An Army news article notes the continuing importance of Chaplains in the US military.  They serve the needs of all of their charges, a duty that Fort Benning Chaplain (COL) Glenn Davis understands well:

If you look at the mission of the chaplaincy, it is to accommodate the free exercise of religion – that’s a constitutional right.

The duties of the Chaplaincy become all the more important when the duties of American soldiers restrict their access to traditional sources of spiritual and religious resources.  In a combat or training environment,

[Soldiers] can’t drive into town to visit a local church, so diverse religious needs must be addressed in the training area.

“For many of them, this is the hardest thing they have ever tackled in their lives. That one hour in the chapel on Sunday and being able to exercise their faith to find that source of endurance, strength, courage … often that one hour is what helps them get through the other six days of the week,” Davis said.

The active involvement of a commander in Soldiers’ religious and spiritual needs–though sometimes criticized by those who fear “command influence”–is also vital to ensuring troops’ needs are met.  In this case, Chaplain Davis’ commander started a yearly luncheon and meets with religious and lay leaders, giving him the ability to solve problems and meet the spiritual needs of his forces.

The Chaplains also noted the lengths to which they go in order to ensure that military members of any belief system have the resources they need for their spiritual fitness, even if the Chaplains themselves are unable to provide them.  For example, they bring in civilian leaders to provide spiritual support for troops as well:

Religious leaders…who support [the base] include a retired NCO and imam, a Greek orthodox priest and a Latter Day Saints elder. Chaplains…, including a Lutheran or Episcopalian minister…a Jewish rabbi and Catholic and protestant leaders, also hold services for the basic trainees. Various nondenominational Bible studies occur throughout the week.

…They don’t have the ability to have a service for every faith, but they accommodate other religions, such as Buddhism and Hinduism, by allowing time for meditation.

The Chaplains also recognize their roles in proactively fostering an environment of religious respect in the military:

[The] chaplains keep their ears open to find out if a Soldier is being ridiculed for his religion or is unable to fulfill the tenants of his faith, whether related to dietary restrictions or holy day observances.

Some believe that Chaplains are unConstitutional or otherwise illegal; others believe that Chaplains are a thinly disguised attempt to take over the world.  Conspiracy theories aside, the role of the military Chaplain is far simpler, far more noble, and far more protective of basic American liberties:

We [want] to make sure religious freedom is being afforded to all the Soldiers. That is paramount.