. Idonot think that is the point I am making.
63
The point that I am making is that if you allow this
example to stand up, you then begin to have to allow other
examples.
Or, you get into the situation where people point out
to you, ‘There is somebody violating the regulation. Why
do I have to adhere to that regulation or to another regu-
lation?’’
Q. It is undisputed, and the government has con-
ceded, that for three and a half years Captain Goldman
wore his (p. 47) yarmulke at March Air Force Base.
And I ask you, General Usher, whether during that three
and a half year period were you here at the Pentagon?
A. Iwas here part of the time.
Q. Were you in your present position?
A. Part of the time, yes.
Q. Would you, in that position—did you, in that
position, at any time hear of a single individual who had
requested, based on Captain Goldman’s wearing his yar-
mulke, permission to wear some religiously-motivated
garb?
A. No, I did not have an occasion before me during
that period of time.
Q. And, to your knowledge, did any case come before
anyone else in the Pentagon based on his wearing his yar-
mulke for three and half years?
A. I cannot speak for the chaplains. They may have,
but not to my particular knowledge.
Again, my point is that we have people who do not
follow our regulations. That does not legitimatize what
64
they do just simply because they did not adhere to the
regulation for a period of time.
I think that we feel as soon as we discover a situation,
we need to correct it. And I think that is what I hope and
that is what was attempted to be done here.
Q. But you were not consulted before Captain Gold-
man (p. 48) was told to remove the yarmulke?
A. No, I was not consulted. I became aware, I think,
of the case in the May time period or so and knew that he
had been directed to do it. But I did not get involved in
that decision at all.
Q. And did you know that prior to that time, he had
been permitted to wear his yarmulke? Were you con-
sulted in that regard?
A. No, I was not.
[Messrs. Lewin and Butler confer. ]
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. You are familiar, General Usher, are you not,
with the related issue as to whether the wearing of the
beard is a violation of the Air Force dress code?
A. Iam.
Q. And were you familiar with the litigation which
took place in this court with regard to two chaplains who
litigated, Jewish chaplains who litigated the question of
whether they would be permitted to wear a beard?
A. Iam familiar with it in the general sense of the
word, yes.
Q. Were you familiar with it at the time of the liti-
gation?
A. In part, yes. Again, in a personal way, no.
@. At those times as well, the very same kinds of
(p. 49) predictions that you are making now were made
with regard to the wearing of the beard, were they not, by
the Air Force?
A. I think they were. I read some of the affidavits
that were referenced, and there were similar arguments
made, yes.
Q. That there would be no way to draw the line?
A. Yes.
Q. And that there would be other people that would
wear other religiously-motivated garments?
A. Uh-huh.
Q. In fact, the two chaplains, Rabbi Geller and Rabbi
Kalinsky, were ultimately permitted after litigation to
wear their beards. Is that correct?
A. That was part of the consequence of litigation.
Q. Have you heard either personally or second-hand
of any deleterious consequences to the Air Force as a re-
sult of those chaplains wearing beards?
A. No, I have not.
THE COURT: Of course, the Air Force has a ready
answer when somebody asks why. They put the blame or
the responsibility on the court because that is where the
Air Force has left it. Is not that your position?
66
THE WITNESS: That is correct.
THE COURT: “If the court says so, we cannot do
anything about it. Our position has not changed.”’
(p. 50) THE WITNESS: Our position has not
changed and will not change.
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. Well, of course, in the second case, General Usher,
if you are familiar with it, the Kalinsky case, there was
not a court order, was there?
A. I just—I really do not recall at this point in
time.
Q. Well, if I can just refresh...
THE COURT: Has that case been terminated, coun-
sel?
MR. LEWIN: That case was terminated by the Air
Force agreeing that it would permit Rabbi Kalinsky to
wear his beard prior to any court determination; so the
case is mooted out.
THE WITNESS: That is correct. I recall that.
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. You recall that.
So it was not really under court order that the Air
Force...
A. No, it was based on the precedent that had been
established in the Geller case in order that we could sus-
tain our position in the Kalinsky case, if I recall cor-
rectly.
67
And, therefore, I think the judge is correct in this
case that we have not changed our position as to the de-
sirability of that; and, furthermore, of course, as you
know, these two are in the reserve forces. They are not
like this current case in that they...
(p.51) Q. Pardon? I am sorry. I did not hear that.
A. I say these people went on to an inactive reserve
status, as I recall, the Kalinsky and Geller situations.
Again, my recollection of the details is somewhat hazy.
THE COURT: Well, as a policy matter, you decided
to lose the battle and win the war.
THE WITNESS: I think that is fair.
THE COURT: Yes.
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. But with regard to the consequences, though, you
would agree with me that there were no harmful conse-
quences to the Air Force that grew out of the fact that
Rabbi Geller and Rabbi Kalinsky wore their beards?
A. That is not to my knowledge.
Q. That is not to your knowledge.
A. I cannot comment on what the morale and disci-
pline of the units with which they were associated is today.
I have not asked them; and, indeed, nobody has re-
ported to me.
Q. Nobody has initiated any report to you to com-
plain about the morale...
A. No, they have not.
Q. ...or discipline of that unit?
A. No, but again I think the point holds that there is
(p. 52) that ready explanation that we ended up in court
on their matters.
MR. LEWIN: One moment, Your Honor?
THE COURT: Surely.
{Messrs. Lewin and Butler confer. ]
MR. LEWIN: That is all, Your Honor.
THE COURT: Do you have any redirect, Mr. Law-
rence?
MR. LAWRENCE: We have no redirect, Your
Honor.
May General Usher be excused?
THE COURT: You certainly may be excused, Gen-
eral. You may step down and be excused.
[The witness leaves the stand. ]
THE COURT: I think it might be appropriate for us
to take a short recess at this point. We will resume at
11:00 o’clock.
[Thereupon, the court recessed at 10:50 A.M.]
[Following the mid-morning recess, the court recon-
vened at 11:06 A.M.]
MR. LAWRENCE: The defendants call Chaplain
Reeves to the stand.
Thereupon,
69
Capt. Donald L. Reeves, Chaplain, USAF, called as a
witness by the defendants, after first being duly sworn,
was examined and testified as follows
Direct Examination
BY MR. LAWRENCE:
(p. 53) Q. Chaplain Reeves, would you please state
your full name for the record.
A. Donald L. Reeves.
Q. What is your current grade?
A. Grade is 03—Captain.
Q. Would you please briefly describe your education-
al background, Captain Reeves.
A. Okay.
I have a B.A. in English, double major, English and
Bible, from Bethel College in Tennessee; a Master of Di-
vinity Degree from Vanderbilt Divinity School with grad-
uate work in Management, Vanderbilt Graduate School of
Management.
Q. What are your postgraduate degrees?
A. Just the Master’s of Divinity Degree.
Q. What is your professional background, Chaplain
Reeves?
A. I have been a pastor, teacher, and a writer.
Q. Would you give us briefly what period of time
you were a teacher.
70
A. I was a teacher for two years, one year 1963—’62
to 63 — I taught senior English at Mount Juliet High
School out of Nashville, Tennessee.
And in ’67-’68, I taught senior English at Sparta
High County High School in Tennessee.
Q. And?
A. I taught two summers at Peabody College. Admin-
istration (p. 54) High School.
Q. What did you teach at Peabody High School?
A. I taught senior English.
Q. And after you completed that aspect of your
professional career, what came next?
A. Well, I am a pastor or was a pastor. I was on
the staff as an associate pastor of the First Presbyterian
Church in Nashville, Tennessee.
And I moved from there to senior pastor of a church
in Jackson, Tennessee.
I was a psychiatric chaplain for the Tennessee De-
partment of Mental Health for two years and then was a
presbyterial executive for the presbytery of Murfreesboro,
Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Q. You indicated, I believe, that you considered
yourself a writer. Have you had any publications?
A. Yes.
Q. Could you describe some of your publications
for us.
71
A. I have had a feature article for the Nashville
Tennessean; I have written curriculum material for
adults, teenagers, and children for United Methodist Pub-
lishing House; and I currently have a column in my de-
nominational magazine and have written articles for them
down through the years.
Q. Going back to your articles briefly, what was your
article in the Nashville Tennessean?
(p. 55) <A. It was on the intimidating atmosphere
of the average courtroom.
THE COURT: Do you want to revise it now that
you know...
THE WITNESS: No, not yet.
And the discouraging effect that has on the average
citizen trying to exercise his legal rights.
BY MR. LAWRENCE:
Q. What was the nature of your publications for the
United Methodist Publishing House?
A. Adult curriculum materials on the use of silence
in The Adult Leader, which is for teachers and adults;
and then full spectrum of material for children and some
summer programs for working with youth.
