In a period of one week, the Department of Defense has decided to divest itself of its long-standing support for the Boy Scouts, and now the Superintendent of the Air Force Academy has drawn a line-in-the-sand for Christian cadets. 

The AF Academy has been under intense scrutiny in the past year for failing to deal appropriately with incidents of rape and allegations of sexual harassment over a period of two decades. Congress has been involved, the Air Force is under the microscope and the new commander has been under the gun to correct this gross failure of character, respect and moral values. Yet, instead of finishing the job in correcting these shocking lapses, the Academy has turned its sights on Christian cadets

This week, in an interview with the Denver Post, the Superintendent of the Air Force Academy, Lt General Rosa, expressed he "is troubled by cadets who are overzealous about religion."  He quoted an internal survey he said showed non-Christian cadets believed Christians were being given preferential treatment.

"Non-Christian cadets ... have reported feeling pressured by their Christian peers ... Some students had a feeling that 'If I'm not a Christian, I feel like I'm having Christianity crammed down my throat.'"

 His proof?  Christian cadets had done the unthinkable-they invited their peers to go out to the movie The Passion of the Christ. His conclusion?  "People felt they were being coerced."

The article concluded the issue by the Superintendent's warning, "Many cadets bring their family's religious values to the academy with them  ... and don't realize they might be crossing a line when they talk about religion with others. He said the academy intends to address the problem by educating cadets about tolerance."

Well, let's begin by putting to rest the idea that the Academy is a tolerant place. Its own honor code, which each cadet must abide by begins, "We will not lie, cheat or steal, nor tolerate those who do." It ends with "So help me God." 

The ironic aspect of this worthy ideal is that it is entirely based upon the Judeo-Christian codes of behavior found in both the New and Old Testament - a fact that seems to escape the leadership. The Academy is not willing to tolerate liars, cheats and thieves, yet it has now decided that Christians cannot be tolerated if they can't keep their "religion" to themselves, or inside the pristine walls of the chapel.

For those that read our founder's documents carefully, they crafted language protecting the free expression "of" religion not a society free "from" religion. Frankly, while I was in college, no one was threatened when I invited someone to a movie. No one ran around conducting surveys either to see if I offended anyone. If I offended anyone they told me to "buzz off."  I got the message. I have a sneaking suspicion that today's cadets are no less bright. The Christian cadets probably can take "no" for an answer. It is the cadets who can't; those that sexually harass and rape other cadets that this institution should focus its precious resources upon.

Leadership in this country has been sadly lacking, as evidenced by the numerous and highly educated CEO's being brought before the bar of justice across the country for illegal and unethical behavior. The very foundations of this nation are rooted in the Judeo-Christian faith and the integrity that accompanies it. It brought persecuted believers to a nation where they could practice that faith without fear of the government telling them how or when or - where.  How very surprised they would be to see those aspirations turned on their head by an institution that should foster them.

While I served as a Peacekeeper in Israel during the first Gulf War, I spent my nights dodging Iraqi missiles while serving as the evacuation officer for Northern Israel.  I thought I was carrying the torch of freedom for one more generation.  Today many of our young men and women are fighting and dying in Iraq to defend the freedoms we take for granted - the right of free speech, free press, and yes, even freedom of religion.

Being in the military, the cadets cannot speak freely for themselves, though they will one day defend our right to free speech.  According to their boss, they will soon be taught a political correct means of "not" expressing their faith, while they go to war to defend our right to express ours. They cannot write such an article as this, though they will stand and be proud to defend my right to pen this one.

These cadets deserve so much better. They aren't required to check their Christianity at the door when they enter the Air Force or leave the chapel. Another, even more esteemed General who commanded all American forces, once faced a looming battle against an overwhelming and superior enemy force. Not content to keep his faith to himself he issued the order, "All will abstain from profane cursing, swearing and drunkenness. 

In like manner, all Officers and Soldiers, not engaged in actual duty will punctually attend Divine Services to implore the blessings of Heaven upon the means used for our safety and defense."  The very means that saved George Washington's Continental Army is now considered by the Air Force Academy as intolerant.

The recent election says that people with strong values and strong faith will not go quietly into the night - even if those values are rooted and grounded in the Judeo-Christian faith.  We have only those freedoms we are willing to defend.  Think about it.

Jeff O'Leary has written two CBA Bestselling Books and produced the New York Times Best Seller America out of the Ashes. His latest book is The Centurion Principles.  He is the founder of Mission of Joy - an outreach to homeless and orphaned children in India, and serves Fox News as a Military Analyst.