On October 22nd Pope Benedict XVI addressed military chaplains in Rome for a conference.

“The military life of a Christian must, in fact, be seen in the light of the first and greatest of the Commandments, that of love for God and for neighbor, because Christians in the military are called to create a fusion whereby they can be soldiers for love, achieving the ministerium pacis inter arma.”

The US military faces a shortage of Catholic chaplains, but it appears the sending church recognizes the value of ministry within the military.  The Pope also said

“There are many men and women in uniform, full of faith in Jesus, who love truth and wish to foster peace and, as true disciples of Christ, serve their country by defending fundamental human rights.”