The U.S. Air Force will no longer require airmen to say the words "So help me God" when taking the enlistment oath.
Air Force officials say the change comes after an airman struck out the words on his re-enlistment paperwork, going against a policy that prohibits omissions.
The airman say he was told by his commanders that he must swear to God or leave the Air Force.
The Department of Defense General Counsel backed the airman's actions, ruling "So help me God" can be left out if an airman prefers.
"We take any instance in which Airmen report concerns regarding religious freedom seriously," Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James said in a statement. "We are making the appropriate adjustments to ensure our Airmen's rights are protected."
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