As noted in a US Army press article, Chaplain (Maj.) Dawud Agbere is one of six active duty Muslim Chaplains in the US Army.  He is currently a student at the Army’s Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth.  In recounting his contributions to the Army, a former commander of a 400-man battalion said the soldiers in his unit “although mostly Christian, trusted Chaplain Dawud Agbere right away.”
 
Besides ensuring soldiers’ right to free exercise, Chaplains also serve spiritual, emotional, and even cultural aspects of internal and external military operations.  For example, despite criticism from activist groups, US military Chaplains have had the opportunity to minister to non-US peoples in Iraq.

Religion is an important aspect of Middle Eastern culture, and demonstrating a cultural sensitivity and respect for religion–rather than demonstrating an absence or dismissal of it–can be a crucial part of gaining legitimacy and respect in the region.

Agbere, for example, was able to minister to the Iraqi population.

As a chaplain in a Baghdad hospital in 2004-05, Agbere ministered not only to Muslim Soldiers, but the Iraqi population as well.

Despite orders prohibiting “proselytizing,” Agbere was still able to minister to Iraqis, providing a positive impact on military operations to gain the trust and support of the local population.  Those who would discount the importance of military Chaplains, or those who would prohibit discussions of religion while in uniform or in the presence of non-US locals, fail to realize the importance of such a cultural exchange.