Support Our Troops



Military Support Programs

Also see Get Involved Locally. This page focuses on our programs to reach out to enlistees (at MEPS) and to contact group leaders and deployed personnel with packages and letters.

MAAF members currently populate more than 20 countries, all 50 states, and over 100 military installations and ships. One can truly say that not only are there atheists in foxholes, they are in foxholes all over the world. Individual members can find support and strength by coming together with local organizations. On-post groups as well as the other communities listed provide ways for members to meet individually or at local atheist, freethought, and humanist gatherings.

Contact MAAF to start a group if one isn't in your area, or view the following documents:

• Local Leadership for civilian and military, including Lay Leaders, Group Leadership, and local points of contact.
• meeting ideas for local groups. Meeting ideas, topics, events, and charitable activities.
• affiliate development
• Flyers, all available from MAAF or by local printing:
  • Living Well Trifold: Introduces MAAF, humanist values, and the nontheist community. For use at charity events, chaplain activities, and local group events
  • MAAF Impact Trifold: Introduces MAAF and the MAAF mission, requests donations, for use at community events and local meetings.
  • 5x8 Bulletin Board Flyer: Gives basic MAAF information and local group info, best for placing on bulletin boards and other areas for advertising.
• Civilian Outreach to the military, jointly developed with Beyond Belief Network
• Student outreach to the military

  MAAF is dedicated to connecting the civilian and military community. We build community primarily through direct interaction and fellowship among our members. We also educate the military community in general to build a more warm and welcoming environment for our members and other nontheists in the military. The easiest way to interact with service members is to write them directly. Our Any Atheist in a Foxhole program allows visitors to write letters to MAAF members through a simple online form (see below). For those of you able, consider a care package donation. MAAF is also seeking out POCs to represent MAAF to local enlistment processing stations (MEPS). MAAF sends care packages to personnel overseas, including food, gloves, juice mix, books, and materials of interest. Members of MAAF can sign up to receive this support. MAAF forwards these packages all over the world to deployed service members in need.

Military Enlistment Processing Station (MEPS) outreach

View full story on MEPS program in Louisville An anonymous donor in the Louisville area has identified and funded a new MAAF program for outreach to Military Enlistement Processing Stations (MEPS). MEPS are the first official military activity for service members. Previously, Gideons and other organizations have been given special access to deploying recruits. The ACLU has ended this practice creating a more even playing field. These new regulations provide for outside (non-military) organizations to provide information in the waiting room for deploying members. In order to do this, MAAF will need a local representative to step up as a Point of Contact in the area to monitor and place the materials. If the MEPS station places no materials at all, then we will not place either, and we won't object. But if they place any materials, ours should be placed as well. Read or click the map below for stations in your area. Contact MAAF to help as a point of contact or sponsoring donor.

To Any Atheist in a Foxhole (or Ally)

MAAF members are serving throughout the world and appreciate your support. MAAF will help to connect you. Simply write your letter here and MAAF will send it to a service member. Those serving in combat areas get first priority, but with enough letters, we hope to send your support to all of our members. We invite letters from anyone and you may provide whatever information or message you wish.

To make this program work, MAAF has a few procedural controls. Anything submitted to MAAF may be sent to MAAF members in conjunction with this program. Make sure to include your contact info and name if you want a response. MAAF takes no responsibility for responses you may receive related to your submission. The content of your message may be edited at the discretion of MAAF. MAAF may not provide any acknowledgment or notification of the use or your submission.

Letters may also be sent directly to MAAF at our physical address. (see footer of website)

Care Package Donation

For any donation to MAAF of $45 you can support MAAF's efforts to prepare and send  care packages deployed service members. Service members overseas can sign up at any time to receive packages. Packages include magazines, food items, toiletries, puzzles and other items according to service member. The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science has provided support in the past. You can fill out the Any Atheist in a Foxhole letter below. Groups interested in sending packages can contact MAAF.

In addition to letters, this form may be used to request packages to go to chaplains, commanders, deployed personnel (including yourself) or others in need. You may request here (or by normal email) and MAAF will verify with the recipient what the right contents should be and send out support.

Letter Submission or Package Request

*** To send a letter to an atheist in a foxhole, type your letter of support here. Include your contact information if you'd like a response. Or request a package. Include the recipient's name, if not you, the person's contact info and why they should receive a package (deployed, chaplain, commander, local leader). We will always verify the recipient will receive the package before sending anything. ****