Hans Zeiger says, “The chaplain serves soldiers, sailors and airmen in a way that civilian clergy cannot.” As military chaplains live with the soldiers while on deployment and on bases, the chaplain corps has a unique opportunity to minister to the men and women of the service branches. Chaplains assist soldiers with counseling, leading religious services and keeping up morale. Since the conception of the Army Chaplain Corps, certain times of struggle have brought controversy. However, the chaplains continue to lead others in their spiritual walk. With the stresses of war come great obstacles for chaplains to deal with, on the other hand, great rewards also come with chaplaincy. Throughout history, chaplains have served a vital role in the …show more content…
Erika Andersen, a contributor to Forbes, says even though we may see leaders as a “John Wayne-like character. . .”, effective leaders know when to ask others for help. In the military, men and women train to rely on themselves as well as their team; however, service men and women have an amazing stubbornness at times and that can end up detrimental for their health. Chaplains serve as counselors to those who find themselves in times of hardship. Any conversation with a chaplain has a special confidentiality that talking to other soldiers cannot offer. Because chaplains consider all opportunities to assist others as sacred, they respect the confidentiality of any conversation. God has used chaplains in amazing ways in very hard situations. In the book, Miracles and Moments of Grace: Inspiring Stories From Military Chaplains, by Nancy Kennedy, she illustrates the story of U.S. Army Chaplain James Blount. Chaplain Blount served on a deployment to Kosovo, during that deployment, God put him in the right place at the right time. A soldier on base had started shooting at his comrades to try to get them to shoot him, Blount counseled the soldier before any tragedy unfolded, eventually talking him out of any action and preventing a tragedy from happening. Even though counseling can challenge chaplains, it can prove one of the most rewarding tasks of
This clinical vignette examines a sample case scenario which consist of myself as the pastoral of a Metropolitan church where I have over 5000 members. The majority of the parishioners are members of the Armed Forces and family members. In doing my daily duties a young sergeant comes and seek help about some issues he have been dealing with for year, however less than 5 years ago he was diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression. As he introduce him as Sergeant Jonathan stating that he have heard of the many service members that have received Spiritual Counseling under my guidance and it would benefit to come for a visit. Sergeant Jonathan stated that due to my military service connection he feels comfortable discussing
military members who share harsh, traumatic, or even funny events obviously become closer through the bond of a mutual experience. This is particularly true for Marine infantry; many Marine are brought up in different areas of the US, with different values, ages, religious and political beliefs. However different we all might look on the outside, the fact that we’ve all been through good times and bad with each other makes us closer than any civilian could understand. After being a Marine, I find that I’m close to, and always will be, than my civilian friends who I’ve known for years. Along with this, Pressfield talks about how, under all the glory and allure of fighting for one’s country exists the real reason that warriors fight; for our brothers in arms. Political beliefs, government stances, and flags go out the window, only to be replaced by concern for the safety and well-being of the men to our left and right. All of these things are reasons why it is difficult for civilians to understand what it’s like to be a warrior. This is perhaps embodied best in our motto, Semper Fidelis; Always Faithful, to our brothers and those who depend on
The lower enlisted soldiers find it easier to talk with someone that is working beside them and can relate to them on their level. The soldiers are able to open up knowing that they can relate and that what is shared will stay confidential unless it is a danger to themselves or others. This allows room for the chaplain assistant to come in to encourage and give them any resources they may need (Army Training Support Center, 2016). Chaplain assistants are well informed on how to handle a distressed solider. In lesson 9 it discussed about how to have a positive response in two different ways pertaining to a solider that is distressed. The first response is called a verbal response. A verbal response is a person that validates and supports the other person’s statement. The second response is called a non-verbal response. A non-verbal response is the body language/expressions that are communicated to others without the use of words ("Lesson 9: Respond to a Distressed Individual", 2016).
Staff Sergeant (SSGT) Louis Moeller shaped me into the Recon Marine I wanted to be and the Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) that I am now. By embodying the Recon Creed and always setting the example, he made me want to be an NCO that my troops would look up to and want to follow. Even when not in charge he was constantly the one peers and junior Marines alike, turned to for guidance and inspiration. To this day, I still find myself asking “What would Louis do?” when confronted with a leadership dilemma.
Colonel Mathew Moten once said, “Professions are not professions simply because they say they are. Their clients, society as a whole, have to accept their claims and trust the professions with jurisdiction over important areas of human endeavor”.
Military Sexual Trauma, also known as MST. What is it and why is it important? MST refers to psychological trauma resulting from a sexual assault or repeated, threatening harassment experienced during military service (pg. 3). Now, let us take a moment and think about the relevance of this subject? When we think of our women in combat, what do we see? We see strong and courteous females. But have we ever thought about what could be lurking underneath all that armor?