Q. What is your feature column that you write?
A. It is entitled “Letter to the Lord.” It is often a
very satirical column in which the kind of human aspects
of life is lifted up in a satirical way as a letter to God.
Q. Where are you currently assigned, Chaplain
Reeves?
72
A. Maxwell Air Force Base, and I am with the
Chaplain’s Resource Board, which works for the Chief of
Chaplains.
Q. What are your responsibilities in your current
position?
A. lam a resource person in the area of pastoral
care and also in the area of theology for ministry.
(p. 56) And I also am one of the chief writers for
the board and researcher for the board. I edit the month-
ly newsletter for the chief of chaplains, which is his offi-
cial publication.
Q. In your current position, have you undertaken
any research on the dress and appearance requirements of
various religions or sects?
A. Yes, essentially the research that was done the
98th and 29th of August relative to the code of dress and
uniform requirements.
Q. What form did the result of that research take?
A. It took the form of an outline that outlines the
dress and uniform requirements for quite a diversity of
groups, denominations, in the religious structure of the
U.S.
MR. LAWRENCE: Would the clerk please mark this
as defendants’ exhibit 1 for identification.
MR. LAWRENCE: Let the record reflect I am pro-
viding a copy to plaintiff’s counsel.
THE DEPUTY CLERK: Defendants’ exhibit number
1 marked for identification.
73
[A document referred to was marked for identifica-
tion as defendants’ exhibit No. 1.]
MR. LAWRENCE: I have a separate copy for the
court, for the convenience of the court.
[A copy of the exhibit is also handed to the court. ]
(p. 57) MR. LAWRENCE: Your Honor, may I ap-
proach the witness?
THE COURT: Surely.
[Mr. Lawrence approaches the witness. ]
BY MR. LAWRENCE:
Q. Chaplain Reeves, I show you what has been mark-
ed as Defendants’ Exhibit 1 for identification and ask if
you recognize that document.
{The exhibit is handed to the witness, who looks at it.]
THE WITNESS: Yes, sir.
BY MR. LAWRENCE:
Q. What is that document?
A. That is the compilation of the research that I did
relative to the dress and uniform requirements.
Q. Chaplain Reeves, I would ask you to turn in de-
fendants’ exhibit 1 to the heading of ‘Indian Heritage
Groups.”
A. (Complying) Okay.
@. What are the dress or appearance requirements
for the International Society for Krishna Consciousness?
A. They are one of the groups that has the require-
ment of the maintaining of hair as it. They require a tuft
mene aaa sma mai 4
74
of hair, which is called a ‘‘Sikh,” which is worn by the
males.
They have clay markings which are distinctive, the
most distinctive of which are two parallel white lines that
run from the forehead down to the bridge of the nose.
(p. 58) Q. Further in that same category, “Indian
Heritage Groups,” what would be the dress or appearance
requirement for the Satchidananda Ashram-Integral Yoga
group?
A. The monks in that particular group of the “In-
dian Heritage” section would have to wear the saffron
robe; other members simply wear white clothing.
I noted in research that I did that as to whether or
not these are optional for military service, it is not listed.
However, military service is allowed by the denomina-
tional standards.
Q. If you would turn in Defendants’ Exhibit 1 to
the “Islamic Groups,” what would be the special dress re-
quirements of the World Community of Islam?
A. (Complying) The males are not allowed to wear
clothes that show the imprint of the body at all; the fe-
males show only the face, the hands, or below the ankles.
Q. Would the adherents of that religion be permitted
to wear the current Air Force uniform?
A. I would presume not.
Q. If you would turn to the category of “Sikh” on
Defendants’ Exhibit 1, what are the dress and appearance
requirements of the groups ‘‘ Healthy, Happy, Holy” and
‘‘Sikh Dharma”?
si
75
A. (Complying) Okay.
Those are the same. Those who are practicing mem-
bers of those groups must keep their hair, all of their hair,
(p. 59) including their beards.
The hair is turban-tied on top of their heads. They
have a very unusual requirement in that besides the special
underclothing they wear, they also have a steel bracelet
and a dagger.
The official clergy of that particular group wears
jodhpur-like pants.
MR. LAWRENCE: Your Honor, I have nothing
further of this witness.
I move the admission of Defendants’ Exhibit 1 for
identification into evidence.
MR. LEWIN: Your Honor, this is not an objection.
Obviously, this is not a jury trial, and I would like
to cross-examine the witness on that document.
THE COURT: I will reserve ruling until you com-
plete your cross-examination.
MR. LAWRENCE: Certainly.
MR. LEWIN: Thank you, Your Honor.
Cross-Examination
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. Chaplain Reeves, in your education, did you take
any courses in comparative religion?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. How extensive was thai?
76
A. If I remember correctly, I had about nine semes-
ter (p. 60) hours, perhaps twelve; and I just frankly
cannot remember the exact number. It has been a long
time ago.
Q. Did those—did the subject matter in those courses
cover any of the groups that are listed here under “Sikh
Groups,” for example, that you testified about?
A. (No response)
Q. Specifically, the “Healthy, Happy, Holy” organi-
zation?
A. Ido not remember that it did, no.
Q. ‘The International Society for Krishna Conscious-
ness?
A. Lremember some study of that. I could not tell
you a detail.
Q. In your experience subsequent to your education,
were you personally involved in any way in comparative
religion study of any kind?
A. No, sir.
Q. You were essentially a pastor for the Presbyterian
Church during that period of time that you were in the
clergy following. . .
A. Yes, and the Psychiatric Hospital Chaplaincy.
Q. All right.
And this particular study, which is Defendants’ Ex-
hibit Number 1, you say was done August 28th and 29th
of this year?
77
A. Yes, sir, that is a Friday and Saturday a couple
of weeks ago.
Q. And that was done for purposes of this case. Is
that (p. 61) right?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And I notice on the front page of that, it says,
“Contractor for this research was Kirschner Associates,
Inc.”
Who was Kirschner Associates, Inc.?
A. I have no idea.
They were listed as the contractor by the Army in
the paraphlet, which was the basic guide that we used.
Q. I see.
So that is the contract before that, that pamphlet,
No. 165-13?
A. That is my presumption.
The Army decided to do the study. As I understand
the process, they contracted out certain portions of the
study. Kirschner Associates had the sub-contract—or
rather had the contract; and then even themselves sub-
contracted some work out.
Q. But the particular information that appears on
the succeeding pages was all information that you person-
ally accumulated?
A. The particular information was within the posed
pamphlet of the Army, with footnotes accordingly.
78
And I took that pamphlet as well as looking at the bib-
liography and put it in outline form, particularly related
to dress and uniform codes.
(p. 62) Q. What made you select particular de-
nominations or groups for that study?
A. They are the ones that are covered in the pamph-
let.
Q. Inotice the study begins with “Christian Heritage
Groups.”
A. Right.
Q. What are the heritage groups?
A. Evidently, the original contractor, when they did
the study and perhaps in accordance with the Army’s re-
quest—I am not sure about that—but, at least, the con-
tractor and those who sub-contracted for the sake of order,
divided their material of their concern into these groups.
They called them ‘‘Christian Heritage Groups”; and
they would be, for instance, those groups that had in their
heritage particular relationship with the Christian faith.
Q. Well, I notice that the study excludes, for ex-
ample, your own, the Presbyterian Church.
A. That is right.
Q. And you have got no listing anyplace in these
pages for the Presbyterians.
A. That is true. That is true.
Q. The study excludes the Roman Catholic Church,
does it not?
\ , Pe Te TE
79
A. That is true.
Q. It excludes all Baptist groups, does it not?
(p.63) <A. That is true.
Q. So, essentially, what you were doing in this study
is simply taking a whole group of very small minority
sects. Is that right?
A. I am not sure.
The Army are the ones who set up that, and we simply
followed their lead. I am not sure what their purpose was
for excluding the major mainline groups.
Q. But you would agree with me that the major
mainline groups are excluded?
A. Yes, they are not—I do not think the intent was
to even study them.
Q. And those major mainline groups are the major
groups that are represented in the Air Force. Is that not
right? .
A. I would presume that. I do not have statistics to
back that.
Q. Well, the work you do now is sort of with the Cen-
tral Office of Chaplains for the Air Force?
A. That is right.
Q. And is it fair to say, then, that as, for example,
the World Almanac indicates, that the largest churches
in the United States are the Roman Catholic Church, the
Baptist Church, the Lutheran Church, various Methodist
Churches, Presbyterian Churches, the Episcopal Church—
those churches are not in the study?
80
(p.64) A. That is true.
