Tag Archives: Chaplain

Alternate Career Path: Truck Driver. Or Trucking Chaplain.

A running joke in military pilot training is that if it gets too difficult, you can always quit and become a truck driver.  In fact, the phone number for truck driving schools is often posted on the flight bulletin boards.  While perhaps a little insensitive to those in the truck driving profession, it makes a valid point: no one is making you do this.  It’s your choice: do your best, or quit.

If nothing else, should a pilot training student decide to Read more

Memorial Service Honors Faith of Fallen Soldier

A moving memorial was held for US Army Major Ronald “Wayne” Culver, killed by an IED in Iraq on May 24th.  The Chaplain, a friend of the Major, spoke of his faith and his salvation:

The service continued with the chaplain speaking of the major’s faith and how he knew he would see his friend in heaven. He choked up at the podium and the squadron command sergeant major walked across the stage to support him. The room was deathly silent, save for the sound of more than 500 battle-tested Soldiers sniffling.

Prayer and the playing of Amazing Grace on bagpipes, another military memorial tradition with spiritual undertones, was Read more

DADT Repeal “Clear and Present Threat to Religious Liberty”

Albert Mohler, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has a long commentary on the proposed “repeal” of the policy best known as “Don’t ask, don’t tell.”  His position is fairly clear:

Make no mistake: The repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy will present a clear and present threat to the religious liberty of those who wear the American uniform, and especially to those who serve as chaplains.

Unless something alters the political context, the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy is about to become history, and the U.S. military is about to be changed forever. The summer of 2010 may well turn out to be a watershed season in this nation’s life and history. Is anyone paying attention?

Chuck Colson, a noted Christian leader and author, has also made a similar argument.  See the prior commentaries from Archbishop Timothy Broglio and Richard Land.

Defense Amendment on Chaplains’ Prayer

Update: Bachmann’s amendment has reportedly been refused due to not being “relevant to the bill.”

US House Rep Michele Bachmann (R-MN) has introduced an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act that would “protect the religious freedom” of Chaplains in the US military, allowing them to pray in accordance with the dictates of their faith.  From the rules committee (pdf), the amendment  Read more

Ministry Asks Congress to Keep Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell

Coral Ridge Ministries, a media outreach group founded by the late D. James Kennedy, sent a letter to Congress asking them not to change the current policy on homosexuals in the military, popularly called “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”

The conservative Christian group based in Fort Lauderdale says efforts this week to repeal the 1993 law limiting gay and lesbian service represent “a direct assault on the military’s good order, discipline, unit cohesion, recruitment, retention and morale.”  Read more

US Military Chaplains Visit African Leaders

A group of US military Chaplains recently visited east Africa to “strengthen relationships between the American people and Muslim communities.”

The Chaplains were Navy Capt Rob Young, Air Force Capt Walid Habash, Air Force LtCol Gary Snyder, and Army Col David Colwell.  Habash is an Islamic Chaplain, making him particularly interesting to the local communities.

The article highlighted the potential role of Chaplains beyond service to American servicemembers:  Read more

Army to Get Second Buddhist Chaplain

According to the University of the West, a Buddhist-founded university near Los Angeles, US Army First Lieutenant Somya Malasri will soon be the Army’s second Buddhist Chaplain (behind Chaplain (Lt) Thomas Dyer).

The Navy also has a Buddhist Chaplain; Chaplain Shin is currently deployed to Afghanistan and has been hosting Buddhist services there.

Shin also reported, courtesy of Chaplain Dyer, the Chaplain candidacy of the next Buddhist Chaplain for the US Army, 2LT Christopher Mohr.

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