December 18, 2008
The U.S. military reversed its policy of giving preferential access to some
religious groups to provide literature to new recruits. Some induction centers,
known as Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS), have granted Gideons
International special access to military recruits in order to provide Bibles and
religious messages on the day of their induction. MEPS facilities process
incoming recruits for the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard.
The American Civil Liberties Union launched an investigation into the
practice in 2007.
ACLU Letter: Request for Access to MEPS Facilities
MEPS New Policy
