"Beyond Humanism, the new listing is a win for diversity in general," Jason Torpy, president of the Military Association of Atheists and Freethinkers, said in a statement. "There is also reason to celebrate other additions. For example, Heathen, Asatru, and Troth designations are long-awaited and well-deserved among the Earth-Centered Community."
The list was released in the context of a letter providing "Faith and Belief Codes" for 221 different religions, expanding the official list beyond the earlier 100. Besides adding heathens and humanists, the list also includes eight more Protestant groups, and expands "Jewish" to encompass Orthodox, Conservative, and Reform Judaism.
Torpy, a 1998 West Point alum, emphasized that the new memo provides new authority for alternative faith groups. "This new directive has paved the way for good chaplains to do the right thing for Humanists and other nontheists in the military," he wrote (emphasis his). "Having Humanist on the list of options will help chaplains to see and provide for the Humanist needs that have always been there in units throughout the military."