What do you need from your Chaplain?

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 21:21:24 -0400

I ask this question, for many times I hear I am good Chaplain! I am huge on supporting troops, and I want to know how has a Chaplain met your needs, surpassed your expectations.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 24 at 2014 9:24 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 21:24:39 -0400

I've been fortunate enough to have an outstanding Chaplain reach out to just say "hello, how are things with you." Indeed, sometimes it is the little things that make a difference. : )

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Mar 24 at 2014 9:42 PM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Mon, 24 Mar 2014 21:42:47 -0400

From what I remember, my Soldiers and I always liked seeing the Chaplain out amongst all of us -- regardless of what we were doing. Lifting weights, just being idiots between missions in Iraq, etc. Knowing the Chaplain was someone we could relate to when we didn't necessarily have a personal issue made it that much easier to trust the Chaplain when we needed to talk. That trust was built long before the point of crisis.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Mar 25 at 2014 9:50 PM

1SG Michael Blount — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 21:50:04 -0400

rill Sergeant units are a little different than most. The Drill Sergeant Candidates are really under the gun from the time they come into the unit until they ship for Drill Sergeant School, where the heat's really on. My Chaplain has come to understand that and focuses his attention on the Candidates, leaving us old goats alone. I heard him tell a young Candidate "Drill School isn't forever"...so he seems to read their minds a little bit. He's been a great help that way.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 25 at 2014 11:00 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 23:00:22 -0400

I have had good relations with all my chaplains in the past. The first thing I let them know is I'm an atheist, but not anti-religion. Religion has it's place and it has helped many people, so I encourage any of my Soldiers who have faith to attend services if they want to. My current chaplain and I are the same age and from a similar background, so we are pretty tight. I even helped him with his ministerial website for our unit. He has done benedictions for our annual dining out and has led memorial services for retired unit members who have passed away. I would definitely go to him for help if I needed it.

Response by 1SG Michael Blount made Mar 25 at 2014 11:16 PM

1SG Michael Blount — Tue, 25 Mar 2014 23:16:47 -0400

During my first Iraq tour, I remember being impressed by my chaplain. Here was a guy tooling around Fallujah with bullets flying sand everything else, who was UNNARMED visiting every firm base in the AO, knowing that if the muj caught him, he wouldn't stand a chance. That is selfless service to the max.

Response by SSG Matthew Thomas made Mar 26 at 2014 5:04 PM

SSG Matthew Thomas — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 17:04:02 -0400

I always saw the Chaplin as a relatable seasoned element within the organization who guides us.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2014 9:49 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 May 2014 21:49:30 -0400

Free blow pops. Seriously, Father Bob comes to the field with a flight bag full of blow pops. Oh, and he's a cool old cat to chew the fat with.

*my attempt to humorously say what Maj Hoffman said

Response by LTC Richard Wasserman made May 9 at 2014 1:31 PM

LTC Richard Wasserman — Fri, 09 May 2014 13:31:01 -0400

Hang out buddy--They are usually smart and good conversationalist