A Fort Hood press release notes the training program for Army chaplains in marriage and family counseling.  In a trait few seem to realize, the chaplains who attend the program are not only specially trained in counseling, they also get a degree in the process:

“Our primary mission is to train Army chaplains in marriage and family counseling,” said Chap. [LtCol] Mark Knox, director of the FLCTC… “[Chaplains] go to school and get an additional degree over at Texas A&M in Counseling Psychology. And then we provide them with a setting where they get lots of experience in counseling their soldiers and their family members.”

Chaplain Knox described the role of these chaplains as “saving lives,” which may not be an overstatement.  Within the US Army’s epidemic of suicides, broken relationships remain a leading stressor.  Contrary to the claim of a military atheist, chaplains rightly have a role in suicide prevention, and family counseling is one of many ways they can contribute to that cause.

Chaplains remain an integral part of the resiliency of members of the military.  Even though they are leaders of their faith, they serve all, even — or perhaps especially — in counseling.

In the Army, the word “chaplain” is associated with religion. However, Knox said everyone is welcomed inside the training center.

 “We are here to help soldiers and respect them for who they are, and what they believe,” explained Knox. “We’re not imposing our beliefs on anyone else. As chaplains, we’re people of faith. That’s a part of who we are. We provide really quality, caring, professional counseling to anybody. We’re here to help.”