What are you opinions on Chaplain Assistants getting "Special Treatment" from their units?

2014-04-02T22:26:27-04:00

What are you opinions on Chaplain Assistants getting "Special Treatment" such as exemption from CQ/Staff duty, Comp-Time for working Chapel Services on the weekends, etc. from their units?<div><div><br></div><div>What do you think should Chaplain Assistants be treated differently or should they be treated the same as any other soldier in the unit? <br></div></div>

Response by SPC Charles Brown made Apr 2 at 2014 10:28 PM

2014-04-02T22:28:41-04:00

You are first and foremost a soldier and as such you should be treated the same pulling the same duties of the other soldiers. My opinion.

Response by SPC Ken Crabb made Apr 3 at 2014 12:18 AM

2014-04-03T00:18:48-04:00

Back when I was active (late 90's) the Chaplain Assistants had other duties that took the place of some from the unit. For example, we didn't pull ZQ but we had to man the Chaplain's help line. We pulled that duty more often thant other pulled CQ with the company.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Apr 4 at 2014 10:33 PM

2014-04-04T22:33:53-04:00

There are Chaplains Assistants? They Work? Sorry for the teasing and sarcasm. We have lots of duties and jobs in the military, Some you are going to take a bit of ribbing for. Served on a Nuclear Cruiser we had one Chaplain and he had one assistant. I think the Chaplain's assistant was assigned to the Adminitrative/Clerical Division/Department and drew the same garbage that the rest of us in Operations Did. Petty Officer of the Watch, what have you. Never worked for me, I usually drew me a Knarly old Boatswains Mate as my Petty Officer of the Watch when I was Officer of the Deck.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Apr 4 at 2014 10:48 PM

2014-04-04T22:48:13-04:00

PFC Minchey, Are you singling out Chaplain Assistants for any particular reason? Are there any other soldiers who receive special treatment of which you have not expressed a grievance about? I want to make sure you're not singling out CAs because of a personal bias because of the CA's unique position of working for a Chaplain. I am far from being a CA, as you can see I am an MP. While we worked the road, we did not pull any duties like CQ or SD. Who ever was not on the road or non MPs would pull those duties. Is that special treatment?

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 4 at 2014 11:32 PM

2014-04-04T23:32:52-04:00

<font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><font face="Times New Roman" size="2"><p align="LEFT">Chaplain Assistants will be provided time off for duties performed during hours which fall outside the normal duty day as established by the unit training schedule, weekends, and holidays. All other absences will be in accordance with AR 600–8–10. </p></font></font>

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2014 3:19 AM

2014-04-05T03:19:17-04:00

PFC Minchey because of your unique job as a Chaplains
Assistant and typically the only in a Battalion formation. You will always come
across soldiers and leaders that are blind to what you do on day to day bases.
If a soldier or leader comes to you to complain that you are being lazy or
shaming out of work all you need to do is with tact and respect explain what
your task to do at the moment. If that person whats to continue to
"zent" so to speak let them; then just put a 5lb bag of salt on it
and let it go.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 12 at 2014 7:35 PM

2014-04-12T19:35:34-04:00

I think every Soldier and his/her duties should be taken into consideration for such duties. A Soldier that runs a position or shop alone deserves careful consideration for CQ/Staff Duty. A lone Supply Sergeant/Soldier on CQ today isn't doing ANY supply actions tomorrow in most cases- unless the Chain of Command cares little for Soldiers' welfare.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2015 10:59 AM

2015-05-23T10:59:48-04:00

AR 165-1 covers both of those topics.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 11 at 2017 4:50 PM

2017-08-11T16:50:52-04:00

are you kidding me so you want me to have more duties then the average soldier such as be on2-3 will your just on 1-2 think before you speak. Also are duty only falls on sat and Sundays so why shouldn't we get time off.

Response by SPC Roger Giffen made Sep 4 at 2017 6:15 PM

2017-09-04T18:15:37-04:00

Most every chaplains assistants I ever ran into while in the Army were soldiers that had washed out of their primary jobs. never had any respect for them.

Response by COL Brian Shea made Sep 4 at 2017 6:54 PM

2017-09-04T18:54:41-04:00

Interesting question. And though this would be an NCO issue here's my two cents without looking at the governing regs: What are their normal duties like? Working weekends (or nights) is nothing unusual for most Soldiers. Unless they are subject to some other duty that others aren't, it may be a hard sell. Then again, once upon a time I was exempted from CQ Runner duty over the winter months because I was playing hockey for the UN Command hockey team in Korea. :)

Response by SGT Alejandro Benavides made Sep 4 at 2017 9:15 PM

2017-09-04T21:15:06-04:00

Well considering that Chaplain Assistants don't work for a company, they're just assigned to an Headquarters Company and they live in battalion, I said let them. If someone came to me seeking spiritual help after doing the things that probably require divine intervention, I'd probably want the weekend to myself to drink more than is humanly possible.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2017 9:42 PM

2017-09-04T21:42:29-04:00

This is not a fun job and it is not like every day is Sunday either.

Response by Cpl Joseph Roberts made Sep 4 at 2017 10:17 PM

2017-09-04T22:17:10-04:00

To a couple of senior leaders who replied that CAs should serve like any other soldier should also then consider that any soldier should then serve as a CA. To blindly label everyone the same is poor judgement.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 4 at 2017 10:50 PM

2017-09-04T22:50:44-04:00

Why does everyone get so butt hurt about what other people do???

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2017 1:39 AM

2017-09-05T01:39:47-04:00

Ultimately it gets down to the chaplain he or she works for and the NCO or E4s desire to make any influence on the unit. Some chaplain assistants I've seen were not worth a tinkers dam. Others were true professionals eager to serve alongside and "minister to" their colleagues and comrades in arms. Using the status of chaplain assistant to get any special treatment would for those folks violate all they believe and hold dear. No one should ever expect the chaplain assistant to be overt about his or her creed belief systems (it's a definite plus to have some "invisible means of support" as they used to say) but I saw chaplain assistants with every belief world view possible or none at all. What the soldiers should expect is someone there fully committed to assisting the Chaplain in delivering unit ministry consistent with the mission/vision of the Brigade or Bn chaplaincy. My experience with chaplain assistants have been limited--- but my wife has known many of their wives at the base PWOC fellowship. We seem to have or at least my wife and I encountered a few chaplain assistants who came across as irresponsible young men married to manipulative "needy" wives. I do think with only rare exceptions the chaplain assistant should be an MOS restricted to NCOs

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2017 1:41 AM

2017-09-05T01:41:14-04:00

No special exemptions or privileges. If they are there to serve the soldiers they need to be with the soldiers where they are.

Response by SPC Leo Van Groll made Sep 5 at 2017 10:11 AM

2017-09-05T10:11:38-04:00

I was a cook in the Army. No one complained about us not having to stand in formations, pulling guard/cq....etc...... My guess is when they were on cq & saw me headed to the mess hall at 3:30 am they figured it out.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2017 12:30 PM

2017-09-05T12:30:26-04:00

Leave it be, don't stir the pot. I know we use to get comp time for Bn SDNCO duty.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 5 at 2017 12:34 PM

2017-09-05T12:34:40-04:00

Why get upset about what someone else is doing at their job? If it sounds so great, just transfer over and do that job yourself. Just my opinion...

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 10:27 AM

2018-01-20T10:27:21-05:00

Back in my last unit 5-4 Cav @ Fort Riley the SCO has a policy that mechanics didn’t do cq/staff duty because he would rather us work 9-5 in the MP maintaining the fleet than doing a 24 hr shift and having the next day off. Guy was brilliant and we didn’t have too many vehicles on the deadline report.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Jan 20 at 2018 10:34 AM

2018-01-20T10:34:32-05:00

1. Look at the nature of their duty position- I have seen my chaplain every where my unit was, and his driver was his chaplain assistant. Chaplain's have no set schedule of duty, o their assistants may have to be on call constantly. 2, They maintain the chapel, no one else and who knows how long their duty day maybe. I suggest you leave them alone, let the chaplain's worry about them and attend your own responsibilities.

Response by CW4 Scott Hyde made Jan 20 at 2018 10:56 AM

2018-01-20T10:56:13-05:00

I love a great whine! I mean a great wine.

Response by SFC Christopher Taggart made Jan 20 at 2018 11:14 AM

2018-01-20T11:14:44-05:00

Being a CA for 25 years, I think I've seen it all. Chaplains need to have you available at any moment, and I know it can be difficult sometimes, but also be available to soldiers and identify with them, and NOT someone special. You still have to do what is required of you as a soldier in the unit. The Chaplain and you, need to get with the command, when you first get to the unit and layout what Chaplain's Assistants do and what is required by the Chaplain, otherwise you are looked at, as having a "cake job" and a "slacker." In my experience, I sometimes had CQ/Staff Duty during the week.

Response by SGT Bob Taylor made Jan 20 at 2018 11:48 AM

2018-01-20T11:48:52-05:00

A friend volunteered in Vietnam for Chaplain’s Assistant and after going out with him in the field as they were under attack and Chaplain was going solder to soldier, some wounded, etc said he could not wait to get back to I volunteer as he put it. “The Chaplain had someone up there watching out for him. I don’t have any one”.

Response by PV2 Mark Zehner made Jan 20 at 2018 11:54 AM

2018-01-20T11:54:02-05:00

I figured if I did my job they did theirs never cared

Response by CW3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 3:20 PM

2018-01-20T15:20:05-05:00

Every job has perks. Some let you grow facial hair. Some "deploy" you to 5 star hotels in Qatar. Some pay more money for special skills. Some work shifts and have three day weekend all the time.

I promise you, they also all have a good deal of crap piled on them too. If the grass is greener on the other side, reclass. If you don't like your job and the perks, or lack of, then change jobs or get out. This is a volunteer force. None of you are serving beyond your initial contract for any reason than you chose to.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 3:52 PM

2018-01-20T15:52:51-05:00

Ok this not entirely true because the chaplains assistant in our unit does CQ and details not as often but he does. He’s even done BOC duty runner.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Jan 20 at 2018 5:01 PM

2018-01-20T17:01:36-05:00

If they are Non Combatants you have to respect that but they have to know how to survive with their unit.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 7:06 PM

2018-01-20T19:06:37-05:00

Look, it really depends on what you would consider Special Treatment for Chaplain’s Assistants. Are you one of them or just a wannabe?

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 7:15 PM

2018-01-20T19:15:37-05:00

As a Specialist Five crypto tech, my name never appeared on any duty roster until that horrid day when we turned in it sham shields for hard stripes and the CSM decided all "his" NCOs would pull CQ, SDNCO, Headcount etc. That policy lasted until the Signal Center realized that all of us full maintenance types were not available one day because we had pulled or were pulling various duties around post. The CSM was told to "shut up and color" when the Commander of USSCAFG over ruled his policy and had all of us taken off the DA-6. Trust me, when you're exempt from the duty roster there's usually a real good reason.

