This is not what is being borne out statistically. Apparently the denomination of the chief of chaplains is a greater factor. As the chief of chaplains changes and is represented by someone from a different denomination that denomination then sees a higher promotion rate. During the 20 year period in question the chiefs have been from more liberal denominations.
See #37.
I will challenge the fact that the majority were liberals from liberal denominations. Most Chiefs of Chaplains will have been Catholic, due to their greater proportion of the force.
The only denomination I would describe as a liberal denomination that is over-represented in the chaplaincy for no good reason that I can see is ELCA, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America.
It is possible that the ELCA filters their candidates so well that they send forward only the smartest and most physically fit in the entire denomination. That would mean that the other prong of promotion is affected: how you get rated by your NON-RELIGIOUS, military commanders.
They rate you on work efficiency, ability, physical fitness, military knowledge, etc.
The military commander, and not a chaplain, is generally the rater and senior rater of any chaplain. If they can’t perform with distinction at the unit level, then any discussion of doctrinal distinctives is ABSOLUTELY MOOT. They would be failing at military skills in the eyes of people like Schwarzkopf, Thompson, etc. If you have bad paper in your file from your commanders, then hang it up. You are yesterday’s news.