Category Archives: Chaplain

Jewish Lay Leaders Support Soldiers’ Faith

A shortage of Jewish Chaplains in the US military, as well as the fact that a small number of Jewish military members tend to be spread out among a large number of bases, can make religious association of Jewish troops difficult.  This often leads to reliance on other soldiers or the contributions of “lay leaders”–often retired military members in the local community.

In the Atlanta, Georgia, area, retired US Navy Master Chief Jim Bradford is one such lay leader.  He recently coordinated the visit of Rabbi Menachem Katz, Aleph Institute director of outreach programs, to minister to the local Jewish community at Fort McPherson.  When they met, the group discussed the challenges of living of celebrating their faith within the constraints of the military environment.  Read more

US Army Chaplain Ministers to Soldiers, Iraqis

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.

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Finding God in Iraq: Living Christianity

Carol Pipes, a female reporter for Christianity Today, went to Iraq to report on the Chaplains at Camp Victory in Baghdad.  While most of the article merely recounts her narrative, she does make a few interesting observations.  In particular, she reinforces the importance of living the Christian witness, and how it is a tool for Christ even in the face of orders against conversion.

While proselytizing Muslims is strictly prohibited, Christians in the military demonstrate the love of God in their actions. The fruit of the Spirit that exudes from our chaplains and Christian troops is not lost on the Iraqis.

The article is entitled “Finding God in Iraq,” and can be seen at Today’s Christian Woman.

FOB-Hopping Chaplain Ministers in Iraq

We can [celebrate] Mass on the hood of a jeep if we need to. To me, there is no awkward place to perform Mass.

A forward operating base (FOB) tends to be a smaller, more austere, and tactically significant military base supported by a larger main base located elsewhere.  FOBs dot the landscape in both Iraq and Afghanistan.  In many cases, helicopters or other means of transportation make “the rounds,” delivering supplies or rotating troops to the FOBs.

As noted in a military report, Air Force Chaplain (LtCol) Mark Rowan is a Catholic Priest who has to “FOB hop” from Read more

Iraqi Christian Evangelizes American Soldiers

In a rare public interaction of Iraqis, American soldiers, and the Christian faith, the Iraqi Bishop of Basra held a Catholic Mass for American troops stationed in his region.  The Mass was held on Contingency Operating Base Basra, Iraq, on 8 August, by Bishop Imad Al Banna.  Approximately 50 people attended the service, which was delivered in historic Aramaic.

Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Morris, a Multinational Division South chaplain, said he commends Banna Read more

Praise for Jewish Chaplain, MREs at Army Base

As previously noted, last year a Jewish US Army basic trainee at Fort Benning was assaulted for reasons that he claimed were related to his faith.  His assailant was discharged, and the victim, Michael Handman, was allowed to leave the Army.

Several news sources are now crediting that scandal with recent activities occurring at Fort Benning.  These actions have included the addition of Kosher MREs at the dining hall and a permanent party Jewish Chaplain.  The base has previously had a Jewish Chaplain, though the relatively small number of Jewish Chaplains limits the number of bases to which they can be permanently assigned.  (The Associated Press text also says that the drill sergeants were “disciplined,” though there is no public evidence to that effect.)

Last year the incident rose to scandal status, involving the MRFF, ADL, and NAACP. Read more

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