The US Army has made a concerted effort to support the “whole Soldier” concept with its Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program. These programs have targeted the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being of American servicemembers.
Chaplains in Afghanistan have been vital to that cause in many respects: Read more
Chaplain (Cmdr) Gordon Ritchie addresses an infrequently discussed but increasingly important subject in today’s military: the moral wounds of war.
In a time in which suicides are on the rise and the military is seeking moral leadership, something that often gets left out is the “moral injury” to those who must wage war at the call of their country.
The character of man recognizes, even if unconsciously, the incongruity of the value of life and the necessity of death in war. Solace is found in knowing that one’s Read more
An effort by local businesses and military leaders has garnered the sprawling Fort Campbell military facility the finances it requires to build a new chapel. A group of 55 local business leaders and public officials
explained to lawmakers that at that time, Fort Campbell was at only 31 percent of the military requirement for chapels. The existing chapels — aging World War II-era “temporary” structures — often had inadequate capacity for Eagle Remembrance ceremonies to honor fallen comrades.
The large facility will allow assemblies of over 1,200 and provide space for a variety of religious services. The local paper editorializes: Read more
An interesting, if somewhat prosaic, article at Army.mil discusses two Army Chaplains creating a new Sunday night service at Fort Jackson, SC (home of the new joint Chaplaincy center). Notably, the article highlights the motivations of Chaplains who are trying to serve the needs of the troops:
[Chaplain (Maj) Daniel] Middlebrooks explained that one of the goals was to add to the worship options on post by starting a Sunday evening service aimed at those who may not be able to attend service on Sunday mornings, as well as those who would like to participate in a second service that day…
“I’ve talked to my Soldiers, and overwhelmingly, there is a great majority that would prefer to come on a Sunday evening after Read more
A Marine Corps article noted the visit to Camp Lejeune by Chaplain (Rear Admiral) Margaret Kibben, the 18th Chaplain of the Marine Corps and Deputy Chief of Navy Chaplains.
The article at times emphasized the fact Chaplain Kibben is the first female Chaplain of the Marine Corps, and at others de-emphasized her gender.
Although gender was not a deciding factor in the decision to appoint Kibben to her current positions, Giampa said women serving in senior leadership roles sends a strong message to future leaders – both men and women.
“There’s nothing you can’t achieve,” said Giampa. Read more
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) James Brisson of Fort Bragg recently held a “Blessing of the Pets” for his congregation.
According to the Catholic religion, the blessing of animals tradition began with St. Francis’ love for animals and the environment making him a friend and protector to them. Even though world wide this widely-practiced ceremony continues to grow with owners bringing cows, horses, and various other pets, to blessings, Fort Bragg honored dogs and birds with it’s first-ever intimate ceremony.
US military Chaplains supporting the troops…and, their pets.
In a ranging interview just before his retirement, outgoing Marine Commandant General James Conway said as many as 95% of US Marines would be uncomfortable serving with open homosexuals.
By and large, they say that they are concerned that it will cause potential problems with regard to their order and discipline — that it will impact their sense of unit cohesion, Conway said.
An offiical DoD news release says the Department of Defense will follow the injunction against enforcing the policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell,” while the DoJ Read more
The US Army has faced a growing tragedy in the number of suicides in its ranks. It has amassed a veritable plethora of programs in an attempt to stem the rising tide that kills Soldiers at an alarming rate.
Chaplain (Col) Chester Egert writes an astute piece at Army.mil, noting there are “common threads” in “acts of self-destruction.”
Chaplain Egert notes that while the Army has a variety of programs to fight suicide — he counts more than 600 — there may be an omission in the emphasis on the internal issue of self-worth and intrinsic human value. Read more