Response by CH (LTC) Robert Leroe made Jan 20 at 2018 7:33 PM

2018-01-20T19:33:26-05:00

When you consider that they work weekends and holidays, a Chaplain Assistant's life isn't all that plush. I had soldiers inquire about becoming one, and when they heard this, they said, "I'll see you later."

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 20 at 2018 7:45 PM

2018-01-20T19:45:01-05:00

You do your work and do it well. If your mind is on other people and their work, your not focus on yours. We all have our part, they have theirs.

Response by CW3 Kevin Storm made Jan 20 at 2018 8:04 PM

2018-01-20T20:04:05-05:00

In my opinion to many units (Guard wise, pick the wimpy bible thumper to be the Chaplains Assistance, but once you get in theater, the Chaplains some bad ass escort to make sure we get the Chaplain back in the vertical positon rather than the horizontal position. My unit had of only 2 Roman Catholic Chaplains the year I was in Iraq, that man had more flight time then most of the pilots. He needed a bad ass, more so after his normal assistant froze during a convoy ambush. Chaplains need muscle with office skill set, not thumpers IMHO.

Response by SGT Joshua Strup made Jan 20 at 2018 8:56 PM

2018-01-20T20:56:09-05:00

Every MOS has its advantages and disadvantages. Be grateful for the perks you have and don't get upset by the ones others have.

Response by Eric Lund made Jan 20 at 2018 8:56 PM

2018-01-20T20:56:32-05:00

Chaplains and Assistants in most cases are not regular soldiers just like Medics and Cooks they have a specific function within the service and should not be used as you would a regular soldier every other class of soldier is defined as a combat application. Medics Chaplains and Cooks are there to serve the needs of the soldiers as such combat or no they always have something to be doing specifically related to their MOS. While combat MOS's just have to maintain a state of readiness which in most cases is just busy work such as PT Combat training, Guard duty, Staff duty, inventory, Maintenance, Etc. these people are busy already setting up services and conducting services, hearing confessions, counseling soldiers. so yes I believe they should get the "Special Treatment" as you call it of doing their job. However with all that said, dont let them sit on their ass either they better be working!

Response by SFC Phillip Allen made Jan 20 at 2018 10:55 PM

2018-01-20T22:55:11-05:00

Weekend services are part of their duties. It goes with the territory. All soldiers are “on duty” 24/7 , but if your regular duties require you to work outside of regular duty hours, then you are authorized to fairly compensated with adequate time off. I don’t see a problem with this.

Response by TSgt Rudy Adame made Jan 21 at 2018 9:12 AM

2018-01-21T09:12:24-05:00

They should be treated differently..when I was active duty. My chaplain requested to my Commander, that be given a week off to teach Vacation Bible School.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 10:37 AM

2018-01-21T10:37:54-05:00

If I had subordinates working weekends I would fight to get them time off if possible. It’s called being a leader it’s our job. My point is you are treated the same as any joe would be in the same position.

Response by SSG Kyle Woodrow made Jan 21 at 2018 3:47 PM

2018-01-21T15:47:13-05:00

Don't worry about what other people are doing. Worry about yourself and yourself alone.

Response by 1SG Jim Scully made Jan 21 at 2018 4:34 PM

2018-01-21T16:34:26-05:00

They should be treated the same... I worked in an 7 X 24 shops for 20 years and received no special treatment..

Response by PV2 Michael Whiddon made Jan 21 at 2018 4:39 PM

2018-01-21T16:39:49-05:00

This isn't going how you planed, is it?

Response by SGT Stuart Griffin made Jan 21 at 2018 4:53 PM

2018-01-21T16:53:57-05:00

Every job has it's perks and downers, even in the military. I once had a roommate that was a cook. He was in and out of the barracks at some truly bizarre hours nearly every day.
Another buddy was infantry. Yes, they were in the field often, but when they weren't, they had next to nothing to do for long periods.
I was former MI that became a generator mechanic. I kept getting borrowed for every side mission imaginable since I had a TS-SCI & NATO Secret clearances and a skill that was needed at every remote location that had generators.
I thought that I would stay, "in the rear with the gear." Boy, was I ever wrong. First take a guess where generators are used most. That's right, at remote posts and forward deployed units. My security clearance also meant I got put on missions others couldn't do.
I got deployed repeatedly and put on countless TDY's with other units, sometimes in rather hostile places (3 OSR's, GWOTEM, GWOTSM, AFEM, AFSM, NATO (Former Yugoslavia), KDSM, etc.).
I suggest you should find out what someone's job description is before passing judgment. Chances are you have no idea.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 5:29 PM

2018-01-21T17:29:56-05:00

I agree. Chaplins assistants don't do any hard duty, get comp days and get to go on all sorts of awesome trips. They need to make them work way more!! Nah just kidding lol.. Every job in the Army comes with pros and cons. Never seen one with more pros tho, ever.. All you need to do is worry about you and what you're doing. You'll be fine.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 6:36 PM

2018-01-21T18:36:26-05:00

Treated the same because we are all soldiers.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 6:39 PM

2018-01-21T18:39:52-05:00

When come to God mission and duty, I never question it. Message received and understood.

Response by SSG John Mitchell made Jan 21 at 2018 6:58 PM

2018-01-21T18:58:11-05:00

My understanding, they BELONG to the Chaplain. Meaning He\She is their direct Supervisor. The Chaplain may belong to an HHC or HHD on paper BUT according to Regulation & IG, they and their personnel are exempt from Duty. They also recieve BAS even if they live in the Barracks because they, even more than a regular Service member are on DUTY 24\7.

Response by SSG Nick Myers made Jan 21 at 2018 7:20 PM

2018-01-21T19:20:16-05:00

I am a Retired Chaplain Assistant NCOIC! We worked crazy hours in garrison. Sometimes 6 and 7 days a week! Then you have spiritual retreats etc. They do enough! There is no need for a 56M to be added to any duty roster because he/she is already on one.

Response by PO1 Barbara Matthews made Jan 21 at 2018 7:33 PM

2018-01-21T19:33:52-05:00

I was a Navy Hospital Corpsman. Sailors contently complained about us not pulling certain duties. Those same whiners would wake one of us up in the middle of the night if they had a headache.

Response by SGT Roger L Ormsbee made Jan 21 at 2018 7:38 PM

2018-01-21T19:38:07-05:00

Stop worrying about what other people just do your job

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 8:17 PM

2018-01-21T20:17:04-05:00

That’s absurd!

Response by SGT Josh Johnson made Jan 21 at 2018 8:22 PM

2018-01-21T20:22:54-05:00

I was a 19D. Combat NOW's don't have "real" work to do, on a daily basis. We only did our job while on deployment. The rest of the time, that we spent stateside was either training, or maintaining equipment/ vehicles. There is only so much training you can do, especially since training funds aren't exactly unlimited. We pulled a lot of CQ, gate guard, odd details. I mean, why shouldn't we? We only earned our money while overseas; unlike everyone else who had regular jobs to do every day. Our time to sit back and relax was between missions, during deployments, when all of the other Joe's got to pull details. I mean, we maintained ourselves, like burning crap, and guarding ourselves, but gate duty was reserved for soldiers that didn't have to leave the base camp every other day.

Response by SPC Aaron Miller made Jan 21 at 2018 9:22 PM

2018-01-21T21:22:08-05:00

As a chaplain assistant myself, my chain of command was the Chaplain and then the Battalion Commander. My responsibilities included duties related to all the S shops as well as care of the chapel, preparing for services, schedule for the chapel, PMCS of the Chaplain’s Humvee, and monitoring and reporting on morale of the unit. As well as being available for soldiers to come and talk to me confidentially in times of need.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 21 at 2018 11:18 PM

2018-01-21T23:18:18-05:00

Stop worrying about every other mos and just be proficient in yours.

Response by SGT Jack Stevens made Jan 22 at 2018 1:27 AM

2018-01-22T01:27:15-05:00

Actually nothing has changed. This has always been the unwritten rule when it came to the Chaplin and the Chaplin's Assitstant.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 2:05 AM

2018-01-22T02:05:49-05:00

Seeing as how they are always on call, work every Sunday for the most part and frequently work during their off time I have no problem with them being exempted. Aside from that they have to be ready to respond at a moment's notice

Response by SSG Jeff Gerfen made Jan 22 at 2018 6:03 AM

2018-01-22T06:03:03-05:00

Chaplains Assistants should be treated like any other soldier, they are after all soldiers and because chaplains are usually considered non combatants it’s the chaplains assistant that helps keep him safe in wartime situations, it’s the chaplains assistant that carries the M-16, I know the Army has new weapons but in my day it was the M-16. But, yeah, they should be exempt from those other duties even if it to ensure the chaplain has everything he needs to administer religious services to the troops, but he still needs to be update on infantry tactics, range qualification and anything else soldiers need to know

Response by MSG John Hovey made Jan 22 at 2018 6:52 AM

2018-01-22T06:52:05-05:00

Having served as a cook and Mess Sergeant, I recall common sense prevailing. Same holds true for chaplain's assistant.

Response by SGT Jim Tough made Jan 22 at 2018 7:05 AM

2018-01-22T07:05:46-05:00

They have a different job than the average Joe. They have a job to do for the Chaplain. I BELIEVE they have only 1 assistant. I could be wrong.

Response by CPT Tom Monahan made Jan 22 at 2018 7:33 AM

2018-01-22T07:33:45-05:00

Chaplain Assistants are always on call. They work weekends and are charged with maintaining the chapel; the chaplian’s vehicle, schedule, office, and equipment. They also assist or fill in for the chaplain in matters of troop counseling, services, and other Command needs.

Response by SSG Dwight Fields made Jan 22 at 2018 9:42 AM

2018-01-22T09:42:23-05:00

They are on call 24/7
Leave em be.

Response by SGT David Nicholas made Jan 22 at 2018 9:51 AM

2018-01-22T09:51:25-05:00

They should be treated the same! They swore an oath and wear the same uniform as other soldiers who are required to perform the same duties even on the weekends

Response by SGT Greg McCall made Jan 22 at 2018 10:20 AM

2018-01-22T10:20:27-05:00

Different mission different guidelines...

Response by SGT Chad Berck made Jan 22 at 2018 10:41 AM

2018-01-22T10:41:11-05:00

Worry about your own self. They got duties. You don’t even know.

Response by CPO Dave Shrader made Jan 22 at 2018 10:50 AM

2018-01-22T10:50:29-05:00

Everyone must be treated the same.

Response by CPL Steve Meister made Jan 22 at 2018 10:53 AM

2018-01-22T10:53:49-05:00

Before I rotated out of the Army, (1970), I pulled guard duty twice in the 3 months before leaving, and KP 4 days before getting out.. Cry me a river...

