Nope. Former Sgt. And I know that the porn that WAS available before I enlisted (when I was a dependent) got removed from AAFES in the name of morals. You can look up the 1996 "Military Honor and Decency Act" for that. Mind you, I didn't call it censorship. There might be a nice coffee discussion there (we can even talk about why Playboy is still sold but not Playgirl). I don't call foul for there not being Wiccan or Santanist chaplins (I knew at least one Muslim Chaplin) since there really weren't that many before. I'm not talking about NDAs or things like having a good work ethic.

I can't speak for the Army or Marine (not sure which you were) but the AF does have Wiccan chaplains. I don't expect to see a Satanist chaplain in my lifetime. I'm very familiar with the removal of adult magazines from the BX/PX/NEX and I think it's ridiculous however, I don't believe it's any different than working for any other company.

For me, and this is still off topic of the slightly limited freedoms, it was a minor chaffing that people who didn't like a certain type of music, or train of thought, would show up to a place and complain rather than go elsewhere. They don't agree? Fine. Never once did I picket the Base Church for promoting the idea that I was going to hell and deserved it, or that I found their hymns offensive. If I had, I would have been told "well, just don't go".

And this is an American paradox that's not unique to the government. Essentially you experienced the same things that many people experience. This is especially true for those who don't follow our society's norms. I'm not saying it's right, I'm merely saying there's no difference between military and civilian when it comes to these things. Minorities, no matter what type, will have to deal with quirks of the majority.

Yet there they were, complaining about stuff other people didn't mind or actually enjoyed.

Some people like to complain. You see it on "Keep Christ in Christmas" bumper stickers. Is it really a problem to say "Happy Holidays" and be more inclusive? I say Happy Merry ChrismahannuaKwanzica.

You downplay how much effect your constitutionally guaranteed freedoms are actually curtailed, and it's pretty tolerable, honestly. But was it no less a surprise when you got that first "you can't do that"? I'm not saying it's the end of the world, but it's a difference from the civilian world, that perhaps very minor, should be acknowledged rather than glossed over. Just admit it's there and I'm fine. Everything else can be debated over a beer for fun.

I'm not downplaying anything. What I'm saying is your constitutionally guaranteed freedoms aren't being violated. Again I say, your employer, whether government or not, can tell you what to wear, how to cut your hair and what you can say. It just so happens the government was your employer. It doesn't matter whether you're a Sgt. or a Whataburger employee, the rules are effectively the same.

Cheers.

You don't have less "freedoms." What you fail to understand is the government is no different than a standard employer. Any ordinary employer can tell you what you can say about them, how to dress and when to cut your hair. It just so happens they're the government and your employer.

Just because they don't sell the porn you want to see in the BX/PX/NEX doesn't amount to censorship.

Let me guess, a very junior enlisted person, probably at your first duty station or tech school/A school, etc?

Cheers.

Apparently you don't realize that many things have changed in the 16 years since you left. I haven't had a part-time job since I was an E-5 and that's only because my wife didn't work for a while. With current pay rates and revamped BAH, unless you have a large family, the pay is good. No great but good.