And there are some minority churches that are not,
too. Your Orthodox, your barest breakdowns—we have—
in fact, I am a member of a very small Presbyterian body
within the Presbyterian group.
So I would say that it was not an exclusion made sim-
ply on the basis of major or minor necessarily.
Q. I see.
But the major churches I have listed have no clothing
requirement, nothing that would affect their dress or uni-
form in any way?
A. That is true.
Q. And would you say—do you have any idea, just
in terms of approximation, as to the percentage of Air
Force personnel that belong to the major churches that
have no religious. . .
A. No, sir, I do not. I do not have any statistical
idea.
Q. Would you agree with me that that is in excess of
90 percent?
A. I just have no idea.
Q. Well, would you have any reason for believing
that it is any different in its general proportions than the
population at large than those that belong to the popula-
tion. ..
A. No, I could not. I would have no reason to.
Q. Now, with regard to the items that are on the
chart, (p. 65) did you say you made inquiries yourself?
]
81
A. In terms of looking at printed material?
Q. Printed material.
A. I looked at all of the materials that are in the
bibliography, which were listed in the bibliography of the
Army pamphlet, in addition to a couple of resources that
were not in it, which are on your bibliography.
On the bibliography that you have, there are two
books I have not seen—one entitled Dread, by Joseph Ow-
ens, the other, The Rastafarians—simply because those
were printing material that the original contract group
utilized in getting their information about the Rastafarian
group. And I was unable to find that.
The others I looked at.
Q. The...
A. Iam sorry. There is one other one.
Q. Yes.
A. Okay.
I have not specifically looked at The Jewish Cata-
logue.
Q. You did not see The Jewish Catalogue?
A. That is right. ,
Q. Did you see the other book?
A. We Jews, yes.
Q. And could you describe that book?
(p. 66) THE REPORTER: What was that?
THE WITNESS: We Jews, by Efraim Rosenzweig.
82
THE WITNESS: This is a book that is a summary
by a Rabbi, if I recollect, of the Jewish faith and has been,
in fact—I think all of our Chaplains have this book. It has
been utilized as a book of familiarization for the Chaplain
force with the Jewish faith.
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. I notice that book is not listed under either Con-
servative Judaism or Reform Jews in your other printed
information.
A. That is true.
That book was not utilized by the study.
Q. Now, there is another column headed ‘‘Original
Source of Information.”
A. Yes, Sir.
Q. Did you talk to people. Is that what that is?
A. No, this, “The Original Source of Information”
column, is a listing of the original sources for the contract
group.
They themselves got their information on not simply
the dress and uniform requirements, but total descriptions
of these groups from individuals’ agencies.
And they listed those within the Army study. There
is an Appendix that has them listed. It even has names
and addresses.
Q. And as I understand it, the study of religious
(p. 67) requirements and practices is not limited to the
dress or uniform.
A. Oh, no, not at all.
83
Q. Well, just directing your attention to the page
which contains the Jewish groups, ...
A. All right.
Q. ... Did you, in regard to studying the Jewish
groups, seek in any way to find authority beyond The
Jewish Catalogue or the book by Rabbi Rosenzweig that
you list there?
A. Or the pamphlet itself?
Q. Or the pamphlet itself?
A. No, sir, no.
Q. And on what basis did you determine that the
materials that you relied on were really the authoritative
sources for the information that you were including in
your study?
A. The extensiveness of the Army study itself and
what I feel to be the trustworthiness of that implies its
correctness.
And then the other books were the ones most avail-
able to us at the moment.
Q. You say you have not seen The Jewish Catalogue?
A. Ihave seen it, but I have not looked at it.
Q. You have seen it?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. It is really sort of a pamphlet, is it not? It is
(p. 68) a soft cover, kind of a large popular book?
A. Uh-huh.
84
Q. It is not—would you call it an authoritative de-
scription of the religious practices?
A. Iam not sure. I do not know what the purpose
of it is.
Q. Did you study Judaism at all in comparative re-
ligion courses that you took, or are you familiar with Jew-
ish practices?
A. Yes, to some degree, but I think simply in the
way that you study all other religions that you study when
you are in a seminar program.
Q. But are you...
A. Iam not extremely—I would not consider myself
an expert on the Jewish faith at all.
Q. You know, though, that there are authoritative
codes of Jewish law?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And you did not look at those?
A. I have seen the Jewish—let us see—The Concise
Code Of Jewish Law, I believe, by Appel. I have seen
that and looked at that.
Q. That is not part of the study?
A. No,no, sir. I did not see that until after the study
was over.
[ Messrs. Lewin and Butler confer. ]
(p. 69) BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. You said the study was based, you indicated in
part, on The Jewish Catalogue.
os
85
(The book is shown to the witness.]
'
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. Do you recognize that, The Jewish Catalogue?
MR. LEWIN: Let me mark it for identification.
{The book referred to was marked for
identification as Plaintiff’s Exhibit
No. 3.]
THE WITNESS: I am sorry.
Let me make sure that I understand you. I did not
use the Catalogue in the study.
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. But you did see the Catalogue?
A. I have seen the Catalogue, yes. I saw it after the
study was completed.
\
Q. Well, just showing you Plaintiff’s Exhibit Num-
ber 3 for identification, .. .
{The exhibit is shown to the witness, who looks at it.]
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. ... Would you agree with me that that is sort of
a popular summary of various kinds of Jewish practices,
customs?
A. I would presume it to be so, looking at the pub-
lisher (p. 70) and the table of contents.
Q. Would you consider that an appropriate basis
for a scholarly conclusion to be drawn regarding Jewish
requirements of the Jewish faith?
86
A. I am not sure how to answer that. I would have
to look at it, I think, in detail to make a deci ion on that.
Q. Let me show you what I would mark as Plaintiff’s
Exhibit 4 for identification.
[Another book referred to was marked
for identification as Plaintiff’s Exhibit
No. 4.]
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. This is a volume called Code Of Jewish Law, in
English.
[The exhibit is handed to the witness, who looks at it.]
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. Have you ever seen that?
A. Yes, sir, I—now, I presume that this is the one
that I have seen.
Q. I do not believe it is.
A. It is not?
Q. No.
A. This is not The Concise Code by Appel. Okay.
No, I have not seen this.
(p. 71) Q. Just from looking at it, does that appear
to be a more detailed scholarly ...
A. Certainly.
Q. ... Exposition of Jewish law than what appears
in Plaintiff’s Exhibit 3 for identification?
A. Yes, I would presume that from taking a cursory
look.
Ra ieeenenenanimaniil
87
Q. Now, in studying Conservative Judaism, which is
listed on that same page, did you have recourse to any
scholarly works on Conservative Judaism?
A. No, sir, utilized the pamphlet on that.
Q. Well, let me show you what I will mark as Plain-
tiff’s Exhibit 5 for identification.
[Another book referred to was marked
for identification as Plaintiff’s Exhibit
No. 5.]
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. This is a guide to what is called Jewish life?
[The exhibit is handed to the witness, who looks
at it.]
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. It is Jewish Religious Practice—A Guide To
Jewish Religious Practice, by Rabbi Isaac Klein. Have
you ever seen that document before?
A. No, sir.
Q. Just from the inside flyleaf, can you tell whether
(p. 72) itis a survey of couservative Jewish practice?
A. I would presume that it is.
Q. And if I told you that in that Plaintiff’s Exhibit 5
there is reference to practices of conservative Jews to wear
a head covering at certain times when praying or when
performing a ritual or when eating—specifically, I direct
your attention to Pages 51 and 52 of that volume, bottom
of 51 and top of 52.
|
88
A. (Looking for reference in book) All right.
Q. Is that right?
A. I’m sorry.
Repeat the question.
Q. Is there indication there or statement there by
Rabbi Isaac Klein of the Jewish Theological Seminary
that, in fact, Conservative Judaism does expect its ad-
herents to cover their heads in for enumerated instances,
including when performing a ritual or when eating?
A. Right.
MR. LEWIN: I would like to offer those pages of
that volume in evidence, Your Honor.
We can mark that as Plaintiff’s Exhibit 6 and offer
that in evidence.
[Pages of Plaintiff's Exhibit No. 5 for
identification were marked for identifi-
cation as (p.73) Plaintiff’s Exhibit No.
6.]
THE COURT: Any objection, Mr. Lawrence?
MR. LAWRENCE: One brief moment, Your Honor?
THE COURT: Surely.
{Mr. Lawrence looks over the exhibit. ]
MR. LAWRENCE: We have no objection.
THE COURT: All right.
It will be received.