Response by SPC Joshua Vazquez made Jan 22 at 2018 11:10 AM

2018-01-22T11:10:53-05:00

I know in my unit during our tour in Iraq, the chaplains assistant's main duty was being the chaplains bodyguard on top of everything else he had to do, truly remarkable guy, he was a reservist and his civilian job was sherriffs department swat team in New Hampshire, our chaplains assistant didn't only make sure on base activities for the chaplains were set, but also scouted and set up security for all the chaplains civil affairs missions in villages throughout central and southern Iraq. And to top off all his long hours, 24/7 activities since our unit had only one chaplain and hundreds of soldiers working round the clock, the chaplains assistant also got notified while in the sandbox about his the mother of his children, his wife, another service woman, passing away on base statesite leaving him to be a single father.

Response by 2LT Jonathan Brodhagen made Jan 22 at 2018 12:44 PM

2018-01-22T12:44:21-05:00

I was a chaplains assistant. It’s for the same reason that a colonels driver is exempt. Chaplains assistants have to be available to the chaplain 24/7. Also, I’m garrison chaplains assistants have to often pull other weekend duties that other soldiers have to do. Each mos is different, and I think it’s frustrating how some soldiers will complain about a different mos....

Response by SFC Fred Youngs made Jan 22 at 2018 12:53 PM

2018-01-22T12:53:46-05:00

I was in Maintenance my whole career. Most of my time we were exempt from pulling CQ and Staff Duty etc. But we worked late until 2000hrs. Most nights and worked a lot of Sat. We got no pay back for the hours worked.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 1:35 PM

2018-01-22T13:35:13-05:00

There a different positions exempted from the DA6 for specific reasons, CAs should be exempt as they are essentially on call 24/7 at the Chaplains need. Should the unit armorer have to pull CQ? Hope that alarm doesnt trip during his 24 hours down after duty.
Sincerely,
Not a Chaplains assistant!

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 1:58 PM

2018-01-22T13:58:06-05:00

They should be treated like soldiers. Liberty/freetime isn’t a right it’s a privilege

Response by SPC Christopher McMahon made Jan 22 at 2018 2:24 PM

2018-01-22T14:24:03-05:00

How about you worry about you, and let the Army worry about the tiny number of chaplains assistants. I’m sure there is a reason for the rule.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 3:26 PM

2018-01-22T15:26:33-05:00

They shouldn't be expected to do CQ Duty

Response by SPC Eric Zimmerer made Jan 22 at 2018 4:11 PM

2018-01-22T16:11:08-05:00

I've been on an ftx and we were mock attacked. One of the first men we captured trying to sneak into our AO was the Chaplain Assistant. That was in 91. I had a respect for him, he didn't hide in the rear and we were Field Artillery

Response by SPC Jason West made Jan 22 at 2018 5:01 PM

2018-01-22T17:01:12-05:00

I was a Col driver. Yep no special duties. But have spent weekend in the office doing paperwork and slide shit for some meeting. Have an alert that only staff had to show up for yep was considered staff. In office half hour before him and leave when he leaves. Yes it does perks but shits also.

Response by SPC Emil Raab made Jan 22 at 2018 5:17 PM

2018-01-22T17:17:18-05:00

As an E-4 at fort hood, I had the privilege of having permission to drive My Humvee without a TC, 94-97. with that privilege came the privilege of pulling duty driver a lot more than most others, to include DISCOM and Battalion duty driver on consecutive weekends with CQ on the next weekend. I still had to do my normal job as well. So I just say, with privileges com responsibility's.

Response by MGySgt Theodore Loepp made Jan 22 at 2018 5:58 PM

2018-01-22T17:58:38-05:00

Plenty of people work over the weekend WTF should they be treated any more special or get perks.

Response by CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 6:17 PM

2018-01-22T18:17:09-05:00

If i remember correctly, soldiers who pull CQ/Staff Duty receive the next day off for recovery. A Chaplain Assistant works chapel services on weekends and midweek family night services, usually til 2000-2100 hours, work weekends while supporting Strong Bonds training events, and accompany the Chaplain. I think CQ is just once every month/quarter. Still think its unfair?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 6:26 PM

2018-01-22T18:26:38-05:00

I would recommend stay focused on your own duties and drive on.

Response by LCDR Tim McKenzie made Jan 22 at 2018 6:42 PM

2018-01-22T18:42:55-05:00

Choose your rate (mos)....choose your fate. I never liked it when someone complained about somebody’s good deal. Change your mos or shut up.

Response by SFC John Buchanan made Jan 22 at 2018 7:22 PM

2018-01-22T19:22:05-05:00

Having served as a STARC Chaplain Assistant, also serving in Bosnia-Herzegovina, first I'm reminded the manual states that a UMT (Unit Ministry Team) consists of a chaplain and a chaplain assistant. Per the US' understanding of the Geneva Convention a chaplain is a non-combatant, therefore cannot carry a weapon, otherwise has a different designation-target. That's the chaplain assistant's job. If you put a conscientious objector in that role, you're doing your chaplain a disservice. So that the assistant can be ready to engage hostiles, the chaplain should be chaplain's driver.
The chaplain (not " 's") assistant is not the assistant chaplain, but having worked in the CA position, I've had soldiers approach me as if I were.
The chaplain is always called "chaplain". Don't insult him by calling him by his rank, whether lieutenant or general. He is a special staff officer.
It's proper to call a chaplain assistant by his rank.

Response by SFC James Beason made Jan 22 at 2018 7:33 PM

2018-01-22T19:33:14-05:00

I voted in the wrong question, please disregard.

Response by Jerry Rivas made Jan 22 at 2018 7:58 PM

2018-01-22T19:58:02-05:00

You have your job....They have their job....Deal with it. Good Lord stop all the whimpering.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 7:59 PM

2018-01-22T19:59:18-05:00

i plead the 5th on this one...too many people on here get butthurt

Response by Sgt Dale Briggs made Jan 22 at 2018 8:19 PM

2018-01-22T20:19:42-05:00

The job is the job I suppose. I wouldn't expect a jeep mechanic to pick up and ruck 10 miles walking point. It's not his job. I would expect him to meet Pft minimums and qualify on the range, just as I would the CA. Your still in the military.

Response by SSG Jerry Ortman made Jan 22 at 2018 8:26 PM

2018-01-22T20:26:49-05:00

No they should be treated same

Response by SGT Jake Miller made Jan 22 at 2018 8:48 PM

2018-01-22T20:48:18-05:00

I worked in the motor pool. We had to do CQ duty. But if you were the recovery specialist, you got out of all extra duty. Because of the fact that you can get woke up in the middle of the night and have to go to work.

Response by 1SG Stephen Burgess made Jan 22 at 2018 8:55 PM

2018-01-22T20:55:59-05:00

Why in the world would you single out the poor Chaplain's Assistant? There are many people in any given battalion that are ED (exempt from duty). There are perfectly good reasons for it that you will be able to determine for yourself with just a minor effort. Bottom line is that the commander can and will exempt any Soldier he/she deems necessary from duties. There are so very few Chaplain's Assistants in the Army that their absence from the duty roster isn't even a blip on the radar. Not to mention they have to be available to the Chaplain 24/7/365. Find something else to focus on, brother.

Response by SGT Frank Allen made Jan 22 at 2018 9:16 PM

2018-01-22T21:16:45-05:00

They have to set up for different Christian services on Sunday and lay led programs; Adventist and Jewish on Saturday and Friday as well as Islamic and then Bible study and prayer groups all week long and in the evenings. Then they have to coordinate multiple charity projects on the weekends and evenings… Leave the guys alone, they are some of the hardest working in the Army...

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 9:39 PM

2018-01-22T21:39:48-05:00

The exact same as everyone else regardless of branch of service. Why should you get speacial treatment because you did something on a Saturday or Sunday, but I don't because I had duty on the same day.

Response by SP6 Mark Zika made Jan 22 at 2018 10:18 PM

2018-01-22T22:18:08-05:00

I was 11B3V and recovering from a surgery, I was put on lite duty to assist a chaplain. I would get phone calls 24/7 from Soldiers in need. Therefore I did not have to pull Staff Duty. I however was never compensated for long hours or weekend duties. It came with the job. I never complained.

Response by SPC Herbert Young made Jan 23 at 2018 2:08 AM

2018-01-23T02:08:39-05:00

I was a 56M. No special treatment please believe

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2018 6:21 AM

2018-01-23T06:21:50-05:00

If that's what the CO wants to do there isn't much you can do

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2018 7:45 AM

2018-01-23T07:45:33-05:00

What is the difference between them working weekends or everyone else that pulls weekend duties (CQ, staff duties, funeral honors, DFAC duties, MP/CID duties, etc.)? Using just a little common sense prior to enlisting as a Chaplain Assistant can go a long way. After all, chaplains work Sundays and various evenings throughout the week, visit troops in the field and hospitals, etc. Therefore, I believe they should not br compensated any more or any less than other hard-working soldiers.

Response by CH (CPT) Abdiel Fuentes Garza made Jan 23 at 2018 9:10 AM

2018-01-23T09:10:37-05:00

You need to consider the nature of the MOS. Chaplain assistants have to be available any time the chaplain is needed. Sadly most issues that chaplains attend to don't tend to happen between 9 and 5. No, most family issues happen after hours, as do most emergencies. Also, to put the CA in staff duty/CQ is effectively reducing the UMT by 50% for 2 days. All other duties can be done so long as it is first cleared with the chaplain.

My assistant was with me about every time we did marriage counseling at a Soldiers home and when conducting hospital visitation. My CA may not have been doing hard labor but he worked long hours, all of the time.

I think the system works the way it needs to.

Response by SPC Roger Giffen made Jan 23 at 2018 11:38 AM

2018-01-23T11:38:39-05:00

Never had any use for Chaplains assistants. Usually washout from other units.

Response by SFC Charles Kauffman made Jan 23 at 2018 11:40 AM

2018-01-23T11:40:41-05:00

This statement says more about your own maturity (or lack thereof) than anything else.

Do YOUR job, instead of worrying about how others do theirs.

Response by LCDR Steve Hall made Jan 23 at 2018 11:45 AM

2018-01-23T11:45:43-05:00

My Navy RP (Religious Program Specialist) would say, “pick your rate, pick your fate,” when other sailors whined about that issue. LCDR, CHC, USN, Ret.

Response by SSgt Bruce Probert made Jan 23 at 2018 12:55 PM

2018-01-23T12:55:29-05:00

You should spend the time you spend bitching about others insuring your conduct is exemplary, you might find that you don't have the time to waste bitching about what others are doing.

Response by SGT Joseph Miller made Jan 23 at 2018 2:51 PM

2018-01-23T14:51:52-05:00

Suck it up buttercups!!! Alot of different jobs are exempt from CQ/SDNCO. I was my MP unit NCOIC and myself and my armorers were exempt, cooks were exempt and certain jobs in unit like MPI were exempt. Every job in the military has certain benefits and certain parts that suck ,but you picked the job when that recruiter set you down, nobody twisted your arm and said "NO, you cant be a chaplains assistant you must be infantry because I said so." So quit complaining because someone else has it better than you.