Canadian military soldiers have been fighting for the country’s freedom and justice for many years. Soldiers have been dedicating their lives to protect the citizens of Canada by facing horrible circumstances such as killing, injuries, and new environments, which leave the soldiers’ well-being in a devastating condition. In recent years, the issue of soldiers’ health has become more apparent. Soldiers are coming back from deployment with poorer health statuses then pervious years and not getting the services they need, affecting the various strategies health care providers particularly nurses use. The government or military has not done enough to provide soldiers with adequate resources after deployment, mainly focusing on providing them with
The United States of America has a long history of trying to provide support and benefits for the men (and recently women) who have fought for the country dating back to the Colonial War time in 1636. The Pilgrims passed a law saying the colony would care for the disabled soldiers who fought against Native Americans (U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs, 2015b). During this time, it was customary for veterans to receive pensions for their service during war-time. This effort was made to prevent desertions and to encourage more men to enlist. Another effort the U.S. government made was to offer public land free to men who fought in the war due to only 3,000 men drawing on the pensions offered during the Revolutionary
The U.S. military is a strong force and body that protects and serves the American people. Many people support the military and some even disagree with it. What people forget is that without a military the U.S. would be totally over run by foreign countries claiming ground. The military also helps with the nation’s economy boosting the balance of money in the works. Families have trouble with members who serve since there is always chance that they never return but it is because of their service that we are still a free country. Even though the military causes pain to families when a loved one is lost, the U.S. needs a military because with a military the economy increases and that without a military we would be invaded by a dictator or foreign
“Why would you want to interview me when there are plenty of people back home that would be easier to interview in person?” asks John Stout. He is about 5’11, has dark black hair and his eyes are a rich chocolaty brown. He is tan and has a strong muscular body. John is currently deployed in Bagram Afghanistan. He departed on July 7th, 2016 and will not return until April of 2017. He grew up in Fort Ripley, MN and graduated from Brainerd High School in 2014. John is very close with his Mother, Father, Brother and Sister. He grew up with a wrench in his hand and always helped his Father work on project cars and fixing things around the house. To John, family is everything. His family always took vacations and every summer, he gets to travel around the United States for Army training. John grew up in a military family. His Father works as a Warrant Officer in the Minnesota National Guard and his Brother, Curtis, is in the Marine Corps and is also deployed right now.John has always wanted to serve his country
“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me: he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” Isaiah 61:1-2 NRSV. This is the call to all Christians and particularly those ordained or authorized for ministry by the church. Traditionally chaplains have been viewed as religious experts, the ones with the knowledge of the Bible, the ability to perform specific religious functions, the “hotline” in prayer, the ones to call in the face of ethical issues, a confidential ear in all circumstances. As religious experts chaplains are expected to have a more intimate awareness of the Bible and of God’s saving plan for humanity, of God’s love, healing and promises, of answers fo...
The American army is a unique and rare opportunity where many nationalities, beliefs, and ideals come together in one place and must unite for a greater cause. This diverse population, which reflects the larger American population, allowed for the government to experiment on the management of religion for the nation. The Army consisted of many different religious views and chaplains were used to facilitate and regulate these religions. During the WWII, the 1940’s, the majority of people in the military were either Protestant, Catholic, or Jew...
...stitution. Chaplaincy taught one the importance of caring for the patient as a whole; mind, body, and soul. This can help improve the overall care that any health provider gives and can help prevent further admission to the hospital with the same condition. It is also important to promote good health to patients, and as well to ourselves. One can get caught up in giving quality healthy living tips to patients, but as care providers, using our knowledge on health can also improve our own health and living habits.
In Mark Twain's The War Prayer, he points out that prayers always carry with them a dark kind of side. This makes me curious as to why people pray for the death of others. Prayers that ask for victory in war are wishing that god will destroy their enemies. The losing side in a war must suffer death and destruction but why must prayers ask god to do this? Mainly, Twain’s essay shows to readers that praying for success in war is also praying for the defeat of another nation, plus it is ironic since the people that are praying for the destruction of others are taking place of peace which is the church. Mark Twain uses of language in the story is very sarcastic. His use of sarcasm in the story is when the old guy first walks in and basically mock
The shepherd and sheep relationship is the best illustration for the relationship between pastor and parishioners. When Jesus asked Simon Peter does he love him three times and said to him “Feed my sheep”, the shepherd and flock relationship has been set. Since Jesus is our good shepherd (Jn. 10:11a), he laid out a good example for us to follow - to lay down his life for the sheep. (Jn. 10:11b) Thus, the wellness of both in and out of the parishioners should always be the concern in the pastors’ hearts. Soul care for the people is essential. Christian friendship is the foundation of Christian soul care. Pastoral ministry including preaching, teaching, and worship forms the broad context of pastoral counseling. Pastoral care is within pastoral ministry but broader than pastoral counseling. God’s love is the source and motivation. Within the pastoral care, there are spiritual direction and pastoral