[Plaintiff’s Exhibit No. 6 for identifica-
tion was received in evidence. }
89
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. Would you agree with me, Chaplain Reeves, that
this study is really a very—how shall I put it?—cursory
kind of review of very selected religious denominations?
A. This study that the Army pamphlet did?
Q. Yes.
A. I cannot dispute that since I do not know the or-
iginal process they went through.
Q. With regard to Conservative Judaism, it appears
to be erroneous, does it not, when it says that there is no
special dress uniform required?
A. Okay.
It is not in agreement with the statement that you
have here. However, I am not sure whether—would you
like for (p. 74) me to tell you where—how the Army
pamphlet asked that question and how that came about?
Q. All right.
Please do.
A. In the Army pamphlet, each of the denomination-
al groups was asked a series of specific questions, and
there were proposed answers to that.
One of the questions was: ‘‘Are there specific re-
quirements”—I am not quoting directing—but, ‘‘are there
specific dress uniform requirements?”
The answer from the research they did, which was
in this case, the original source being a member of the
Rabbinical Assembly, was ‘‘none.”
‘
90
And I do not have any explanation of that, other than
that is the—and that also, the ‘‘A” behind it, means that
that is the final form of—that statement was approved
hy that member of the Rabbinical Assembly.
Q. So there was one person who was asked who was
a member of the Rabbinical Assembly?
A. It listed that person. I am not sure whether there
were others or not.
Q. Under Orthodox Judaism, your report says, ‘‘in-
complete information.”
A. That is right.
Q. Now, it says that ‘‘group worship is required.”
(p. 75) Is that a special dress or uniform requirement?
A. You mean is special dress or uniform require-
ment made at worship?
Q. No, no.
I am asking you, as I understand your study was, to
find out whether there was special dress or uniform re-
quirements for each of the various faiths.
A. Right.
Q. You have a recitation under Orthodox Judaism,
which continues for about twenty lines, ...
A. Right.
Q. ... Saying that group worship is ‘‘required.”
“There are ‘fixed times’ for public worship, three
times daily: Morning, afternoon, and evening.”
91
A. Right.
Q. That is not a special dress or uniform require-
ment?
A. Right.
Simply when there was no information from Orthodox
Judaism, I simply tried to point out what requirements
there were relative to worship itself and the equipment
necessary for it and the apparel for it.
Q. 0 that entire paragraph all deals with worship
and not with any special dress or uniform requirements?
A. Simply, as I understand it, as it relates to wor-
ship, right.
(p. 76) Q. Indeed, on its face, that section with re-
gard to Orthodox Judaism states that there is no require-
ment other than during worship that males wear—keep
their heads covered.
A. Orthodox Judaism, the statement on Orthodox
Judaism, did not answer the question in the Army Pam-
phlet regarding Dress and Uniform Codes one way or the
other.
So it is just simply absent.
Q. You simply had no information?
A. Ihad no information about that.
Q. You had no information about that?
A. Right.
And this was gleaned from discussion of worship.
Q. With regard to these other groups, Chaplain
Reeves, do you or does the underlying report have any in-
92
formation about whether there is any member whatever
of any of the other groups in the Air Force?
A. I’msorry. I do not understand your question.
Q. The other groups that are in your report, is there
any information in the underlying Air Force Report as to
whether there is any member of any of the other groups,
apart from the Jewish group in the Air Force, in the mili-
tary services?
A. Yes.
Q. First in the Air Force and then in the military.
Well, let us just go over it: The ‘International
Christian Ministries,” which is the first under “Christian
(p. 77) Heritage Groups”: They have no special dress
requirements.
Do you know whether there are any...
A. I do not know. And that evidently is not the in-
tent of the study, to determine who was or who was not.
Q. All right.
In fact, on the front page, the indication that you got
is that there is none of those, even of those small groups,
had any special dress or uniform requirement?
A. (No response)
Q. Is that right?
A. I do not understand your question.
Q. In fact, you found from your study, such as it was,
that none of the...
A. Oh, you are talking about of the Berkeley Chris-
tian Coalition? :
93
Q. Well, just down that entire first page.
A. (No response)
Q. None of them had any special dress requirements;
so if they were in the Air Force, there would be no...
A. They would...
Q. ... Requirements?
A. Except for the Holy Order of Mans. I would pre-
sume from the little information that was on them, there
could be conflict there. But I do not know enough details.
It is on the first page.
(p. 78) The others, no.
Q. And on the second page, there’s none?
A. Right.
Q. And on the third page, the first one that you found
is the |} +shna group, the
A. Yes.
Q. . . . Hare Krishna group?
A. That’s true.
Q. And do you have knowledge of any member of the
Fare Krishna group who is in the Air Force? Is there
any Hare Krishna member in the Air Force?
A. Ihave no knowledge of that one way or the other.
Q. You are working at the Central Office for Air
Force Chaplains? Is that what that is?
A. Well, I work at the Resource Board at Maxwell.
Q. Resource Board?
94
A. Right.
Q. And what is the Resource Board exactly?
A. It is a—it is simply what is says. It is a group
of Chaplains who are resource people for the Chief of
Chaplains in various areas, and we also do writing and
research, not only relative to our areas, but to any other
request.
Q. When you say “resource people,” if there is a
difficult problem of some kind, they would be likely to call
upon you?
A. Yes, sir.
(p 79) Q. And would you consider it likely that if
there were a Hare Krishna member someplace who made
some religious request, that that would therefore come to
your attention in the ordinary course?
A. It could and it could not.
We have not had that happen, and I really cannot an-
swer from experience on that; and I have only been on
the board since February, so I am not sure what the his-
tory is on that.
Q. Well, what has been—during your experience
there, what has been the most unusual group that you have
encountered in your experience?
A. You are talking about in my experience other
than doing the research itself?
95
Q. Yes.
A. The only reference of a group that I have simply
had mentioned is the Sikh group, who recently, I heard,
asked for permission to pass out materials at a base event
of some kind. But that is the only group that I have had
any...
Q. It asked for permission to hand out materials?
Now, this is a Sikh group of Air Force personnel, people
who are in the Air Force?
A. The understanding that I had was it was an Air
Force officer, in fact, who had asked...
Q. He was a member of the Sikh group and he had
asked (p. 80) to hand out this material?
A. Or who asked for permission to use a—or to have
a booth at some kind of event.
Q. Have you had any dress exception request from
that member of the Sikh group?
A. No.
Q. Do youknow of any...
A. Not that I know of, and I am not sure I would
Q. Do you know his name?
A. No, Ido not. I don’t have any idea.
Q. Where would that request have gone?
A. If it was a local request, it would have gone to
the Base Commander.
Q. Do you know of any member of the Sannyas
Order, S-A-N-N-Y-A-S, who is in the Air Force?
96
No, sir.
Or any member of the Sri Chinmoy Centre?
aan
No, sir.
Q. In fact, going through the rest of your study,
leaving out for the time being the Jewish groups and the
one member of the Sikhs whom you have described, do you
know of anyone in the Air Force who is a member of any
or adherent to any religious faith that requires some ex-
ception or variation from the Air Force dress code, ac-
cording to your statement?
A. Not that I can think of, no, sir.
(p.81) Q. Uh...
A. Let me say with the exception of the fact that
we do have quite a few Mormons in what they are al-
lowed to wear; but it is not an exception to the rule since
they are undergarments.
Q. Well, now, what is the—what is the rule with re-
gard to Mormons are permitted to wear?
A. The covenanted member of the Mormon faith
has certain undergarments they can wear or, that is, gar-
ments that are worn under the uniform. They are allowed
to do that. They are “temple garments,” as they are
called.
We have got quite a few Mormons, and I would just
simply presume that they do wear theirs.
Q. Is that provided in AFR 35-10?
A. Not that I know of.
97
Q. So how has that exception been implemented?
A. I would presume that it is implemented by them
in that it is not visible.
Q. AFR 35-10—are you familiar with AFR 35-10?
A. Generally, yes, sir.
Q. It is a fact, is it not, that AFR 35-10 also speci-
fies undergarments as well as clothing that is worn out-
side?
A. Not that Iam aware of.
Q. Well, let me show you paragraph 2-9 of AFR 35-
10 and specifically sub-paragraph (F).
(p. 82) [The reference is shown to the witness to
view. ]
THE WITNESS: Yes, that speaks to the visibility.
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. And it does specify that undergarments are to be
a T-shirt...
A. ...And undershorts.
Q. Now, you say Mormons are permitted to wear
religious undergarments. And have you heard complaints
from any enlisted personnel about the Mormons’ wearing
undergarments?
A. No, sir, and I do not know for a fact that any
have. That is a presumption on my part.