Response by 1SG Susan Hamann made Jan 23 at 2018 2:54 PM

2018-01-23T14:54:57-05:00

First off, while in Garrison, I would assume your normal duty week consists of 5 days. So if you worked every Sunday, you would most likely have some other day off. Secondly, the CA is the assistant to the Chaplain (I know, duh). By their nature, Chaplains are basically on call 24/7, therefore the CA often has a number of extra duties outside the normal workday and must be available to the Chaplain and higher staff. While deployed (unless things have changed in this regard since I retired), the Chaplains are not (due to their religious and humanitarian position) authorized to bear arms and the CA is tasked as the armed guard to protect the Chaplain and therefore must be available.

Response by SSgt Ryan Cespedes made Jan 23 at 2018 3:02 PM

2018-01-23T15:02:15-05:00

For extremely obvious reasons, the chaplain and their assistants should be civilians.

Response by CPT Randall Sands made Jan 23 at 2018 3:16 PM

2018-01-23T15:16:34-05:00

I would like to hear the complete story.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2018 3:20 PM

2018-01-23T15:20:12-05:00

Chaplain’s assistants are usually always working. Some of them work on Sunday’s when the rest of us are off. When we were in combat, many times our chaplain and his assistant were right there with us. Our chaplain assistant even got a Purple Heart.

Response by SFC Thomas Stonebraker made Jan 23 at 2018 4:49 PM

2018-01-23T16:49:41-05:00

You hold the rank. You are no different than PFC Snuffy or SPC Jones. You get all the roghts and RESPONSIBILITIES.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 23 at 2018 7:52 PM

2018-01-23T19:52:06-05:00

Lol, all the S shop guys in my old BN never pulled CQ/Staff Duty.

Response by SPC Greg Campbell made Jan 24 at 2018 2:22 AM

2018-01-24T02:22:19-05:00

Drove a jeep. If someone had to go somewhere it was me driving. Did have to pull duty driver and head count. Spent a lot of time in the field.

Response by PO3 Phyllis Maynard made Jan 24 at 2018 4:26 AM

2018-01-24T04:26:53-05:00

I would say until you walk in the duty if a chaplain assistant, don't judge the outer appearance. Who knows how many parents or spouses they have assisted after the death of a service person. The emotional challenges are great. They have to be ready in season and out of season. PFC Eric Minchey shadow a chaplain's assistant for 72 hours and make another assessment with the new information.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 8:47 AM

2018-01-24T08:47:01-05:00

Chaplain Assistance are plenty busy like everyone else has said they do not have a set duty day. Remember you do you.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 9:44 AM

2018-01-24T09:44:51-05:00

Oh for Pete's sake that's why they are the flipping CA... If I found out my troops was complaining I'd be glad to show then where to reclass.

Response by CPL Jay Strickland made Jan 24 at 2018 10:43 AM

2018-01-24T10:43:59-05:00

If you think they have it so good then when it is time to reup, reup Chaplin's assistant.

Response by SPC Scott Currens made Jan 24 at 2018 12:35 PM

2018-01-24T12:35:06-05:00

I feel if their chain of command says they are treated in a certain way then it is no one elses opinion that matters.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 1:08 PM

2018-01-24T13:08:43-05:00

This is old, regulation has changed. Being the smallest shop in the army means more work between just 2 people. Commanders must consult the chaplain for the use of their Religious Affairs SPC/NCO (formerly Chaplain Assistant). The troop cannot just task the assistant. Comp days are also removed. Next!

Response by CW3 Doyle Frost made Jan 24 at 2018 2:37 PM

2018-01-24T14:37:33-05:00

A soldier is a soldier. Special exemptions should not exist. If these troops, and that's what their primary duty actually is, work a particular weekend, then fine, give them comp time off, the same as I did with my troops. If it's just because they work on Saturdays or Sundays, then that's their work schedule. They are soldiers. As such, they have to perform the routine extra duties all the other soldiers of that rank and position do.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 24 at 2018 3:08 PM

2018-01-24T15:08:51-05:00

PFC Eric Minchey there are special MOSs that are exempt from extra duty. I would have to look at the regulations but they might be exempt due to their MOS and their duty like JAG, retention, recruiters, etc.

Response by SGT Mark Saint Cyr made Jan 24 at 2018 4:45 PM

2018-01-24T16:45:34-05:00

Having been a Chaplain's Assistant, I can tell you it's not all roses and song. You are in effect "on call" for anything the Chaplain needs assistance on. If he needs to make a trip to counsel a soldier and possibly his family, you're going, unless you have a leave already put in. You tend to work 6 days a week, half a day Sunday, and half a day on another day. You usually have Mondays off. If you like to follow sports, like football, on the weekend, well, you can't. You don't have a real weekend, like most troops. If you want to go out on a Friday night, well usually you can't because you have to get the chapel ready Saturday for Sunday. Any letters the Chaplain needs written, you're the one who takes his scribble, and translates it into something that will get processed and through the c-o-c to get done. Most of the upkeep of the Chapel...yeah, you get that too. Bushes trimmed, odd paint jobs, small repairs; you had better be ready to be a jack of all trades, because that's the job.

You can tell me all the reasons why you want them to be a soldier, and I can come up with more reasons why they can't. Unless you've been in their shoes and done that job, you really don't have a clue to their work schedule.

Response by CH (MAJ) John Stepp made Jan 24 at 2018 5:24 PM

2018-01-24T17:24:26-05:00

I was a Chaplain. Chaplain’s Assistant have duty scheduled with the On Call Duty Chaplain which you did not mention here. Plus they work several weekends. Any comp time they get is well deserved. No other soldiers are on two to three duty schedules why should the chaplain’s assistant have to do that?

Response by SrA Paul Pfeil made Jan 24 at 2018 6:49 PM

2018-01-24T18:49:16-05:00

If you have time to worry about others perhaps you need more pt. Shut your pie hole, eyes forward and focus on your pub mission.

Response by PO3 Richard Hamrick made Jan 24 at 2018 6:57 PM

2018-01-24T18:57:56-05:00

As useless as chaplains

Response by Cpl Kent Mitchell made Jan 24 at 2018 7:00 PM

2018-01-24T19:00:13-05:00

We radio operators in 81s were exempt from mess duties. We claimed we were a "critical" MOS and they believed us. Maybe it was guilt, too. Mortar squads were behind the lines in BIG holes. Us radio guys were in the line with the grunts and wearing a target pointer--our antennas.

Response by SGT Nathan Vitartas made Jan 24 at 2018 7:55 PM

2018-01-24T19:55:41-05:00

They don't like it they can change MOS

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jan 24 at 2018 10:27 PM

2018-01-24T22:27:09-05:00

Seriously? Why should you get special treatment? PFC Eric Minchey

Response by SPC Crystal Aldridge made Jan 24 at 2018 10:27 PM

2018-01-24T22:27:40-05:00

Was a chaplains assistance 71M form 94-till 92 bs on this propaganda post

Response by SGT Oleg Khilkevich made Jan 24 at 2018 10:44 PM

2018-01-24T22:44:47-05:00

Exemption from CQ? What for? For helping on Sunday service? I would understand commander's driver, as he should be "on call" 24/7. Yet, chaplain assistant? C'mmon!!!

Response by SSG Dale London made Jan 25 at 2018 12:26 AM

2018-01-25T00:26:08-05:00

In my opinion they should be treated the same way the BN Commander's driver is -- no touchy touchy. The Chaplain's Assistant has a tough enough job without being stuck on some duty roster for CQ or Fire Watch or even SDNCO. It's not special treatment - the CA has unpredictable duties, many of which run independently of the unit's training and duty schedule. Just try telling the chaplain that he has to set up for Sunday service all by himself because SPC Snuffy had to pull CQ and is asleep. I'll guarantee that it will be a hot topic of conversation the next time the Padre sits down for a cup of coffee with the CSM -- or 1SG or PSG or all three. Don't mess with the Padre's help -- trust me, I was a Padre (okay I was a British Padre - but I was still a Padre).

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2018 12:40 AM

2018-01-25T00:40:19-05:00

They need to be able to perform their job so equitable time off if every other Soldier get the weekend or Sunday off but he has to work he gets another day off. He can not do his chapel duties if he is stuck at the barracks on CQ. Just like Hospital staff, MP's etc they are doing the job they would do in combat everyday they are not training...

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2018 5:35 AM

2018-01-25T05:35:32-05:00

I’m a cook in the army and no one has an issue that I don’t pull cq, staff duty. It’s because if the nature of our jobs. Are hours aren’t like everyone else’s and there for we need to be ready. I haven’t meant a single person who cares that we don’t..

Response by SPC Brett Jackson made Jan 25 at 2018 7:58 AM

2018-01-25T07:58:43-05:00

treated the same i had a chaplain assistant as a roommate in Germany

Response by SSG Jeff Hane made Jan 25 at 2018 9:27 AM

2018-01-25T09:27:38-05:00

I think PVTs need to learn to just shut up, & work on being technically & tactically proficient in their own MOSs... Stop worrying about everyone else. Every job in the Army is important, & every job in the Army is different. Don't worry about them, just watch YOUR lane.

Response by MSgt Willie Stovall made Jan 25 at 2018 12:28 PM

2018-01-25T12:28:07-05:00

They like the Chaplains do more in others "OFF" time than most realize. Many times, the handle things that don't require a Chaplains input or attention. Yea, they should get some slack.

Response by SGT Lm Hillis made Jan 25 at 2018 7:06 PM

2018-01-25T19:06:12-05:00

When I was in in 1986 - 1992 you were exempt from all duty if you were a mail clerk, either unit of APO/FPO.

There are jobs that are exempt from duty; if you want to be exempt gain the skills for one of those jobs. Otherwise, STHU, and do YOUR duty.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2018 7:17 PM

2018-01-25T19:17:42-05:00

Given that they are typically on a duty roster at the Garrison level along with their chaplian for chap lot related duties having them on a da6 for the company just causes more issues. What happens when you're supposed to be on chapel duty the day after you pull a 24?

Response by PFC Bill Herman made Jan 25 at 2018 9:06 PM

2018-01-25T21:06:56-05:00

Other individuals also times get some perks. It depends on what the job is, generally if you have done well during your duties prior to getting a differ duty like this one. Who is your Commander on down through the Chain and what they think of you. It can all add up. I played on the base Golf Team as an Alternate. I was the only Enlisted and had an extra locker for my Equipment, got time off for Practice Rounds, went to Tournaments as backup and usually a Caddy. I was able to play 2 times out of about 12 Tournaments, due to sickness and emergency leave for one of the other players. This was for 8 months. Other guys got perks for being on there Base Football or Softball Teams. There were others in the units that would bitch, complain but Rank above Ruled. This was before any wars were going on. But Chaplains have regs covering their needs., so they get who they need.

