Has anyone experienced tasking issues while working as a Chaplain's Assistant? How would you have handled this situation?

PFC Eric Minchey — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 16:22:14 -0500

The situation was that while serving as a battalion chaplain assistant, I had an NCO (Platoon SGT/S1 NCOIC) who felt that if the chaplain didn't have something for me to do, then I should be put to work elsewhere (S1) until the Chaplain had a task for me. When I would inform said NCO that according to AR 165-1; he must consult with the Chaplain before assigning me with duties that do not directly relate to the functioning of the Unit Ministry Team (UMT). Said NCO would then do 2 things 1. Call BS on the AR & say I was just making an excuse to avoid work. 2. Say I was disrespecting an NCO & disobeying a lawful order from a superior. I resolved it by having the chaplain educate NCO on the AR to show that it is not BS & giving the NCO a copy of the UMT Battle Rhythm so he could know what I was doing at all times.

Response by SFC James Baber made Jan 22 at 2014 5:05 PM

SFC James Baber — Wed, 22 Jan 2014 17:05:58 -0500

Didn't you ask a similar question a few months back or someone had I thought.

You may want to research that one to see if there are some answers for you or something different that could help you.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 3 at 2014 10:54 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 03 Feb 2014 10:54:15 -0500

I had a friend of mine go through this exact situation when he was a SPC. Being the Chaplain's Assistant with no NCO leadership angered a few people. Needless to say, there wasn't much they could do to him.

Response by PFC Eric Minchey made Feb 4 at 2014 2:21 AM

PFC Eric Minchey — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 02:21:08 -0500

Another version of this situation I went through was that the battalion I was in at the time lost its chaplain due to PCS halfway through my tour leaving me alone. 1SG thought this meant I would be sitting in the chaplain's office unsupervised doing nothing all day so he tried to assign me to the orderly room until either a new chaplain arrived or my tour ended and tried to say that AR 165-1 did not apply because there was no chaplain to consult & no functioning UMT. Resolved that by having BDE Chaplain & BDE Chaplain assistant go to bat for me and by contacting the BDE CA by phone at the start and end of every duty day with a report of what I would be doing/had done that day to give me some kind of supervision. I also developed a daily schedule for myself with guidance from the BDE CA and gave copies of it to him & 1SG.

Response by SFC Stephen P. made Feb 4 at 2014 1:23 PM

SFC Stephen P. — Tue, 04 Feb 2014 13:23:02 -0500

The trick here is to understand human nature. You may not have done anything wrong, but you probably could have presented it better.

Leaders often hate to be told 'no' by subordinates. The way around this is to feign enthusiasm for their misguided plan, and then advise them on how to overcome any statutory restrictions.

My experience is similar in that USAR career counselors have regulatory restrictions in performing duties outside their primary scope. It is also quite different because I'm a senior NCO assigned in support of, but not under direct control of local units. I generally don't have to put up much of a fight when the silliness comes my way.

Response by SGT Michael Glenn made Jan 11 at 2015 1:09 PM

SGT Michael Glenn — Sun, 11 Jan 2015 13:09:21 -0500

I for one am glad to see you stood up for yourself and did it tactfully. When I was a assistant armorer I had a broke duck NCO always try to get me assigned CQ runner every time one of his soldiers was picked, always wound up with him calling me names, and my quoting AR to his confused ass. Even when I was promoted to CPL he tried, he was finally told he was border lining harassment and that I would file a complaint to the IG if it continued . He was advised by Top to lay off. Just because you are a NCO or an Officer doesnt mean your always right.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2015 7:32 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 19:32:18 -0500

"Sergeant you need to talk to my first line supervisor."

Then walk away.

If no first line supervisor the next in line BN or BDE whatever.

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Jan 12 at 2015 8:24 PM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 20:24:23 -0500

This is vaguely relevant in that eventually I did serve as an auxilliary CA.

Our "can't stand them not working" episode came at Fort Gordon when the Signal School was running 3 shifts. Our shift for 31L school started about 20:00. By the time we got back to the billets and bunked down, it was time for first shift to be up.

The Operations NCO could not stand the idea that we were just sitting around the barracks during a work day (on our own time, that is) so he came up with "Auxilliary KP" and "Special Construction Details". It was as if you got back from duty/training at 17:00 and then were immediately dragooned for a work detail until lights out. If he could find you, you had duty.

I and another victim, both of us Ham radio types, were driving around Augusta one weekend and saw a magnificent amateur HF antenna farm around a civilian residence, and decided we might as well pay a courtesy call on a brother Ham. He welcomed us.