Q. Do you think, Captain Reeves, that it is desir-
able that the Air Force promote recognition of diversity
of religious faiths among its personnel?
98
A. (No response)
Q. In other words, that Air Force personnel know
that we live in a country where there are various religious
faiths?
A. I think we have accomplished that, yes, sir.
Q. Do you think that is a desirable objective in terms
of what the Air Force should achieve with its personnel,
should it not?
A. I am not sure—Excuse me—I think it is an as-
sumed thing; and I am not sure that I think it would—I
am not sure how to answer that really. I do not know that
that is their major concern or should be their major desire.
(p. 83) But I would think it is very good that they
allow pluralism.
Q. And do you think that pluralism is fostered by a
recognition that other people have got religious observ-
ances and beliefs...
A. Yes, sure.
Q. ... That the individual may not have;...
A. Yes.
Q. ... That other people have got different religious
observances and symbols?
A. Yes.
Q. And, specifically, do you think it is fostered by
a recognition that other people may, for example, in the
exercise of their religious belief wear some particular
garment? They may wear a hat.
99
A. I would presume that that is one way of recog-
nizing it.
Q. Do you think that interferes with military disci-
pline if people respect that?
A. I do not have information to answer that on hon-
estly. | am not sure.
I have not—I have not run into an occasion personally
where there was an interference of any kind.
Q. Would you agree, Captain Reeves, that religious
obligations or duties should be granted somewhat prefer-
ential (p. 84) treatment to simply personal—matters of
personal taste?
MR. LAWRENCE: Your Honor, we have been pa-
tient.
I am going to object. This is significantly beyond the
scope of the direct examination here.
MR. LEWIN: I am not going to go on with this at
length, Your Honor, it just has to do with the testimony
that was gotten from the first witness, and I am just...
THE COURT: Well, I do not think that Captain
Reeves has been offered as any expert, and his personal
opinion is not at all persuasive on this subject matter.
MR. LEWIN: I think he has. I think he has been
offered as an expert because he made up a chart of the dif-
ferent religious faiths; and, certainly, in our view, ...
THE COURT: Making up a chart does not make one
an expert. He has testified within his experiezce. He has
told us exactly what he did and where he got the informa-
tion from.
100
They asked him to compile something that would make
some sense out of a rather obtuse, abstruse area that they
have had no major focus on. And the best he could do in
the time that they gave him was to get that information
and go through it and present it to us in outline form.
I would assume the defense would want to make the
whole study available, the whole transcript.
MR. LAWRENCE: That is correct.
THE COURT: That is one of the things that was to
(p. 85) be ascertained and what the Army had in mind
when they commissioned it. They spent money on it; they
had a contract.
They needed the contract to determine what it was the
contractor said he was going to do for the Army. And it
might give some indication as to what they expect to get
out of it.
I am going to sustain the objection. I think you are
too far afield.
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. Chaplain Reeves, to your knowledge, has any mili-
tary service done any study of the effects of permitting
religious exemptions to dress codes on military discipline?
MR. LAWRENCE: Objection, Your Honor.
The same objection—it goes beyond the scope of di-
rect examination.
MR.LEWIN: This might...
THE COURT: I am going to sustain it.
I have had it from the top man, and he does not know
of any.
101
MR. LEWIN: Pardon?
THE COURT: He does not know of any.
MR. LEWIN: All right.
I just wanted to confirm that with this gentleman, who
did go to the available resources.
THE COURT: No, I do not want to pull rank on the
(p. 86) Captain; but when the General says there has not
been any, that is enough.
(Messrs. Lewin and Butler Confer.)
MR. LEWIN: That is all.
MR. LAWRENCE: Your Honor, I have no further
questions.
I would move the admission of Defendants’ Exhibit
Number 1 into evidence.
THE COURT: You may step down, Captain Reeves,
and be excused, if you like.
THE WITNESS: Thank you, sir.
[The witness leaves the stand. ]
THE COURT: What is your objection?
MR. LEWIN: Your Honor, I think I just simply
raise the objections, and I guess they go to the weight of
the report more than to its admissibility.
And, obviously, we think it is an inadequately-done
job, but we cannot object to its being admitted.
THE COURT: Well, I am going to receive it over
your objection.
102
[Defendants’ Exhibit No. 1 for identifi-
cation was received in evidence. |]
MR. LAWRENCE: Your Honor, one final matter.
The Air Force regulation at issue here is already a part
of the (p. 87) record, and I have not offered it for that
reason.
I have additional copies if they would be of any help.
THE COURT: I think it unnecessary to have addi-
tional copies. We have the record copy which is marked
as your exhibit.
MR. LAWRENCE: Exhibit A, I believe, to the op-
position to preliminary injunction.
THE COURT: It should be re-marked.
Why do not we have it re-marked for the purposes of
this trial.
You can put an additional marker on it, I guess, which
would be the easiest way to do it.
MR. LAWRENCE: That would be Defendants’ Ex-
hibit Number 2.
[The AFR referred to was re-marked for
identification as Defendants’ Exhibit No.
2 and received in evidence. |]
MR. LAWRENCE: Your Honor, we have no fur
ther witnesses at this time, and the defense rests.
MR. BUTLER: Your Honor, maybe this might be
an appropriate time to break for lunch. We have rebuttal
witnesses that we would like to call.
103
We have been informed by the defendants that they
will be...
(p. 88) THE COURT: I do not think that will be
any problem.
Can we resume—what time have you told the witness
you would be ready for him? Is 1:45 the time you...
MR. BUTLER: We can resume by 1:15 or 1:30,
Your Honor.
THE COURT: Would you like to resume at 1:30
then?
MR. BUTLER: Yes, Your Honor.
MR.LAWRENCE: That is fine with us.
THE COURT: All right.
Let us resume at 1 :30 then.
(Thereupon, the court recessed for lunch at 11:55
A.M.]
AFTERNOON SESSION
[1:47 P.M.]
MR. BUTLER: Good afternoon, Your Honor.
THE COURT: I apologize for keeping you waiting.
I was delayed. I usually try not to waste busy lawyers’
time.
You can proceed now.
MR. BUTLER: The plaintiff wishes to call as its
first rebuttal witness Dr. Howard Rosman.
THE COURT: Very well.
104
Thereupon, Howard J. Rosman, M.D., called as a wit-
ness by the plaintiff, after first being duly sworn, was
examined and testified as follows:
(p. 89) Direct Examination
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. Dr. Rosman, would you please state your full
name for the record.
A. Howard Joseph Rosman.
Q. Where do you live, Dr. Rosman?
A. 166S17 Seventy-Third Avenue, Flushing, New
Q. What is the nature of your current employment?
A. lama pediatrician.
Q. How long have you been a pediatrician? How
long have you specialized in that area of medicine?
A. Since 1971.
Q. Where did you attend medical school, Dr. Ros-
man?
A. New York University.
Q. And where did you perform your internship and
your residency?
A. At Bellevue Hospital and NYU Medical Center.
Q. Both in New York?
A. Yes, they are adjoining.
Q. What was your next position after your resi-
dency?
105
A. I was on extended active duty in the Air Force.
Q. When did you begin your extended active duty
with the Air Force?
A. July 1, 1974.
Q. Where were you assigned?
(p. 90) A. Pease Air Force Base, Portsmouth, New
Hampshire.
Q. How long did you serve in the Air Force?
A. Two years.
Q. Did you serve in the Air Force as a doctor?
A. As a pediatrician, yes.
Q. Inotice you are wearing a yarmulke, Dr. Rosman.
Are you an Orthodox Jew?
A. I am.
Q. Have you always worn a yarmulke?
A. I have.
Q. Did you wear a yarmulke while you were attend-
ing medical school ?
A. I did.
Q. Did you wear a yarmulke while you were in your
internship and residency?
A. Yes.
Q. Did you wear a yarmulke when you reported for
duty at Pease Air Force Base?
A. I did.
106
Q. When you first reported for duty at Pease Air
Force Base wearing your yarmulke, did you receive any
reaction or any comment from any of your superior of-
ficers?
A. The hospital administrator told me that I would
not be permitted to wear the yarmulke while I was on ac-
tive duty while in uniform.
(p. 91) Q. Who was the hospital administrator if
you can remember?
A. Major Jonas.
THE REPORTER: Major who?
THE WITNESS: Jonas, J-O-N-A-S.
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. What did you do when Major Jonas told you that
you could not wear a yarmulke in uniform?
A. I told him then that it would go against my re-
ligious beliefs, and I would really like to work it out so that
I would be able to wear the yarmulke while I was at the
hospital on duty while in uniform.
Q. What did he say to you at that time?
MR. LAWRENCE: Objection, Your Honor.