Response by CPT Bob Hempel made Jan 25 at 2018 9:13 PM

2018-01-25T21:13:45-05:00

They should got 'NO' special treatment... they volunteer for the opportunity..

Response by SSG Steven Kelley made Jan 25 at 2018 9:54 PM

2018-01-25T21:54:24-05:00

No one gets “Special Treatment”, from the lowest Private to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; every position has it’s positive and negatives and all are dependent on who’s view determines which it is. No position has a 9-5 five day a week job. If it really gnaws at someone, the old adage “Walk a mile in their shoes” comes to mind. Just because the CG doesn’t live on Field Exercises (although he probably has spent more time there than the average Soldier ever will); a Specialist did not have to testify before Congress, track thousands of occurrences that impact families, communities, the country, the world, ... As was said; if the grass seems greener; well it is up to you to find out, but be prepared when you find the grass is the same color just a different type. Just a little bit of advice, the civilian world is full of “Special Treatment” and there are fewer standards

Response by 1SG Leon Espe made Jan 25 at 2018 10:03 PM

2018-01-25T22:03:52-05:00

When I returned from Vietnam in Feb 1968 I was assigned to a unique position, First Sgt of 5 units all at the same time at Fort Leavenworth Kansas. Hq Co USAG, Hq Det USACGSC, Air Field Det, WAC Det, and Engineer Det. I had 5 morning reports, 5 Company Clerks and over 550 enlisted personnel assigned or attached. We only needed one CQ, one Staff Duty NCO and one Day Room Orderly daily for the whole shebang. As soon as I learned that there were only 35 to 45 people pulling all three of these additional duties I knew what to do to raise the low morale. BUT, it seems almost every one was exempt from duty because they all worked in such "prestigious" jobs. Think of it, with 500 personnel to perform 3 additional duties would mean you would be lucky to get the duty every 1 or 2 years. I fought for several weeks badgering Department Heads ( Usually Major or higher) trying to increase the numbers on my Duty Roster. Finally, out of Desperation I requested permission to see the Base Commander, a 2 Star General. He listened to my tale of woe and to my surprise agreed with me that "all" qualified personnel should perform those duties and volunteered his Driver, a Sergeant First Class for Staff Duty NCO so no Department Director or Chaplain could justify their "Assistant" for Exemption of Duty. Within a week I could see the difference. Morale was going up quickly, Article 15s dropped to almost zero, and the Chaplains cheerfully let their faithful assistant go to pull one day a year CQ or Day Room Orderly. Less than a year later our group of 5 units were near the top in unit readiness for 5th Army. Also easily passed IG inspections the rest of my tenure as First Sgt until I retired in June 1971. Sometimes special treatment to certain individuals for no good reason can be hard on morale.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 25 at 2018 11:47 PM

2018-01-25T23:47:20-05:00

Treat them the same. But add chaplain’s Aid as another duty for the other soldiers to rotate through. Just like CQ and KP. Since on the weekend, except for a few on duty, most get the option of not going to chapel. Chaplains assistance don’t get to opt out of it.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2018 12:06 AM

2018-01-26T00:06:40-05:00

We all have our duties to perform. I myself would not want the responsibility that they have to carry.

Response by SSG(P) Dan Keene made Jan 26 at 2018 1:27 AM

2018-01-26T01:27:39-05:00

If they weren't already on-call, why not pull duties?

Response by SGT Tj Casiano made Jan 26 at 2018 3:08 AM

2018-01-26T03:08:11-05:00

When I was in the Army, I was military intelligence. The fact of the matter is that what we had weren't so much privileges as they were compensation for the hours that we would sometimes have to work. I imagine it is the same way with Chaplin's assistants.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Jan 26 at 2018 6:15 AM

2018-01-26T06:15:20-05:00

The Chaplain and the Chaplain Assistant make up one unit. The Chaplain needs the Chaplain Assistant. AR
165-1 clearly states the relationship and the guidelines and regulations.

Response by SFC Rick Forlines made Jan 26 at 2018 6:43 AM

2018-01-26T06:43:52-05:00

really ?

Response by CH (LTC) Garet Aldridge made Jan 26 at 2018 8:13 AM

2018-01-26T08:13:18-05:00

AR 165-1 exempts 56M's from things like Guard Duty. Live with it. We (Chaplains) are on duty constantly and rarely, rarely get a full day off. My Mikes were with me constantly and moving when I was moving which was constantly. I could not be held up to (as for example) make a death notification while I waited for SSG Benjamin to get off CQ.

Response by SFC Andras Yaghjian made Jan 26 at 2018 9:56 AM

2018-01-26T09:56:55-05:00

I wouldn't Special Treatment it is part of the MOS just as in the food service. Just picked the right MOS

Response by SSG John Bacon made Jan 26 at 2018 10:02 AM

2018-01-26T10:02:35-05:00

I was Supply, People always said we didn't do anything, but when it came to Hey go do this, they always came to us first. Just because YOU don't see us doing something doesn't mean we don't do anything.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2018 10:14 AM

2018-01-26T10:14:14-05:00

CA's might get some duties they are exempt from, but they have others you have no idea about. They are at the beck and call of the Chaplin, so in some ways, they have more, "Hey you" duties than anyone else.

Different jobs have different demands, suck it up.

Response by Sgt Tee Organ made Jan 26 at 2018 11:21 AM

2018-01-26T11:21:48-05:00

Should be treated as others. In the Navy they have a Chaplain Corps. They have a chief and have to do all the work other Sailors are expected to do.

Response by 1SG Patrick Sims made Jan 26 at 2018 11:21 AM

2018-01-26T11:21:53-05:00

Don't we all have more important things to do for our troops than rag on the Chaplain's Assistant? I know soldiers bitch from time to time---actually, most of the time---but guys---there are more important things to look to.

Response by SPC Wanda Vergara-Yates made Jan 26 at 2018 11:25 AM

2018-01-26T11:25:06-05:00

Actually I agree with this because they have to be on call for matters relating to chapel administration. The chapel never closes, so they still work many holidays that you have off as "any other soldier." Consider that military police, medical specialists, and many other groups of soldiers who work in 24/7 type jobs also get similar "special treatment" and are exempt from duty rosters, except within their own sections as needed. That is just the way it is. Nothing in life is fair, but the Army does try to be somewhat equitable to give personal time somewhere to all soldiers regardless of specialty.

Response by SPC Tim Holt made Jan 26 at 2018 11:37 AM

2018-01-26T11:37:38-05:00

I was an Artillery mechanic. We never had to do CQ, post cleanup, chow hall or other stupid shit like that. That is what Gun Bunnys are for. The trade off was we had to be there if a gun was down and fix it whether it was the weekend or 24:00 hours. So while the Gun Bunnys were off in Savannah on Friday night banging some college chick and getting drunk, we often were in the motor pool trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with this Paladin. I don't know what a Chaplain's assistant does. He doesn't take care of pacing items like I did, but there has to be some reason for it. Maybe he has to pull guard on the Holy Water.

Response by SSG David Thompson made Jan 26 at 2018 12:07 PM

2018-01-26T12:07:58-05:00

When I was at the Overseas Replacement Station at Ft. Dix, waiting to go to Germany, the Publications and Training Aids Center outside of Frankfurt needed 20 warm bodies to help with the move into their brand new facility, and I was one of the select few whose orders were changed and were flown into Rhine Main just in time for the move to be made a year later. (Hurry up and wait much?) It turns out one of us was a Chaplain's Assistant.
Well there was no Chaplain to assist, so he was just put to work like the rest of us.

Response by SGT Quentin Moore made Jan 26 at 2018 12:16 PM

2018-01-26T12:16:18-05:00

Never gave it a thought,had enough to do taking care of my soldiers,instead of worrying about everyone else

Response by CPL Mark Bunton made Jan 26 at 2018 1:11 PM

2018-01-26T13:11:52-05:00

Im ok with it. The spiritual needs and mental help that a Chaplain and assistant might offer is better served than sitting on CQ. Im fine with it

Response by SPC David Willis made Jan 26 at 2018 1:14 PM

2018-01-26T13:14:48-05:00

Ill say this as well. Chaps and their assistants have perhaps one of the most psychological demanding jobs in the military. They are expected to befriend or get to know as many people in the battalion as possible, they're then expected to deploy with that battalion. When people get killed they're expected to officiate that service, same if soldiers kill themselves. They're expected to be there for that soldiers' surviving friends who are at that time filled with a lethal mixture of hatred and sadness and all they want to do is get out there and kill as many people as they can. They're expected to talk soldiers down from being in a bad enough spot to kill themselves and they probably fail just as often as they succeed. Not that preventing someone from killing themselves is a failure on their part, but like many medics they internalize it and blame themselves from losing a soldier. Many times they're called on to deliver bad news to deployed soldiers informing them that a member of their family has been killed or is very sick. They do all of this for other soldiers, but never really have anyone to decompress to themselves. Both my old chaplain and his assistant killed themselves within a year of each other and Id imagine some of those things had something to do with it. So if they need an extra day to relax, give it to them.

Response by CPL Gregory Witham made Jan 26 at 2018 1:56 PM

2018-01-26T13:56:32-05:00

Grunt em like everyone else

Response by SPC Ben Henley made Jan 26 at 2018 2:24 PM

2018-01-26T14:24:21-05:00

I was a 91B working in WBAMC (hospital) and a friend of mine from the 11th Cav was in an ADA battery when we were at Ft. Bliss. His room mate complained one day that it was unfair that I didn't have to go to daily formations and do all the stuff that they had to do in a line unit. The friend of mine politely said, "He may not have to do all the things we do, but he works almost every weekend and holiday."

Just because you do not see what someone does everyday doesn't mean you should instantly judge them on what you do see. There are trade offs. Think about that when you are off on a Sunday and the CA has had to work 10 days in a row.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2018 2:34 PM

2018-01-26T14:34:21-05:00

The Religious Affairs Specialist gets this treatment for 2 reasons.
1. They work on average 2-3 weekends a month, not just Sundays. There are services on Saturdays also.
2. They are on call to react to events. I was a platoon sergeant and a religious affairs NCO and was unable to attend a PCI because I was dealing with an SIR.
Furthermore, if you read AR165-1 the 2015 version, the regulation says the 56M can pull these duties if approved by the Chaplain. That said many commands choose not to put these soldiers on duty because of their additional duties and the chance a more significant event may pull them away.

