The US Army has made a concerted effort to support the “whole Soldier” concept with its Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program.  These programs have targeted the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of American servicemembers.

Chaplains in Afghanistan have been vital to that cause in many respects: 

“Our job is to make sure that all the religious needs of the tenants within the KBC are being met,” said [Chaplain] Lt. Col. David Gunderson.

“We have chaplains of different religious backgrounds stationed throughout the [Kabul area],” said Gunderson…”In order to support the views of all the troops, a lot of the chaplains are moving from camp to camp on weekends to perform these services.”

The Chaplains’ struggles to accomplish the mission have not been without cost, but they have supported the well-being of American military members nonetheless.  Chaplain (Capt) Kenny Honken put it this way:

We don’t bring any beans or bullets to the fight.  Our mission is to strengthen the Soldier spiritually so they feel ready and prepared to go out and complete their mission.

US Army Chief of Chaplains General Douglas Carver recently visited training at Camp Shelby where Chaplains went through exercises — not to lead religious services, but to deal with local foreign nationals.

Chaplains in the US military have not only ensured the religious freedom of American servicemembers, but they have also contributed to the morale and spiritual and emotional resiliency of troops in combat.  Chaplains support the troops — regardless of their faith — and they support the military’s missions around the world.