We are getting into an awful lot of hearsay; and my
objection is on the basis of hearsay.
THE COURT: I think I have to sustain it.
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. What did you do after Major Jonas told you you
could not wear your yarmulke while in uniform?
™
107
A. At that point in time, I requested—I formally re-
quested to have a waiver of the regulation stating that I
should not wear a yarmulke.
[Mr. Butler shows a document to Mr. Lawrence. ]
BY MR. BUTLER:
(p. 92) Q. Dr. Rosman, I place before you what has
been marked for identification as Plaintiff’s Exhibit Num-
ber 7 and ask if you can identify that document.
(The Exhibit is handed to the witness, who looks
at it.]
THE WITNESS: This is the waiver request that I
sent in to my commanding officer.
(Mr. Butler shows another document to Mr. Law-
rence. |
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. In connection with your request for a waiver, did
you consult with any other personnel at the Air Force
Base?
A. I spoke with the Hospital Commander, Colonel
Edmonds, and also with a Colonel Matthews, who was the
Methodist Chaplain on base.
Q. Dr. Rosman, I place before you what has been
marked for identification as Plaintiff’s Exhibit 8 and ask
if you can identify that document.
(The exhibit is handed to the witness, who looks
at it.]
THE WITNESS: This is the letter that Colonel Ed-
monds wrote to the base commander recommending ap-
108
proval of my request for a waiver of the regulation pro-
hibiting wearing the yarmulke.
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. What was Colonel Edmonds’ position at that time?
A. He was the Hospital Commander.
(p. 93) (Mr. Butler shows another document to Mr.
Lawrence. ]
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. Did you receive any information or orders from
your commander thereafter, after your request for an ex-
emption and Colonel Edmonds’...
A. Ispoke...
Q. ...Endorsement of that request?
A. Ispoke with Colonel Burpee on July 16th.
Colonel Burpee was the Base Commander.
And on, I think, July 22nd, I received a direct order
from Colonel Burpee not to wear my yarmulke while per-
forming my duties while in uniform.
Q. I place before you what has been marked for iden-
tification as Plaintiff’s Exhibit Number 9 and ask if you
can identify that.
[The exhibit is handed to the witness, who looks at it.]
THE WITNESS: This is the order that I received
from Colonel Burpee.
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. After you received...
iia
109
MR. BUTLER: Excuse me.
May I move the admission of Plaintiff’s Exhibits
Numbers 7, 8, and 9?
MR. LAWRENCE: Your Honor, I would object
again on (p. 94) the basis of hearsay.
Although those documents have been identified, they
are still hearsay.
MR. BUTLER: With respect to Exhibit Number 7,
Your Honor, it is a letter request and identified by the
witness, submitted by the witness to the Air Force with
his own signature on it.
These documents—perhaps I can ask the witness more
questions as to whether he has...
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. With respect to Plaintiff’s Exhibit Number 8, Dr.
Rosman, the letter of endorsement from Colonel Edmonds,
were you given a copy of that document by Colonel Ed-
monds?
A. Yes, I was.
Q. Did you discuss that with Colonel Edmonds?
A. I did discuss it with Colonel Edmonds before he
sent it to the Commander, Colonel Burpee.
Q. And with respect to Plaintiff’s Exhibit Number 9,
is that your signature on the bottom of the document?
A. Yes, it is.
Q. Were you asked to sign that document when you
received it?
110
A. I was told I had to sign that document on the day
that I received it.
MR. BUTLER: Your Honor, I submit that these
are not (p. 95) hearsay; they are admissible; and I move
for their admission.
THE COURT: I will reserve on 8 and 9. Number 7
will be received.
[Plaintiff’s Exhibit No. 7 for identifi-
cation was received in evidence. ]
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. Dr. Rosman, after you received the letter of de-
nial, the notice of denial from Colonel Burpee, what did
you do?
A. Major Jonas at that point in time introduced me
to the Area Defense Counsel, who explained to me what
would happen if I would not obey the order.
Part of what he told me was that I would be court-
martialed and if found guilty,...
MR. LAWRENCE: Objection, Your Honor.
The objection again is to hearsay.
THE COURT: Your objection is overruled.
THE WITNESS: If I would be found guilty, digeould
lose my medical license.
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. So what did you do after you received that infor-
mation?
A. I spoke with my counsel at that time.
111
Q. Did you continue wearing your yarmulke?
A. Immediately, the day after I received the order, I
(p. 96) did not wear the yarmulke.
Q. Just so we can put this in some kind of time frame,
do you recall what day of the week it was that you re-
ceived that information from the Area Defense Counsel
and decided to take your yarmulke off?
THE COURT: One moment.
What is your proffer of this witness?
MR. BUTLER: Your Honor, defendants have sought
to establish that the wearing of a yarmulke while in uni-
form would somehow interrupt or interfere with discipline,
uniformity, esprit de corps in job performance generally.
I intend to establish through this witness that after
this story would progress, after a period of time, he was
permitted to wear his yarmulke again.
He did wear it for a period of two years in the Air
Force at a hospital, a regional hospital at Pease Air Force
Base.
He did so without any adverse effect, no consequences,
criticism, questions being raised about it, or any other
adverse effect.
MR. LAWRENCE: Your Honor, that testimony is
essentially irrelevant here on the basis of a single incident.
We had testimony which came out previously which
deals with the rules of general application, and the basis
for our case was made on the basis of a rule for general
application (p. 97) and its enforcement.
112
Perhaps single incidents of non-enforcement or dif-
ferent enforcement of the rules would be irrelevant to the
presentation here. We object.
MR. BUTLER: Your Honor, I submit that the in-
formation is both—the evidence would be both probative
and relevant.
The testimony that has taken place before the court
deals with, I admit, the general policy.
Dr. Rosman is one example.
We will be presenting other evidence of other ex-
amples and evidences of people who continued to wear
yarmulkes on their Air Force bases without any prob-
lems.
THE COURT: Well, I will receive the testimony, but
I doubt that it can be relevant to what I have viewed to be
the crucial issue.
But I will receive the testimony.
MR. BUTLER: Very well, Your Honor.
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. Once again, Dr. Rosman, so we can put this in a
time frame, what was—do you recall the day of the week
that you...
A. It was a Wednesday.
Q. What did you do after you indicated you con-
tacted counsel?
Who was the counsel at the time?
A. Mr. Lewin.
113
(p. 98) [Mr. Butler hands another document to Mr.
Lawrence to view. ]
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. Dr. Rosman, I place before you what has been
marked for identification as Plaintiff’s Exhibit Number
10.
(The exhibit is handed to the witness, who looks at it.]
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. Can you identify that document?
A. It is a copy of a letter that was sent to a Mr. David
Johnson in the Office of General Counsel, Department of
the Air Force, by Mr. Lewin on my behalf.
Q. Did you request that Mr. Lewin send that letter
for you?
A. I did.
Q. Did you receive a copy of that letter at or around
the time that it was sent?
A. Yes, I did.
MR. BUTLER: Your Honor, I move for the admis-
sion of Plaintiff’s Exhibit Number 10.
MR. LAWRENCE: Your Honor, we make the same
hearsay objection, that the statement is not made by the
declarant, he is unavailable.
MR. LEWIN: Your Honor, I certainly do not wish
avs
THE COURT: One moment.
(p.99) MR.LEWIN: Certainly.
114
THE COURT: One lawyer at a time.
MR. LEWIN: Yes, sir.
MR. BUTLER: Your Honor, first, I am prepared
for Mr. Lewin to authenticate the document if mecessary.
THE COURT: I know you are.
MR. BUTLER: But, more importantly, the witness
has testified that this letter was sent at his request, at his
direction, and that he received a copy of the letter at the
time.
THE COURT: I do not know that it is particularly
relevant. That is my problem.
MR. BUTLER: The substance of this letter, I be-
lieve, addresses the very issues that are addressed in this
lawsuit.
And the matters were considered at the time by the
Air Force.
And in the instance of Dr. Rosman, the same kinds
of issues were considered by the Air Force in the case
of Dr. Goldman.
THE COURT: The issues that are considered by
the Air Force at the time vis-a-vis Goldman or anybody
else are not necessarily controlling as to the issues to be
decided here as we tried to frame it.
Are you saying they are estopped...
MR. BUTLER: No, sir.
(p. 100) They are...
THE COURT: ... From treating the plaintiff in
this case, Goldman, any different than they treated Dr.
Rosman?
115
MR. BUTLER: No, sir.
I am simply maintaining, as a matter of policy, the
Air Force has considered this matter before and treated it
differently than they did today.
THE COURT: Not at the highest level where they
are trying to have the policy established.
