USA Today has published an article that discreetly (or perhaps inadvertently) highlighted the value of Chaplains in today’s military.  General Carter Ham, one of 12 four-star generals in the Army, made news with his admission that he sought counseling from a Chaplain to deal with combat stress.

Talks with a chaplain he trusted helped Ham understand that his mood swings and trouble sleeping were normal responses to the stress…

Talking to a Chaplain is by no means required.  In the same article, Brigadier General Gary Patton had “an ‘in-depth’ talk with a counselor” to deal with his combat stress.  Still, for those to whom faith has a particularly strong value, having the ability to speak with a spiritual advisor who shares one’s faith–and one’s military lifestyle–may be invaluable to recovery.  In addition, the Manual for Courts Martial Rule 503 continues to protect communications with Chaplains as absolutely privileged; they are the only communications so protected.

Without a doubt, Chaplains exist to serve all, including those outside of their faith and those with no faith at all.  As counselors, they are invaluable to the health of our military, and they perform in that role professionally and admirably.  They are not, however, merely “mental health professionals.”  While there have been recent calls to regulate Chaplains to the point of “spiritual neutrality,” the fact remains that Chaplains are invaluable spiritual advisors and counselors to men and women of faith in the military.  Beyond the assurance of Constitutional free exercise for military members, the mental and spiritual health of the military benefits from its Chaplaincy corps.

As noted at Miltary Christians Worldwide.