Posted on Dec 7, 2015
SSG Robert Burns
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Posted in these groups: Us medals AwardsC4086d8e Special ForcesServices military chaplaincy Chaplain
Edited >1 y ago
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TSgt Joshua Copeland
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Had an Chaplain (Catholic) early in my career that sport the long and short tabs. He was SF when enlisted in the Army. Got out, became a priest and joined the AF (so the tabs looked even MORE out of place). He credited his time in SF for his unwavering faith in God.
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CW2 UH-60M Pilot
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1LT Platoon Leader
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Take a look at the soldiers chest...he's been to AB, PF, and maybe CAB or CIB...I can't tell from this angle. Other RP members pointed out that he was most likely prior enlisted or was possibly SF junior officer & transitioned to being a Chaplain at CCC. I had an instructor at OCS that was a prior 11A with stacks of tabs but had made the move over to the Chaplain Corps. More likely though that this CPT is a mustang.
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1LT Signal Officer
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My story about hardcore chaplains: He was a fellow student with me in Combatives School. He was a really nice guy, would be very sweet and kind to anybody. But when it came to rolling on the mat, he was a true, dedicated killer. And then would apologize afterwards for it.
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SGT Lyndell Jay Parks
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the LTC. Chaplin we had in the 1-120th Inf, had been SF during Viet Nam, God called him to the field after ..... yes it is possible, not everyone enters the Religion field straight out of Seminary ....
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CPT Robert Boshears
CPT Robert Boshears
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A lot of men, and women left Nam very much changed. I was very impressed and totally happy to have a Chaplain who had not only saw but had that 1,000 meter stare. Also, I had a new Chaplain with no "high speed" decorations, but had the heart of a Lion (in the Rapid Deployment Force). My hat is off to all Chaplains...especially those who stand up to an 06 and defend his actions with an internal and professional convictions, where anyone else would cower and say yes sir. Look up the Chaplains who served in Vietnam Nam who didn't live, but got the MOH. Takes more than guts to give the last rites over a deceased Lance Corporal, then cover his dead body under fire.
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SFC Retired
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I once had a chaplain who was SF in prior service, so yes, this is highly possible
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SPC Boxx
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He was a marine before, got out became a Chaplin and was in a a special forces unit, and was allowed to attend the q course i know him. Think his last name is smith look him up on ako
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LTC Eric Coger
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Of course. He could be prior service or had gone to the Q course as a Chaplain to SF Group... stranger things have happened.
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1SG First Sergeant
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My first Brigade Chaplain was a LTC. He was SF for several years during the Vietnam war when he entire team was KIA with the exception of him. At that time he thought he was saved for a reason and became an Army Chaplain to help Soldiers around him. He had his long tab with many other decorations. I will tell you that he was the most feared, sought after and respected man in our BDE. As for the CAB, that was probably awarded after becoming a chaplain. As he is no longer Combat Arms and he could have been engaged by the enemy wether it be small arms fire, IED or indirect Fire.
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LTC Norman Emery
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One of the primary soldiers profiled in book "Black Hawk Down" went on to become a chaplain and returned to the Regiment. Had it all
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LTC Field Artillery Officer
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Yes, this is possible. As I am sure some have mentioned already, Chaplains can wear any awards, decorations or badges they earned prior to becoming a Chaplain. Although I have never seen one with a SF tab, I have seen several with Ranger Tabs, so it is possible.
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CPT Senior Instructor
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I have seen some random stuff. It seems legit. A lot of guys do other things when they commission. Maybe one day you will commission and be an SF officer.
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SPC Matt Johnson
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we had a Chaplin that got caught in a ambush and picked up a weapon and fired back at the enemy back in 2003 Afghanistan. Also he could have been a regular soldier before he became a chaplin
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SSG (ret) William Martin
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Maybe he was on the dark, and he walked to the light.
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SSG Squad Leader
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While it is not the norm. There are chaplains in the army that come from many other places in the army. I was in Germany with a chaplain that had been infantry and had used his GI bill to pay for seminary and was a chaplain. It is quite possible that this person was long tabbed and then later became a Chaplain. My question SSG Robert Burns before you said he was stolen valor did you ask him did you talk to him at all?
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MSG Kevin Elliott
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He's an SF Chaplain. He could have been awarded the CAB prior to or while serving as a Chaplain. Depends on where he's been and what happened while he was there.
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CW2 UH-60 Pilot
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Yes, this can happen. Who knows how many years of service he has. Or he could have had a large break in service. He could also be one of those guys who missed deployments to Afghanistan or Iraq because his BN or Company didn't rotate over there. That totally depends on which group he was with, when he was with them, or how long he was with them prior to becoming a chaplain.
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SFC Intelligence Analyst
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Edited >1 y ago
My old Chaplain was an E8 18Z before he decided to do the Lord's work and applied to be a Chaplain. He's at 7th SF Group (last I checked), but was at Polk and Drum before that.

It's entirely possible, though not common.
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LTC John Wilson
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Former enlisted that was commissioned later. Is possible and has been awarded many times over the years. God bless our troops.
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SGT Alicia Brenneis
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For a CAB you only have to be within 50ft of enemy rounds. You don't have to have fired back. He could have been in a convoy that got hit or close to incoming morter/rocket rounds. Never seen a Chaplin with one before though.
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MAJ Steven Szymurski
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I had a chaplain in my unit that had prior service as an enlisted man in Viet Nam before attending a seminar and then being commissioned as a chaplain in the Army.
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MAJ Alvin B.
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Many people f the TRADOC schools use a similar patch design, the diamond shape a torch and somethings else.

It is possible to have the CAB and the Cross
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SGT Squad Leader
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Did you go ask him. Most of the time someone will tell you there story, all's you have to do is ask.
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SGM Gregory Rock
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I know a Chaplain who was enlisted Infantry and then became a Chaplain. He not only holds a CIB, but a TUS Badge. Very possible!
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PO1 William "Chip" Nagel
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If I'm not mistaken there are 8 Chaplains with an MOH. I see no problem with it.
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