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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — After considering whether or not to drop the phrase “so help me God” from the Cadet Honor Oath, the Air Force Academy announced Friday a compromise.

The final clause will be optional.

“Here at the Academy, we work to build a culture of dignity and respect, and that respect includes the ability of our cadets, Airmen and civilian Airmen to freely practice and exercise their religious preference – or not,” said Lt. Gen. Michelle D. Johnson, Academy Superintendent, in a statement.  “So, in the spirit of respect, cadets may or may not choose to finish the Honor Oath with ‘So help me God.'”

The Academy took up the issue after the Military Religious Freedom Foundation (MRFF) filed a complaint.

The current version of the Academy’s oath reads: “We will not lie, steal or cheat nor tolerate among us anyone who does. Furthermore, I resolve to do my duty and live honorably, so help me God.”

Last week, the Colorado Springs Independent newspaper published a photograph of a poster at the academy which included the oath. The newspaper then forwarded the photo to MRFF President Mikey Weinstein.

Weinstein wrote a letter to Academy Superintendent Lt. Gen. Michelle Johnson. Weinstein said she responded 68 minutes later.

“The Prep School poster has been taken down,” she wrote in an email reply posted by the Independent. “We are assessing the situation and have many mission elements, to include Prep School leadership, the Honor Review Committee and other entities on base, working to put together a way ahead that is respectful to all perspectives.”

While the poster has been removed, the phrase “so help me God” remains as part of the oath.

Ron Crews, executive director of the Chaplain Alliance for Religious Liberty, told Fox News the incident is “one more example of the Academy yielding to Mikey Weinstein at the expense of official military policy.”

“Removing this voluntary affirmation expresses hostility toward religion,” Crews said. “Further, it removes the solemnity and gravity of the oath, particularly for the many cadets who come from a faith tradition.”