Response by MSgt John Cusolito6 made Jan 26 at 2018 3:16 PM

2018-01-26T15:16:00-05:00

Suck it up buckwheat

Response by CH (COL) Michael Walker made Jan 26 at 2018 5:45 PM

2018-01-26T17:45:40-05:00

Here's a challenge to the one posting the original question: get a clipboard and pencil, spend a week to ten days in EACH and EVERY Chapel on your installation. Document, from open to close, when all of the 56Ms are there and what they are doing. Note which units they are assigned to and the fact that the Chapels are Installation Property. (Yes, they have duties outside of their assigned units.) Then go to each maneuver unit and get a copy of their training schedules, including field exercises, and note when the CA must be in the field, the motor pool, other unit training, plus required Installation Chaplain training, etc. Watch them supervise the counting of offering money to Army standard (for which someone could get a long vacation in Kansas if not done correctly!), then drive to the bank or credit union in their POV with their own gas and put it in the night depository while most of their peers are watching a ballgame on TV. Knowing that you have only seen a portion of what these Soldiers do, tally up the hours per week THAT YOU HAVE SEEN in this exercise.

Response by SGT Kaye Fiorello made Jan 26 at 2018 6:29 PM

2018-01-26T18:29:37-05:00

Soldiers who think a specific MOS or task is 'more special' than their own, should just go talk to the NCOIC and ask to serve a few days in that role. I'm sure they will be more than willing to 'accomodate' you on a behind the scenes tour of the unseen work. And after you try Chaplain assisting, I really encourage you to try working in the mess section. they have it great too!

Response by SPC Les Darbison made Jan 26 at 2018 7:01 PM

2018-01-26T19:01:45-05:00

They r doing extra by helping the chaplain doesn t it equal out? As long as they don t miss any training I m good with it!

Response by SGT Skip Sutherland made Jan 26 at 2018 7:05 PM

2018-01-26T19:05:43-05:00

I was in Germany with the Army 1966-1968 and had a chaplain Assistant in my unit. He got special treatment. I was an NCO and we had an inspection coming up. He said that I don't have to do anything to help clean, I'm a Chaplain asst> I said try and go on leave or pass I will make sure you Don"t I was not backed up by command

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Jan 26 at 2018 7:18 PM

2018-01-26T19:18:54-05:00

If you have so much time on your hands that you are watching the chaplain's assistant, then we have some rocks that need to be painted.

Response by 1SG Leon Bowlin made Jan 26 at 2018 7:19 PM

2018-01-26T19:19:53-05:00

What about the Medical personal not having to pull CQ and SDNCO?

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 26 at 2018 8:13 PM

2018-01-26T20:13:41-05:00

As Riggers we rarely get comp days. The only reason why we don't have SD or CQ is because of our heavy missions. If we loose an NCO bc of SAD there goes 45 chutes not getting packed or not enough NCOs at heavy drop making sure everything is getting rigged correctly.

Response by MAJ Frank H Staley made Jan 26 at 2018 8:29 PM

2018-01-26T20:29:37-05:00

As a grunt, I didn't complain about having to sleep under the stars or any of the other scutt that came w/ the job while the finance and AG types roughed it in tents w/ cots, hot H2O, 3 hots vice 3 Cs/MREs and structures sanitary facilities while I dug my daily slit trench..

Came w/ the job and that was that. . . .

Response by SGT Aaron McCullen made Jan 26 at 2018 9:59 PM

2018-01-26T21:59:29-05:00

I do not see a problem with the so called "perks" honestly I would have loathed to have that job.

Response by SFC Larry Jones made Jan 26 at 2018 11:38 PM

2018-01-26T23:38:33-05:00

Speaking as a former chaplains assistant, I can tell you we are NOT exempt from either CQ or Staff Duty or guard duty while in garrison. We ARE exempt. from duty on weekends, because every Sunday is a work day. Some Saturdays people have their weddings at the chapel. We have to oversee logistics for those and make sure the wedding party has designated someone to clean up after them if necessary. We then have to get the chapel back in order for Sunday services. We have damn well earned our day off during the week, unless something at the chapel takes priority, especially if you are the NCOIC. If there is a special program in the evening (like a performance of Handel's Messiah), we are required to be there for that, not to watch it, but to ensure everything goes off without a hitch and set up and tear down the reception that most likely will take place afterwards. I lost count, while I was at the NTC, of the number of times the MP's called me at all hours of the night to tell me they had found a chapel door unlocked. I had to go secure it. The one time I thought I saw someone, the armed MP stood fast while unarmed me went forward to check. OK, enough ranting. To whatever idiot presented this inane challenge, chaplains assistants don't get over on anything. Oh, one more thing. Sometimes the soldiers who see us every day are more comfortable unburdening themselves to us than they are to the chaplains whom see only occasionally. SFC (Ret)

Response by SFC Larry Jones made Jan 26 at 2018 11:45 PM

2018-01-26T23:45:40-05:00

Sorry to pile on, but after my first nine years, I went to recruiting and stayed, a decision I often regret, as it cost me my health. Camaraderie is also far superior in "mainstream" units.

Response by SFC Darwin Thomad made Jan 27 at 2018 8:15 AM

2018-01-27T08:15:14-05:00

Same as any other soldier

Response by MAJ John Collins made Jan 27 at 2018 9:19 AM

2018-01-27T09:19:30-05:00

Chaplains are out all hours of the day and night and their trusty assistant is usually with them.

Response by LTC Timothy O'Toole made Jan 27 at 2018 9:32 AM

2018-01-27T09:32:41-05:00

All the same to include the CO's driver!!!

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2018 12:10 PM

2018-01-27T12:10:20-05:00

My 4 month old son passed away and they had to be at the children’s hospital 1 1/2 hours away. They deserve whatever they need as well because they have to be away from there families at a moments notice.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2018 12:12 PM

2018-01-27T12:12:31-05:00

They should be treated with respect, the things they do are a lot more than people think.

Response by CH (MAJ) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2018 2:41 PM

2018-01-27T14:41:59-05:00

My assistants have always received "special treatment." They work chapel services on Sunday. They work weekend retreats for other soldiers. They often work extra hours for memorial ceremonies and services. They have responsibilities to religious support for the entire installation, to include but not limited to dropping everything and paying for, as card holders, for religious support items. The regulation states that I determine their place of duty and am responsible for what comp time they receive. In combat they are responsible for their own security and that of an unarmed non-combatant. When I have to go anywhere, at any time of day, I take my Chaplain Assistant with me. My assistants lead PT, are MRT trained, are trained in Suicide prevention, and in my absence, they brief commanders and act in my stead. The "special treatment" they get is that they are asked to work harder, longer, and with more responsibilities than the average soldier of the same rank. Every Chaplain Assistant I've ever had was more than willing to pull duty if they were able, and if it didn't conflict with the religious support mission.

Response by SGT Jack Baxter made Jan 27 at 2018 5:07 PM

2018-01-27T17:07:19-05:00

Leave them alone

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2018 6:06 PM

2018-01-27T18:06:16-05:00

You walked into the same Recruiting Office they did...took the same ASVAB...chose your MOS and did they...I doubt when they are working 3 weekends a month performing services at the Chapel you are not there with them!

Response by SPC Maggie Mallon made Jan 27 at 2018 6:16 PM

2018-01-27T18:16:12-05:00

At one point in Korea I was a COMSEC custodian, which also meant crazy hours at times.

I don’t recall my missing formation or missing other duties being an issue with my other soldiers.

I don’t understand why this would be seen as any different.

Response by SCPO Anthony Wingers made Jan 27 at 2018 7:29 PM

2018-01-27T19:29:00-05:00

Who cares? His job, his responsibilities. I was a Navy Radioman. Often stood all night midwatches. Others bitched when I slept in, or bagged ass after watch. TSNC.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2018 9:16 PM

2018-01-27T21:16:26-05:00

Chaplains assistants are called at all hours when there is a death, a domestic issue, a birth, a Soldier in need... they are truly 24/7.

Response by CPL Kevin Corbin made Jan 27 at 2018 9:54 PM

2018-01-27T21:54:28-05:00

If there is a loss or family emergencys or any other issue they could work endless hours that some don't know!! Plus he's answering to a higher power

Response by SFC Ethan Hou made Jan 27 at 2018 11:01 PM

2018-01-27T23:01:35-05:00

Grow up

Response by Sgt Jon Mcvay made Jan 28 at 2018 6:26 AM

2018-01-28T06:26:49-05:00

Well when it comes down to combat. They will pick up a weapon, or they will die.

Response by SFC Bryan Johnson made Jan 28 at 2018 6:50 AM

2018-01-28T06:50:05-05:00

In a perfect world you have enough assistants where one can pull duty and other assist with services . Comp time is ok . Most work a 5 day work week with the exception of duty .

Response by Sgt Silvano Wueschner made Jan 28 at 2018 11:36 AM

2018-01-28T11:36:57-05:00

Chaplain Dixon and his assistant (on my left) in Kandahar. They put in long hours same as everyone else!

Response by CW3 Matt Hutchason made Jan 28 at 2018 12:20 PM

2018-01-28T12:20:39-05:00

Does the word “fair” exist in the military? If it does, it shouldn’t. You want comp time for working weekends? Make a lateral move to chaplains Assistant.

Response by SFC James Heath made Jan 28 at 2018 12:40 PM

2018-01-28T12:40:27-05:00

Quit your whining. This boils down to MOS and duty position. I was a Military Policeman for 20 years. I did not get a holiday off for 16 years. Bye that time I was an instructor.

Response by SGT John Phillips made Jan 28 at 2018 2:10 PM

2018-01-28T14:10:23-05:00

It’s no different than cooks. They are guaranteed to work every weekend and should be exempted.

I’ve never heard anyone complain about this before.

Response by SPC Patrick Bourcier made Jan 28 at 2018 4:45 PM

2018-01-28T16:45:32-05:00

PFC Eric Minchey - Every MOS has a different mode of operation. I'm quite sure the Infantryman has a different day than the cook. The company clerk vs. the motor pool mechanic. And the Special Forces Green Beret vs. the Antena repair technician. Unless you walk in their shoe's, be careful not to assume one is any easier than the other. As SGM Frazier so well put it, attend to your own responsibilities. Do them well. THAT is YOUR job.

Response by SFC Robert Lewis made Jan 28 at 2018 5:33 PM

2018-01-28T17:33:47-05:00

This may have already been stated, when ever you are exempt from duty that means you are not allowed to take any passes, and can only take leave during scheduled block leave unless it is emergency leave. They are always on call 24/7. When the Chapel rolls out, they are with them, just like the Commander's and CSM's drivers. As well when ever the Chaplain is conducting a service they are with them, like on the weekend when you are off. So to answer your question, yes they should be treated differently. You should try being a command driver sometime, there is more to it than driving around.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2018 5:48 PM

2018-01-28T17:48:07-05:00

They should be washing mermites, dishes and digging fox holes too.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2018 6:16 PM

2018-01-28T18:16:49-05:00

Chaplins assistants work very hard. Especially down range, they are the ones holding a weapon, Chaplins don't. They go where ever the Chap goes. FOBS, COBS, Camps they roll out the wire all the time. I guess people who are board with their jobs would be kind of envious of the Chaps assistant. You can move laterally to a different MOS.

