There are lots of military farewell traditions that are not "official" that we do- plaques, spurs in the cavalry, framed guidons, you name it. If you leave a unit or retire in good standing, you got the "standard package" of farewell mementos- period. In this unit, spouses got a certificate signed by the commander. Just because it was not official does not mean it was not obligatory. It is wrong for a commander to pick and choose who gets what, based on religious beliefs or anything else. That is favoritism, and favoritism destroys unit morale.
There are lots of military farewell traditions that are not "official" that we do- plaques, spurs in the cavalry, framed guidons, you name it. If you leave a unit or retire in good standing, you got the "standard package" of farewell mementos- period. In this unit, spouses got a certificate signed by the commander. Just because it was not official does not mean it was not obligatory. It is wrong for a commander to pick and choose who gets what, based on religious beliefs or anything else. That is favoritism, and favoritism destroys unit morale.