There has been no—I think they would stipulate. The
Air Force would stipulate that you could probably dredge
up a significant number of people, 15 or 20, over the
years who may have had ad hoc determinations made for
tiiem.
MR. BUTLER: The particular addressee of Plain-
tiff’s Exhibit Number 10 is the Office of the General Coun-
sel at the Pentagon.
Other recipients of the letter were the Deputy Assis-
tant Secretary of the General Counsel.
THE COURT: I will reserve on this until I hear
the testimony of Dr. Rosman.
MR. BUTLER: Very well.
MR. LAWRENCE: Your Honor, the relevancy ob-
jection runs through the whole gamut of the testimony, in-
cluding the exhibits offered in support of it.
THE COURT: Yes, I understand that.
(p. 101) MR. LAWRENCE: Thank you, Your
Honor.
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. Thereafter, did you have, after the letter was
sent in your behalf and at your request, did you have an
116
opportunity to meet again with Colonel Burpee concerning
the question of your yarmulke?
A. Iwas told in Colonel Burpee’s office the follow-
ing Tuesday.
And at that point in time, Colonel Burpee told me
that it weuld be permissible for me to wear my yarmulke
while on active duty while wearing my uniform.
MR. LAWRENCE: For the record, we object and
ask that the hearsay testimony be stricken.
THE COURT: For the record, your objection is over-
ruled.
BY MR. BUTLER:
Q. Approximately how many days went by then
where you did not wear your yarmulke?
A. Three or four days.
Q. After your meeting with Colonel Burpee, did you
commence wearing your yarmulke and continue wearing
it for the full two years of your service?
A. Yes, I wore my yarmulke from that point on until
I was discharged from extended active duty.
Q. Did Colonel Burpee impose any restrictions on
where (p. 102) on base you could wear your yarmulke?
A. No.
You were permitted to wear it everywhere?
That’s correct.
Even wore it in the hospital?
Yes, I did.
PrP oP ©
in
117
Q. You wore it while you were treating patients?
A. Yes,
Q. And you wore it while you were working at the
nursing center?
A. That’s right.
Q. During that two-year period, did you receive any
inquiries or comments from your patients concerning your
wearing of the yarmulke?
A. Occasionally.
As a pediatrician treating children who had never
seen the yarmulke before, they would ask me what it was.
Occasionally, their parents would tell them that it was
my religious belief to have my head covered.
And if the parents would not, then I would tell them
that it was my religious belief to have my head covered
in deference to God.
Q. Did any of the s~listed men on base question you
about wearing the yarmulke?
A. No.
(p. 103) Q. Did you receive any indication that the
yarmulke in any way interfered with your ability to per-
form your duties as a pediatrician?
A. No.
Q. Once you were permitted to wear your yarmulke
for that period of time, did you have any indication that
any kind of discipline problems developed at Pease Air
Force Base as a result of your wearing the yarmulke?
TT
118
A. No.
MR. BUTLER: I have nothing further, Your Honor.
THE COURT: All right.
THE COURT: Mr. Lawrence?
MR. LAWRENCE: Your Honor, I have no ques-
tions of this witness.
Again I move that his testimony be stricken as ir-
relevant.
THE COURT: I will take that motion under advise-
ment.
THE COURT: You may step down, Dr. Rosman.
{The witness leaves the stand. ]
MR. LEWIN: Your Honor, the plaintiff will call
Dr. Samuel Levinson.
(p. 105) Direct Examination
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. Dr. Levinson, would you please state your full
name and address.
A. Samuel Levinson, 12207 Devilwood Drive, Poto-
mac, Maryland.
And, Dr. Levinson, what is your occupation ?
I am a clinical psychologist.
Are you self-employed?
PoP eO
At the moment, yes; at the time, yes.
119
Q. Dr. Levinson, could you please briefly summarize
your formal education from college on.
A. I got my undergraduate degree in Emporia, Kan-
sas, in 1951; came aboard in the Air Force; got an Air
Force-sponsored master’s degree and a commission in °55
—I guess it was ’55; and in ’57, was assigned by the Air
Force for a doctoral program at Denver; finally finished
that doctorate at the University (p. 106) of London in ’68,
Q. So you have a Ph.D. in psychology?
A. And the American Boards, which is a supple-
mentary designation or equivalent to medical residency.
Q. So you have received Board certification as well?
A. Yes.
Q. Have you served with the United States Air
Force?
A. Twenty-six years.
Q. And what was the final position that you held
with the United States Air Forve?
A. I was chief clinical psychologist.
Q. Could you speak up, please.
A. I was chief clinical psychologist to the Air Force
surgeon.
Q. At what period of time were you chief clinical
psychologist to the Air Force?
A. From ’71 to ’77, until I retired.
Q. And prior to that, had you held other positions
in the field of psychology with the Air Force?
A. Yes.
Q. All right.
I place before you, Dr. Levinson, what has been
marked as plaintiff’s Exhibit Number 11 for identifca-
tion,...
[The exhibit is handed to the witness, who looks at it. ]
(p. 107) BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. ...A copy of which I gave to government counsel
before we resumed this afternoon.
Could you tell us what that is.
A. That is my resume.
Q. And it includes your various Board certifications
and employment?
A. Yes.
Q. It also includes on the second page various con-
sulting positions you have held?
A. Yes.
Q. Are you a member of professional organizations
in the field of psychology?
A. lam.
Q. Specifically, the American Psychological Associa-
tion?
A. Yes.
Q. And the Virginia Psychological Association?
A. Uh-huh.
121
Q. And you have received professional honors from
the United States Air Force, commendations, medals, as
indicated on page 2?
A. Yes.
Q. Have you also engaged in teaching or lecturing?
A. Yes.
Q. And that is reflected on plaintiff’s Exhibit 11 for
(p. 108) identification?
A. Uh-huh.
Q. Is it?
A. Yes.
Q. And you have also given speeches and lectures in
the field of psychology?
A. Yes, I have.
Q. All right.
MR. LEWIN: I would like to, first off, offer plain-
tiff’s Exhibit 11 for identification into evidence.
MR. LAWRENCE: No objection.
THE COURT: It will be received.
[Plaintiff’s Exhibit No. 11 for identification was re-
ceived in evidence. |
MR. LEWIN: And at this time, on the basis of Dr.
Levinson’s testimony, also I would like to offer him as an
expert in military psychology—military psychology.
THE COURT: Do you wish to voir dire?
122
MR. LAWRENCE: Your Honor, I will just reserve
for cross-examination.
I will pick it up on cross.
THE COURT: Very well.
He will be accepted as an expert.
BY MR. LEWIN:
(p. 109) Q. Now, during what period of time were
you chief clinical psychologist for the Air Force?
A. From ’71 to ’77.
Q. And prior to that, from—is it 1954 you had served
as a psychologist in the Air Force. Is that right?
A. Prior to 1954, yes.
Yes, I served as a psychologist in the Air Force. The
Air Force did not require a Ph.D. at that time.
Q. Now, I direct your attentions specifically, Dr. Lev-
inson, to the question of Air Force uniform, the Air Force
dress code.
A. Yes.
Q. Could you please tell the Court whether as an
expert psychologist your view is that the wearing of a uni-
form is beneficial in some way to the military service?
A. There is no question about that.
Q. All right.
A. It is a means of identification and all things that
come with it.
Q. And there has been testimony that it affects mat-
ters such as discipline, teamwork, motivation, esprit de
123
corps, and image of Air Force personnel to wear an Air
Force uniform. Do you agree that those things are af-
fected?
A. Certainly. Certainly.
Q. By the way, are you aware, as a psychologist, of
any (p. 110) studies that the military has undertaken in
this regard?
A. No.
oS Ge. «.
A. Not to my knowledge, they have not.
They have assumed with great conviction these mat-
ters, but have not really tested them.
The Defense Department has bought millions of dol-
lars of research and leadership in personnel matters of
this kind, but have always taken the stance that this is
the way it has always been and this is the way it is and
this is the way it perhaps has to be.
And they have had ample opportunity to buy that re-
search as well.
Q. Now, let me direct your attention to...
THE COURT: Well, let me ask this:
THE WITNESS: Yes, sir.
THE COURT: ... During the time that you were
in your capacity, did you ever suggest to them that there
was not any basis for the assumption they had made in
that regard, that research was necessary in order to vali-
date it?
124
THE WITNESS: The issue never came up.
And as a medic, the issue of uniforms, unless they
became issues of litigation and I would be involved as an
expert witness, did not come up.
The medics do not get involved in defining uniforms
(p. 111) except as they related to life-support systems.