Response by SGT Johnny Owens made Jan 28 at 2018 7:36 PM

2018-01-28T19:36:04-05:00

The chaplain's assistant is similar to the commander's driver, must be prepared and available 24/7. Does not have the same responsibilities as typical soldiers, must be handled differently.

Response by SGT Ray Tommila made Jan 28 at 2018 8:45 PM

2018-01-28T20:45:39-05:00

same as everyone else

Response by MSgt Daniel Armstrong made Jan 28 at 2018 8:47 PM

2018-01-28T20:47:13-05:00

Every chaplain assistant I ever met usually was someone who fucked up or couldn't hack it in their primary MOS or AFSC, but for some unique reason, they could just boot them out.
I know this is not the case with the majority of them, but if that is all the rest of the base population see's, well it give a distorted view.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2018 9:18 PM

2018-01-28T21:18:52-05:00

I think chaplain assistants should be left alone. They are under the command of the Chaplain. Many of them are very busy.

Response by SMSgt Allan Pochop made Jan 28 at 2018 9:43 PM

2018-01-28T21:43:58-05:00

WTH, look at the percentage of personnel involved.....then again WTH.

Response by SFC Laurie Raso made Jan 28 at 2018 11:02 PM

2018-01-28T23:02:55-05:00

Don't worry about the Chaplains Assistants. Worry about yourself.

Response by SPC Allan Bryant made Jan 29 at 2018 2:52 AM

2018-01-29T02:52:59-05:00

God bless all chaplains Assistants. Long hours basically no weekends really. Leave them alone.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2018 3:12 AM

2018-01-29T03:12:59-05:00

Hey S-6 always gets put on detail. Just the Nature of the beast.

Response by SFC Richard Baerlocher made Jan 29 at 2018 3:44 AM

2018-01-29T03:44:06-05:00

Chaplain assistants should be exempted the same as food service.

Response by SGT Gary DeFelippo made Jan 29 at 2018 8:58 AM

2018-01-29T08:58:39-05:00

Always the same No exceptions

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2018 9:47 AM

2018-01-29T09:47:12-05:00

Let the Chaplains task the CA's.

Response by Hipolito Nieto made Jan 29 at 2018 10:26 AM

2018-01-29T10:26:24-05:00

It’s what one signs up for. Get over it already. Cooks didn’t have other duties back in the nam era. Oh, probably no more cooks there are mickey d’s & burger Kings at overseas duty stations.

Response by SGT Jim Knaeble made Jan 29 at 2018 1:01 PM

2018-01-29T13:01:37-05:00

This is the same as command staff drivers. Their duty could be 17+ hours a day and can't miss an assignment for CQ. People should worry about their own duties and stop trying to make things even for all. Is this really worth posting?

Response by SGT Forrest Fitzrandolph made Jan 29 at 2018 2:42 PM

2018-01-29T14:42:44-05:00

I did. So what’s the big deal??

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2018 7:31 PM

2018-01-29T19:31:18-05:00

They work odd hours when they have to bring the Chaplain to help a soldier who wants to kill himself or something like that, usually at night when everyone is off work and partying or spending time with their families. It's only fair. No Different than cooks not pulling CQ and stuff. They work crazy hours.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 29 at 2018 10:51 PM

2018-01-29T22:51:36-05:00

Aside from the fact that you don’t dick over your Chaplains’ assistants (or your medics for that matter), why don’t you just leave someone who got left off the roster alone? If he’s one of your joes, peers, or seniors, shit let them have some freedom. I know damn well if you weren’t on the roster you’d want everyone else to keep quiet. The moral: don’t bring other people down with you just cause you’re sucking

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 30 at 2018 12:20 AM

2018-01-30T00:20:37-05:00

No it's not special treatment, it is compensation for the long hours and being on call 24 hours a day. Whoever wrote this article needs a foot in the ass.

Response by SGT Ben Barr made Jan 30 at 2018 6:50 AM

2018-01-30T06:50:12-05:00

Imagine a world where people mind their own business and stop presuming to know everyone elses.

Response by Cpl Christina McKenzie made Jan 30 at 2018 9:15 PM

2018-01-30T21:15:15-05:00

It’s the same concept with comping military bands for their work outside of everyone else’s normal duty day. Doing their job at night, on Saturday, on Sunday, on federal holidays that others get a 72 for IS their regular duty hours. Quit being a whiny baby and just worry about your own job. Let the professionals take care of the chapel, chaplain, & musical needs.

Response by 1SG Ed Rossman made Jan 31 at 2018 6:36 AM

2018-01-31T06:36:43-05:00

I was an MP for 26 years. I didn’t get excempted from duties or comp weekends. I worked weekends and holidays. I can see if he works Sundays he gets a day off during the week. But not pulling CQ, KP, guard duty , etc is not fair to other soldiers .

Response by MSG Michael McKenzie made Jan 31 at 2018 10:04 AM

2018-01-31T10:04:56-05:00

There are plenty of Soldiers on staff that have duty exemptions. They have different responsibilities than the average line Soldier. It's not special treatment. It's what is required for that Soldier to get the job done. Walk a mile in someone else's shoes and you may not like the fit.

Response by Melissa Didericksen Didericksen made Jan 31 at 2018 11:52 AM

2018-01-31T11:52:29-05:00

I am a former Chaplains Assistant and I can tell you that when we were I duty on the weekends it was All Weekend because not everyone has their service on Sunday. And also on Wednesday night's there are programs. That was my duty while on Garrison. And for writhing that weekend the next upcoming Friday I'd have off.

I was told that if we were a line unit that itd be the chaplain and myself. I would take that to mean that any and all religious and support needs would be covered by only us. Which could mean all hours at any time. And if the assistant was on duty then they wouldn't be able to help when needed.

Response by PO1 Kerry French made Feb 4 at 2018 3:16 AM

2018-02-04T03:16:11-05:00

BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA OOOOOHHHHH WOOOOOOO HOOOOOO BAHAHAHAHAHAHA This is HIGH-LAR-EE-OUS!! Who was the brain surgeon who came up with this crap? AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA Special treatment! BAHAHAHAHA!!! Sounds like someone who has never had to work for a chaplain to me! Guess what honey buns? They are not all like Father Mulcahey on MASH. You don't have enough time to hear all my stories of "special treatment" Do you get woken up in the middle of the night to pick up, notify and type up Red Cross Messages - ALL HOURS of the night? Do you hump 150 or more chairs up 5 decks by yourself for the Easter Sunrise service, set up the whole service, then tear it down and hump it back down... do regular duty, library duty, then a watch, work 7 days a week on deployment, Sundays, Holidays INCLUDING CHRISTMAS AND CHRISTMAS EVE??? Don't forget all the weddings that you have to be at the chapel for and the Bridezillas you get to deal with... or worse - their mothers who think you are there as their personal assistant.... Don't forget funerals too! Do you hump your own pack AND the chaplains pack AND the combat kit? And don't forget the mount out box... Do you think these "special trips" to CACO calls and health & welfare checks are fun? Oh you haven't lived until you get to tell a LCDR that his damn kid hung himself in a closet and get to set up the funeral for an 8 year old while the family falls apart - OOOOH FUN TIMES!!! I haven't even gotten started... How about scraping your shipmates guts off the bulkhead when some A-hole jihadi blows up your boat and all the letters you get to type telling the family that their loved one is DEAD... FUN TIMES INDEED! My favorite times are when the chaplain uses you like a personal slave... pick up his laundry, mail, etc... Or even better, when your chaps is a gigantic a-hole and likes to throw things at you or poke you in the head with his finger because you didn't bring something to yet another retarded community event that he wanted but didn't tell you he wanted? Or being asked to dress like the F'ing Easter Bunny? How about those Midnight masses... and you are still there when everyone else is gone? Setting up big buffet spreads for the ungrateful Protestants (the Catholics were usually pretty good and self sufficient which I appreciated so much!) who leave their kid's dirty diapers in your bathroom? Or having to unplug the toilet at fellowship because someone left a giant redwood turd in the toilet... or cleaning up some kid's barf on the floor? Or having to tactfully tell someone that you will find them another chaplain for counseling your little boy because... well... this priest is under investigation... YEEEEEEEAH..... How about you have a nice big foaming cup of STFU?

Response by LTC Hillary Luton made Feb 5 at 2018 8:37 PM

2018-02-05T20:37:15-05:00

Keep in mind, the Chaplain's Assistant's #1 priority is to protect and serve the Chaplain. In Garrison, this can mean everything from maintaining the chapel, possibly serving as the Chaplain's driver, and who knows what else. They potentially work very long days. Take it to the combat zone, and they are also required to protect the Chaplain since the Chaplain is not authorized to carry a weapon. That means they go everywhere the Chaplain goes. So what's more important? Making sure the assistant gets his/her fair share of extra duty assignments or protecting the life of a Soldier who is not authorized by doctrine to carry a weapon?

Not sure why you are asking this question. If it is because you are an assistant and you just want to gage other's opinions, that's fine. But if its because you think the assistants are getting over, maybe try shadowing them for a day and see everything they do. Put yourself in their shoes. If you can't do that, maybe consider not worrying about whether someone else is getter preferential treatment or not. Worry about how well you are doing your job and how you can help others be more effective in their job.

Response by CAPT Timothy Prendergast made Feb 7 at 2018 10:02 AM

2018-02-07T10:02:01-05:00

Anyone who thinks being a Chap's Assistant is such a great deal should become one.

Response by CAPT Timothy Prendergast made Feb 7 at 2018 10:09 AM

2018-02-07T10:09:45-05:00

Clearly, anyone who thinks being a Chap's Assistant is such a good deal should become one.

Response by SPC James Walsh made Feb 11 at 2018 12:44 AM

2018-02-11T00:44:01-05:00

I would say their job and many others have special circumstances and that's just the way it is. I remember when I was in Iraq there was this fueler who worked two hours a day while the rest of us busted our asses 12-18 hours a day. That is what his Mos required daily, so he would help with other stuff (sometimes).

Response by SMSgt Paul Lukich made Feb 21 at 2018 4:45 PM

2018-02-21T16:45:33-05:00

You are part of the unit and should be treated just like everyone else. I served as a Chapel Manager for twenty-two years and took great pleasure in supporting the mission of the unit. Also, Chaplain Assistants had quite a bit of down time during the week.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 22 at 2018 8:42 PM

2018-02-22T20:42:35-05:00

yes, so AR 165-1 defines those of us in Special Staff as, Special! So our skills are that of regular Soldiers, then we add our Additional Skills, some of which are affected by Rosters. We do not want to be exclusive and avoid all of these. The rules say they need the Chaplain to allow it. The true goal is Balance. We need to build rapport with the Soldiers to do our job, but this cannot interfere with direct Religious Support Operations. SO we should not be pulling duty late Saturday or early Sunday, but Wednesday morning should not be an issue. We want to use this as keeping us "regular Soldiers" to keep traditional duty respect, being in the trenches with the troops, gaining the insight an Officer would not be able to gain. Discuss this plan with the Chaplain, get back with a response to HHC and support their needs within the allowances the Chaplain has provided. MSG Hertzler

Response by SFC Benjamin Gentry made Feb 24 at 2018 11:49 AM

2018-02-24T11:49:44-05:00

Each of us has a call to duty, whether as a 42A, 11C, or as a 92Y, we all have a job to do! Thank God, I’m retired, too many whiners!

