An advocacy group has complained about an Air Force general maintaining a private website urging prayer for the nation, a case that has implications for government employees beyond the military.

The Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) is demanding the Department of Defense (DOD) investigate Brig. Gen. E. John Teicher, installation commander at Edwards Air Force Base. MRFF’s complaint concerns alleged violations of DOD policies on religious proselytizing. 

At issue is a website Teichert maintains, Prayer at Lunchtime for the United States. A biography on the site says Teichert has served in the Air Force since 1994 and accepted Christ a decade later: “The Lord has blessed his career while burdening his heart with the need for our nation to return to its Christian foundation.”

But in a 22-page letter to Defense Secretary James Mattis, MRFF founder Mikey Weinstein questions whether Teichert is violating Air Force instructions. He cited a section that says leaders must balance constitutional protections for free exercise of religion with prohibitions against government establishment of religion.

Weinstein says he complained on behalf of 41 personnel, including 32 Christians, many whom he says fear retaliation if they are personally identified.