It turned out that the owner of the antenna farm was a retired course OIC for the 05C school (Field Radio and Teletype operator). When we told him about SFC Extraduty, he looked thoughtful and then asked if we would mind attending an additional signal school. If we were interested, he would call in a marker or two back at USASESS and get us in. Since we were already qualified for nearly everything in the O5C course, we could just sail out of the billets every day, do as we pleased on our own time, and show up in class when necessary to take whatever tests we hadn't already aced in advance.

As a result, I was the first person known to become an honor graduate of two signal school courses on the same day. I was first because the other guy's surname began with 'S'.

Still have trouble remembering that SFC's name.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 12 at 2015 8:29 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 12 Jan 2015 20:29:21 -0500

That is a solid answer there, PFC Eric Minchey. You handled that very well.
However, even when you're right, you had an opportunity to be more right. Helping the team succeed is a good use of your time. Just check with the Chaplain first to make sure you aren't needed there.
Every NCO appreciates a young troop who pitches in. Very few appreciate one that is right at their expense. A few words from the Chaplain, and everyone can be a winner next time.
Good luck.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Sep 4 at 2015 9:53 PM

SFC Christopher Taggart — Fri, 04 Sep 2015 21:53:22 -0400

Boy!...things have not changed. I was a chaplain's assistant for 25 years, in the RA, AR, and NG, from 1985 to 2010. This was a constant fight between the unit and chaplain section. Unfortunately, the CA is the one that takes the brunt of it. It starts with the top-down. If the command does not support the chaplain and his assistant, its rough. Even though the CA has his duties and loyalty to his chaplain, the CA still needs to be involved in the unit, because his is still part of the unit. When activities or events come up in the unit and "volunteers" are needed, if the chaplain can spare you, please be involved. It shows "presence of ministry" and also shows to the command and other soldiers that you are a "soldier" too. And kudos about educating the NCO that didn't quite understand your role. As a young soldier, continue to follow orders, but let your chaplain know, without sounding like your "telling on him," that you were tasked by someone else. Instead of being "Sergeant Taggart" I am now just "Chris"...out.

Response by SP5 Micah Ilowit made Feb 9 at 2016 8:53 PM

SP5 Micah Ilowit — Tue, 09 Feb 2016 20:53:35 -0500

I had that issue plenty, especially since I started out as an E-2 in a battery that had not had a chaplain in about 10 years (and didn't get one until I had been with the unit for about 6 months). Honestly, I always did what I could when the chaplain didn't need me. In Afghanistan I spent a lot of time doing guard duty, riding shotgun on convoys, being an extra body on resupply birds, construction work, supervising Haji workers, etc. It earned me a lot of respect, and it also made the UMT more available, as junior enlisted were much more likely to approach me to speak with the chaplain than they were to go straight to him. Our MOS gets a bad rap, and I think it's because often times situations like yours get misread and people assume (sometimes correctly) that we're shamming while everyone else hustles.

Response by SSG Jane Doe made Feb 27 at 2016 12:57 AM

SSG Jane Doe — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 00:57:35 -0500

I would say find UMT tasks to do and get the chaplain's nod. There are hundreds of soldiers in your battalion so there should always be something for you to do. Write UFRs, plan retreats, I even had a battalion story time (which all the high ranking officials loved! It became so popular that I ended up having to come in and do it in the middle of the night for the night shift as they felt left out), if you become highly engaged and the command sees that your work is improving the performance of their soldiers they usually back off. It doesn't hurt if you have the time to show them that you can get your hands dirty like all the other troops so doing post police call or something can be a ministry opportunity for you as well. You can actively engage soldiers anywhere doing anything. It's also a good idea to network with in the NCO corp. If someone thinks just because you are the chaplain assistant they should task you all the time or keep you from your duties then that's an issue and your chaplain can handle it. If he/she chooses to defend you great if not then you just follow orders. Ultimately it is your chaplain who decides if you are doing your UMT mission or not.

Response by PO1 Kerry French made Jul 16 at 2018 8:46 PM

PO1 Kerry French — Mon, 16 Jul 2018 20:46:06 -0400

This is the kind of micromanaging that can get you thrown overboard or shot in the back later

Response by SSG K Johnson made Dec 6 at 2018 2:24 PM

SSG K Johnson — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 14:24:14 -0500

Negative, that chaplain is your lifeline and trumps all. As his assistant you are his lifeline. Being a 56 Mike is unique because your first line supervisor is a commissioned officer so he should be able to help you with that.

Response by CPT Robert Boshears made Oct 3 at 2019 8:05 PM

CPT Robert Boshears — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 20:05:48 -0400

I was afraid of our Chaplain (in the Navy). This full 4 striper had a CIB and Silver Star from his time when drafted. When he yelled attention to the morning prayer, you could hear a pin drop.