CAMP NEW YORK, Kuwait (Reuters) - Captain Richard Compton, a U.S. army chaplain, hands out bibles emblazoned with the image of a human skull and batwings, and in meetings with officers, encourages them to "Strike and Kill, gentlemen".
Compton is assigned with the "Widowmakers" combat battalion of the legendary 101st Airborne Division and, with the unit poised for an invasion of Iraq, he has no qualms about adopting its militaristic symbols and rallying cries.
A mild-mannered Protestant pastor, he admits his use of the skull and batwings insignia can look inappropriate. But he says it is important soldiers understand that killing enemy troops in a justified war is consistent with being a good Christian.
"I have a problem with violence as well but we also have to be realistic. Peace sometimes just cannot be found and sometimes you have to show your muscle," he said.
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