The Jewish publication JTA documents the story of Joshua Knobel, a former Army officer now completing training to become a Rabbi — and maybe an Army Chaplain.

When West Point’s Jewish chaplain left the academy during Joshua Knobel’s freshman year, Knobel filled in for him, running Jewish prayer services at the military school’s chapel.

In the years following his 2001 graduation, Knobel led services more than 6,000 miles east while deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq. His career choice crystallized there.

Knobel decided to become a rabbi.

The article recounts Knobel’s service as a faith group leader, frequently filling in for Jewish Chaplains in Kuwait and Afghanistan.  He even FOB-hopped like chaplains:

Knobel spent holidays traveling between sites to lead services, sometimes at four bases. Jewish soldiers often flew by helicopter to reach Knobel and other rabbis.

His desire to serve soldiers in their faith, as demonstrated in the war zone, may yet lead him to the chaplaincy:

“I’ve always viewed it as my responsibility to make sure that Jewish soldiers, wherever I could find them, had a way of observing Shabbat, rituals or services,” he said. “The purpose I’ve dedicated myself to can be served in a community congregation or in the military.”

Read the full article.