Now, the question of its impact on the psychology of
personnel and on morale and my role as a psychologist
responsible to counsel with youngsters with valid discipline
problems, I would be familiar with it in that context.
BY MR. LEWIN:
Q. Now, Dr. Levinson, let me direct your attention to
the question of exemptions or exceptions to the dress code.
In your experience and from your experience, do ex-
emptions or exceptions to the dress code necessarily un-
dermine the various beneficial factors I have enumerated
and that you have agreed to with regard to military dress?
A. The common phrase, such as good order and dis-
cipline—the exceptions more often than not create a sense
of being special, a sense of esprit de corps around lim-
ited exceptions, the black beret, the Air Force policemen
wear now, the pilots that like to wander around in their
flight suits—and you see them in the PX and in the offic-
ers’ clubs wandering in.
You know, people look for something a little special
that sets them aside; and in a positive way, this has kind
of always worked.
Nobody has really made an issue of those things un-
less their unrigidity was such that they could not handle
125
the flexibility or unless they needed a weapon to go after
somebody that had bugged them and they could not get
them on a legitimate (p. 112) issue that they were con-
cerned with.
Q. Well, directing your attention specifically to your
own experience, do you know during your—those twenty-
how many years?
A. Twentyssix.
Q. ... twenty-six years in the Air Force, of excep-
tions to the military dress code, that there were instances
when people did violate the military dress code?
A. Every day you would see people with yarmulkes
in the PX.
Occasionally, we would see people walking around in
their flight suits. We would see people in the hospital
wearing their operating-room green.
Q. Well, let us take the operating room green. Is
there a restriction with regard to—you are talking about
the green smock that a doctor wears .. .
A. Yes.
Q. ... In the operating room?
A. Yes.
That is not part of a hallway uniform. It is not part
of a uniform that you wear in a clinic. That is for the
operating room.
Q. And by regulations, limited to the operating room?
A. I think so.
126
Q. And, nonetheless, people would walk around out-
side (p. 113) the operating room...
A. Simply because it was convenient and they were
more concerned about getting their job done than whether
or not somebody wore greens or whites.
Q. Other exceptions—another exception you men-
tioned was pilots in flight suits.
How was that an exception ...
A. All right.
Because you are not to wear...
Q. ... or variation?
A. You are not to wear flight suits off the flight
line.
But, you know, it is a badge of honor; and you would
see them in the PX, at the officers’ club, and around until
it bothered somebody; and then it would probably be
brought up.
There is another little bit: I noticed people wearing
the ‘‘I Gave’’ or ‘‘We Gave’’ combined Federal campaign
badge.
Q. You mean the little button, the little medal?
A. The little button, yes.
Q. And that is not permitted by the dress code?
A. To the best of my knowledge, no restriction pro-
hibited it; except that it was not decreed as a formal part
of the regulations.
But nobody came up with any issue about it.
People worked during the campaign; and if they cared
(p. 114) to, or they wore it if they were assigned as a
127
project officer; and, therefore, if he wanted or needed to
make a bit of it—and then it disappeared.
Q. Had there been items of dress or clothing that
are now permitted by Air Force regulations which began
as really a variation from that Air Force code?
A. Well, I would think of the baseball cap.
@. Baseball caps are not permitted?
A. Well, they gave—the N avy gave President Reagan
a baseball cap when he was on the aircraft carrier re-
cently; and they had taken to wearing baseball caps as
official uniform now on the flight lines.
But, initially, I do not think they were declared offi-
ciai uniform.
It just turned out that those who wore them found
that they were more effective than what was uniform at
the time, and then they have since become uniform, I
suppose.
Q. As a psychologist with your years of experience
in the Air Force, could you just describe for the Court
how you view or whether there are any beneficial aspects
to granting an exemption or an exception to variations
from the dress code.
A. Well, I think in the context of a rigid system,
when youngsters kind of feel that things are boxed in
pretty tight, if there are things that demonstrate that
there is indeed flexibility, is indeed compassion, or that
changes can be made (p. 115) rationally, that things are
not imposed in a rigid or, as the youngsters refer to it
as, in a ‘‘chicken’’ fashion, then it gives some sense of
humanness about it.
128
And you feel less a victim of the absolute, less a vic-
tim of rigidity, less necessary to oppose or to resist or
to get into struggles with it.
Zumwalt demonstrated this with the beard issue in
the Navy some years ago.
Q. Are you talking about Admiral Elmo Zumwalt?
A. Yes.
You know, I thought it was a rather brilliant psycho-
logical move to recognize that there were a lot of young
people with natural opposition tendencies that could read-
ily marshal around this and make a cause celebre and
waste a great deal of time and money.
And if he could avoid the then need to develop and
act out these oppositional needs on issues of importance,
which he, in my view, did—the youngsters then went and
had their beards—it did not have any significant nega-
tive effect on the Navy and he disarmed this struggle.
They had a place to do their thing.
Q. Is there, in your view, necessarily a negative im-
pact on other personnel of the military service if there
are variations or exceptions permitted, in other words?
Do others view that as a basis for resentment, (p. 116)
envy,...
A. I think that depends...
Q. ... or jealousy?
A. I think that depends on what it is.
If you get the feeling that someone else is a favorite
child in the family and the daddy commander, then there
would be some resentment for that.
129
But if it is an issue that relates to something and to
somebody that carries respect, then you view it as a state-
ment of humanness in the system.
Q. All right.
We have not to this point, Dr Levinson, discussed
this in the context of religious demands or religious ex-
emptions.
Do you think that exemptions from the dress code
based on the religious need of an observer add anything
to your analysis you provided heretofore?
A. No, I do not think variations, you know, as long
as they are not gross, would contribute to, you know, good
taste and they would contribute to the sense of humanness.
In the years I have observed, I have noticed no nega-
tive—I have had no negative experience, you know.
Q. All right.
Would the fact that a particular variation from the
dress code based on religion affect other personnel’s view
of (p. 117) that variation in any way?
A. No, I think what they would do is treat it with
respect and get a sense of the system is somewhat flexible
and that the system does respect—does respect religion.
And that if they indeed wanted to modify their uni-
form in the same way, they could look into converting.
There was a non-religious issue, the concern among
black troops with psuedofolliculitis.
Adolescent blacks tend to get ingrown hair. And it
became a power struggle very often on a training base.
130
Q. Were there exemptions from the grooming re-
quirements...
A. There were...
Q. ... for medical reasons...
A. ... exemptions.
Q. ...and those who could not shave?
A. And I would often serve as ombudsman for young-
sters whose administrative people would resent the fact
that they went to the hospital and resented the hospital
for giving them one.
They said, ‘‘you cannot do that’’—an inappropriate
power struggle.
Q. But once it was recognized that this was based on
medical grounds, was that respected by fellow members
of the service?
A. Then it ceased to be an issue.
(p. 118) Q. And with regard to religious variations,
is it your view as a psychologist that the same would be
true if exemptions were permitted for religious varia-
tions...
A. Yes.
Q. ... from the dress code?
A. Yes.
Q. Would that in any way have any educational im-
pact on Air Force personnel as well as with regard to our
pluralistic society?
A. Yes, I think it would teach people that there is
room for differences, differences that are not flaunted in
a aeeeeneaeiitieemnennnenial
131
a negative or power-struggle kind of way, differences
that have little or nothing to do with the mission at hand,
you know.
Q. Did the name, Simcha Goldman, come across your
desk at any time while you were in the Air Force?
A. Iam responsible for Simcha Goldman in the Air
Force.
Q. How are you responsible for Mr. Goldman—Dr.
Goldman?
A. As chief psychologist, I recruited him for a doc-
toral training program.
Q. Did you meet him personally?
A. No, only on the phone through his credentials.
Q. Did you know at the time that you recruited him
that he was of the Orthodox Jewish faith?
A. Yes.
(p. 119) Q. Are you yourself Orthodox Jewish?
A. lam Jewish, but not Orthodox.
Q. How did you know that he was Orthodox Jewish?
A. I asked him as a matter of, you know, being able
to consider where we might get him training and where
he might need to be assigned.
Q. Did you know he had previously been a Chaplain?
A. Yes.
Q. And were you aware of any religious observances
that he had?
132
A. It never became a subject of conversation as
though it would be a problem.
I knew he was a Chaplain in the Navy, had served
in the Carolinas somewhere with a Navy jail, had done
a good deal of counseling, and that part attracted me.
And I thought that given his rabbinical training,
demonstrating that he could do the graduate work, and
his pastoral counseling experience, that we were half-way
home in having an experienced military officer functional
in clinical psychology, compared to a youngster recruited
fresh out of graduate school that would take a couple
of years to train.
So I was quite anxious to get him onc
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