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[pagebrooks]

I am considering leaving a tenure track position teaching religion and ethics at a seminary to go active duty in the military as an instructor in the area of world religions and ethics (I am currently in the reserves). The possible career path would include teaching at such military service schools as command and staff colleges, war colleges, and the military academies. None are guaranteed, but there are those options available.

The reason for leaving is because I enjoy the practical and applicational environment of the military with such assignments. I would be able to to continue to research in my areas of interest (just war theory, relationship of religion and politics, etc.), and be able to apply it immediately in various situations right now with the military. Plus, the pay is a little better than in educational institutions, to be honest!

If I made such a move, would this affect the ability to publish articles or monographs? Is there an option out there to be affiliated as a fellow or scholar with an independent organization, or perhaps some type of educational institution? While I might be affiliated with some type of institution with the military, it would be great to have that in the civilian world.

Thanks for any and all advice. Please, be real and honest before I make sure a career changing decision!

[systeme_d_]

First, as an "independent scholar" you can still keep your affiliation with AAR or SBL or whatever your scholarly association might be.  You may also publish as an independent scholar.  Peer reviews are usually blind, so your lack of affiliation with a university should not matter in the least.

Second, and I really do not mean this to be impertinent or snarky, but as a professor at a religiously-affiliated institution, are you qualified to teach "world religions"?  (Perhaps your PhD institution required study of several traditions.  I am honestly just asking.)

[pagebrooks]

systeme_d,
Thanks for your response and honesty. I had thought about that aspect of peer reviewed articles, so that would not necessarily be a problem if I did go on active duty.

I can gladly answer your question: my institution does require the study of world religions, and I do have such classes and credits in my own educational history. However, your point is certainly valid concerning my religiously-affiliated institution. Hence, we study world religions from an ecumenical and missiological standpoint (how religions relate to each other and inter-religious dialogue).

Thanks again for your feedback.

[seniorscholar]

If I made such a move, would this affect the ability to publish articles or monographs?

Many years ago when I was editing a reference work and had sent an open call for contributors to several appropriate journals, one of the volunteers (to whom I assigned two entries) was an active-duty officer connected to a military medical institution. Came deadline time, I mailed (this was before most people had e-mail) a polite reminder and asked when I could expect the material. He responded that because he was on active duty anything he published had to be approved by someone (I forget the title). I sent several further inquiries and never heard from him again; a medical researcher I knew well quickly supplied the appropriate information and I worked up the entries myself.

I have never known if the guy was telling the truth or simply not willing to let me know that he had not done the work. But I suppose possibly this is a question you might ask some appropriate person in the military's education system.

[intheweeds]

Not sure of your branch/rank/experience etc... but do you *know* you could get these jobs? Many are quite selective and have application/selection processes that are unlike a real market.  Selection to teach at a place like West Point is demanding. Those who teach there are selected to do so pre-graduate school--with applications typically coming from Captains in command.  After selection they are sent to graduate school on the Army's dime to learn what they are expected to teach.   As active duty you would be subject to deployment even from schoolhouse teaching jobs and PCSing.  I've not seen a kind of journeyman teaching career in the Army that would take you from schoolhouse to schoolhouse--typically you get to do it once in a career for 2-3 years.  My familiarity is with the Army only, but I've not known anyone to work long-term (>3 years) in these teaching jobs as active duty, unless it's their last pre-retirement position and stay on as a contractor post-retirement.  Your publication would be subject to PAO approval, but I can't see that it would harm you otherwise (except you'd likely have less time to work on writing, given teaching and other duty expectations). 

[pagebrooks]

seniorscholar and intheweeds,
Thanks for your feedback. As for the review policy, from my understanding, if you are writing in your official capacity as an Army officer, everything you write must be reviewed. I am in the Chaplain branch, so things I would write from the perspective of religion in the military would have to be reviewed by certain parties. If I were to write something for my religion or denomination, that would not have to be reviewed. The only catch is that those type of writings would have to be done during off duty hours.

As for future career paths in the army, I know about the 3-year utilization tour. I would not have to do further postgrad work since I already have a PHD. After the utilization tour, there are a few openings in different areas. Nowadays the army is imbedding religious specialists with units who deploy, which I would also have an interest in.

What do you all think would be the hiring prospects for a person who retires from the army, has such experience, but would then want to transition back into a college teaching position or something of that nature? My PHD is from a European university in the area of philosophy of religion and comparative religious studies.

Thanks!

[odysseus]

A few thoughts on your concerns here Chaplain.

"The views expressed in this written work are my own and do not reflect the policy of <insert branch of service here>", will save you in most cases.

Your nearest PAO should also be able to give you additional information. Organizational affiliation should not be hindered in any way. However, as per U.S.C Title 10 and Title 18 if on active duty you would not be allowed to be in a union of any sort. Any other civil organizations should not pose any problems.

As a person who works the religious circles as well (I certify human terrain teams and MiTT teams) I would state that you should be very careful who you associate with at times. I got in trouble a few years back while doing some research while on active duty. One of the Ulema I was interviewing ended up being a member of Jamat al Islamiyya. That contact ended up messing with my security clearance for about 6 months.