Response by SFC Nate Robertson made Mar 4 at 2018 11:24 PM

2018-03-04T23:24:11-05:00

Every military job has it's own "cross to bear" but that job deserves any sorry called perks it gets. Pro's no Cq Cons
JESUS is your battle buddie gotta hang around a officer every day all day. Want to go to a bar after work? Bet your battle buddie wants to go to the art museum. Who has the least friends in the unit guess right-- your battle buddie and your the next one. Chaplains play an important role in the military
and so do the assistants. But his free time is a whole lot different than the rest of the military so officer's and enlisted avoid him and his assistant.

Response by CPT Kurk Harris made Mar 7 at 2018 9:59 PM

2018-03-07T21:59:17-05:00

When I was a SPC, I thought they were getting over. Decades of service later, I see the bigger picture. Chaplains are members of the BN/BDE staff. As such, they are subject to all the demands of being in the command staff. The Chaplains Assistant functions as their driver, security detail, secretary, RTO etc... If someone from the BN is in the field, so is the Chaplain and his/her assistant. Most other soldiers in the unit are replaceable for the 2 days (CQ and recovery) the soldier is lost. The Chaplains Assistant is not.

Response by GySgt Joseph Jay Johnston made Mar 9 at 2018 12:00 PM

2018-03-09T12:00:09-05:00

spec ser is exempt from all duty,on call 24/7,never know when a movie star wants to have a show for our troops especially in a combat zone.these guy work their ass off when in a combat zone.....

Response by SGT(P) Bruce Cram made Mar 13 at 2018 8:51 PM

2018-03-13T20:51:30-04:00

I was a Chaplain Assistant in the GA Army National Guard.
During one of our annual training we had a soldier attempt suicide. Thankfully, one of his buddies d him in time. After we were contacted the CH and I spent most of 2 days with counseling him, working with AER, Red Cross and other agencies to help solve his problems and also communicating with his wife.

Another AT, one of our AGR soldiers had a severe heart attack in the field. The CH and I followed him to the Army hospital, and then to a civilian hospital in a large city nearby. (I wound up sitting in the vehicle for over 3 hours because I did not have the chance to turn in my firearm before going to the civilian hospital, and they would not let me in with it). After we had that resolved, we were called to participate in a live fire exercise attending to 'casualties'. Altogether, we spent more than 48 hours going back and forth. We had to take turns driving so the other could catch a cat-nap.

One time the 1SG put me on KP, and the CH had to come find me. Last time on KP.

During drill weekends we split and traveled to try and have one of us visit each units' locations each weekend. This covered about 150-200 miles.....

So, to respond to the question: What "Special Treatment"?

Response by CSM Tee Oden made Mar 19 at 2018 7:45 PM

2018-03-19T19:45:54-04:00

The Chaplin's assistant has a unique position which requires schedule flexibility. Folks need to focus on their assignments and let the Chaplin handle any task assigned to his assistant. Relax folks, it's not that serious.

Response by A1C Tony Pecorara made Mar 20 at 2018 8:50 AM

2018-03-20T08:50:17-04:00

The same for all.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 27 at 2018 2:06 PM

2018-03-27T14:06:38-04:00

In my company, the Chaplain Assistant will be on the DA 6 just like everybody else. If he has duties that conflict with that, it is his responsibility to find a replacement and get it approved.
It isn't that hard.

Response by SGT Mark Hasch made Apr 1 at 2018 8:58 PM

2018-04-01T20:58:23-04:00

Our Chaplin told me that Chaplins don't carry a weapon!!! Their assistant is the one who dose everything and protects the chaplain!!! I'd say let whom ever is filling this position should be left alone (as long as they stay with in regs)

Response by 1stSgt Donald Smith made Apr 16 at 2018 10:23 AM

2018-04-16T10:23:08-04:00

I was a Cpl (E-4) in 1964 stationed at HQMC Henderson Hall in Arlington, Va, assigned duty in Bn Supply and our Chaplain Asst. was PFC ( E-2). He would come down to our self-service store and drawn forms the other office supplies. On a couple times, I saw him he wasn't squared away in his uniform. I explain to him that as Marine and being the Chaplain's Asst he should really be squared away at all times.

Seven years later, I reported for duty as a Gunny Sgt (E-7) assigned duty as Supply Chief for Marine Corp Air Station, Beaufort, S.C. Checked in with the Asst Supply Officer who was a Captain (O-3), yes it was that same PFC........small world...........so if you're an NCO yeah might want to be nice to your PFC's, you might be working for them someday.

He told me later on that he made Sgt real fast, Viet Nam helped and the Chaplain a Navy Captain (0 - 6) did help him get into OCS, but from then on he was on his own. When I worked for him we were both going to college at night to get a degree. He retired as a Captain and I retired as a 1stSgt.

An old story from an old Marine.........Semper Fi

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2018 12:16 AM

2018-04-23T00:16:06-04:00

You gotta be kidding me.....

Being a chaplain assistant is a very thankless job most of the time because the Chaplain always gets the love, attention and credit for much of the work we do. CAs often get picked on by other butthurt enlisted and treated like trash by some, just for doing their jobs, and oftentimes our jobs are far more complex and demanding than almost every other MOS. To be an excellent CA or chaplain requires intellect, willpower, empathy and strength of character, morality and honor that many in the military simply do not have.

Strip away the Chaplain Corps from the rest of the military, and I guarantee you it will completely collapse in a few years or less. You have no idea how essential we are to the mental, emotional and spiritual maintenance and health of the military and its members. The military is made up of human beings, not emotionless and soulless robots.

And what do I find here on RallyPoint? Of all the incredibly knuckle-headed things to question, whine about and complain for, I see yet another assclown whining about chaplain assistants and our supposedly easy jobs and "special treatment". Holy moly...some things never change...

Response by CPO Daniel Oberg made Sep 11 at 2018 12:05 PM

2018-09-11T12:05:15-04:00

Hahahaha they are the same and usually smart enough to get over

Response by 1LT Luke Flowers made Oct 19 at 2018 3:47 AM

2018-10-19T03:47:44-04:00

Yes and no, it depends. 1st if they work a full duty day on Sundays, which they typically do depending on when the earliest service starts, then they should be given a comp day. In regards to training they should be cross training and out working with the other Soldiers in the unit at least half day once or twice a week; depending on what their Unit Ministry Team or assigned Chaplian has going on.

They should be training with funeral details and should become D&C Experts.*Most of the ceremonies they will be facilitating are Memorial Ceremonies and Funerals so rendering honors and maintaining the dignity of deceased Service Members and their families is priority number one.

They are also the Chaplain’s Driver, Admistrative Assistant, Body Guard, RTO, and Enlisted Advisor. So they should be getting trained and developed as such; that is why the half days once or twice a week is so important to give the Chaplain Assistant the development required to attain mastery of those duties.

They need to be at training events actually getting trained and not just walking around with the Chaplian handing out prayers and snacks. Chaplain Assistant better be doing things like PT with squads in the Battalion, going to ranges, filling in and working with other MOS’s ie if it is an Infantry Battalion doing STX, the Chaplian Assistant hops in as an extra Rifleman.

That is where they can learn necessary skills and build relationships in the Battalion to better fulfill their duties as Chaplain Assistant.

The Chaplain has an ear with the Senior Leaders within the Brigade and maybe Division so if the Chaplain and Chaplian Assistant are working well together they can help communicate and resolve a lot of Soldier issues.

I was on a special duty assignment as a SGT as a Chaplain Assistant 2004-05. 28 Trans Bn EN TEMPS! I had an incredible Chaplain and Battalion command team.

Response by 1LT Luke Flowers made Oct 19 at 2018 3:54 AM

2018-10-19T03:54:03-04:00

Definitely exempt from Staff Duty/CQ and basically all other last we need a body “hey you!” detail bullshit.

Response by SSG K Johnson made Dec 6 at 2018 2:27 PM

2018-12-06T14:27:52-05:00

They need to be treated differently because our mission was different than any other specialization. The chaplain and assistant are a Unit Ministry Team that should never be messed with by senior personnel that can't understand the role of a unique MOS like that

Response by CPO Albert Kennison made Feb 22 at 2020 12:33 PM

2020-02-22T12:33:15-05:00

I agree with the CW2. If you don't like what you do, reclassify to a job that you are willing to do without BITCHING about. You are in the military, and everyone has their job to do.

Response by SFC Francisco Rosario made Feb 22 at 2020 5:47 PM

2020-02-22T17:47:58-05:00

These Soldiers perform special duties that most don't want to perform. They are also there for those who are in need. Not everyone is capable of that.

Response by COL William Oseles made Feb 23 at 2020 1:43 AM

2020-02-23T01:43:29-05:00

The Chaplin's assistance can be called at any time to assist in Death Notifications, assisting in grief counseling and dealing with bereaved service members or their families.
Would you like to have to deal with that?

Response by SSG Darrell Peters made Feb 23 at 2020 8:56 AM

2020-02-23T08:56:38-05:00

I can tell you being on the Emergency Room Staff of several Army Hospitals we were exempt from CQ and Staff Duty. Except for Fort Benning the Hospital had it's own Staff Duty and the NCO IC of each Department Pulled Staff Duty. As for Chaplain Assistants, I worked with several in the Hospital and in the Field. When you have situations that occur in the Emergency Room Environment a good Chaplain's Assistant is worth their weight in Gold. You probably didn't know that Jewish Rabbi's do circumcisions. The Chaplain's Assistant made sure everything was ready as a Medic I ensured all the medical instruments were there.
A Chaplain and a Chaplains assistant are on duty 24-7. They are there in the event of a major catastrophe even a minor one.

Response by SSG Ralph Watkins made Feb 24 at 2020 8:20 AM

2020-02-24T08:20:43-05:00

Life isn't fair. Deal with it. Depending on the command & the circumstances, somebody always seems to be shamming while others seem to be getting screwed. I dated a 71L who never did CQ or went to the field. a straight 0800-1700 hour job. In a matter of 18 months, she was able to take 2 years worth of college courses. My unit spent every other month in the field, were always going on alert, did CQ, got sent out with other units at all hours of the day & night, & so. I was jealous of my GF but at the same time happy that things went so well for her.

Response by CPO Clifford Henry made Mar 2 at 2022 6:05 PM

2022-03-02T18:05:09-05:00

If folks spent as much time working as they do worrying about other folks, nobody would need to stay late. The people who need to know what that Chaplain Asst. is doing, know.