What is the best thing a Chaplain has ever done for you?

Made me see the humor of a truly maddening situation. Three minutes of tears in your eyes can't breathe gut busting laughter... lubricated the brain housing group.

CH (MAJ) William Beaver
Ok Sir, this was three years ago.
I inadvertently responded to it just now as I did not realize it was an old thread popping back up..
Be that as it may.....
Did you get what you wanted from your question? How has it worked out for you? Are you the Chaplain you wanted to be and more importantly, the Chaplain your men needed you to be?

"What is the best thing a Chaplain has ever done for you?"
Held the tourniquet on the left leg while I put one on the right leg...though I guess technically, not really done for me.
So....I guess provide comfort to those in my company that were needing what he had to offer

I remember several Chaplains through out my career. I often attended Protestant Religious Services. Early in my career I asked one about Holy Baptism as I hadn't been baptized at that time.

She went out of her way of to make it happen. It took some effort too because it was in a deployment during the first Gulf War. She really went the extra mile. I was baptized by immersion in a swimming pool in Bahrain. I'll never forget have m how special that was to me.

Back in 1980 we had a church single adult meeting at Barchused Grardin Germany and some my group suggested that we invite the European church members to come and see if we could use the Armed Forces Recreatie Hotel.
He pulled some strings and got a OK!

Saved my life. And then I worked for my chaplain for 6 months.

As a commander, the chaplain was the one guy I could go to and vent about what a "complete tool" one of my subordinates, peers or superiors was without having to worry about it getting back to the "tool in question" or anyone else for that matter. He must have known a million "secrets". My best chaplain was a reservist who was also the dean of a theological college with multiple earned degrees - he was very smart and knew tactics and war fighting doctrine as well as any of my staff. He was a valuable member of the staff before you even considered his spiritual contributions. He listened to every soldier regardless of their complaint or rank, he could sit in silence and allow a soldier to vent as easily as he could offer sage advice, he wasn't afraid to say "... I don't know either... " when faced with a situation that really didn't have a good answer. His class As were always ready for "an official visit" but he usually had mud on his boots from spending time with soldiers. He'd offer a Sunday service to two soldiers or two hundred. He knew every soldier who could carry a tune and would include them in the service as soloist, music leaders or "plants" to get everyone else singing. He always had a funny story, a current newspaper or a wry observation to share and send to already know which was the most useful in the moment.

I went through a hard time while stationed at Schofield Barracks (late 90s) Divorce with kids and a big transition. My Bn. Chaplain talked me through and got me through the hard times with great advice and checking on me sometimes on a daily basis. He held me accountable to my responsibilities and kept my CO informed. The various forms of advice were a huge help in getting myself and my kids in a better place. Some things you can’t discuss with just anybody.

I had 5 Chaplin's that were of value to me over my 16 years in the Army. One gave me pre marriage counseling and even married my bride and me. The second provided marriage counseling and even recommended my final course of action in me divorcing my 1st wife. The 3rd was there for me when my 1st daughter was born still born, and helped dig me out the depression I went into. The 4th was there through the tragic losses I faced in Iraq in 2003 who helped me keep my faith in God, through the dark days. And the last one was an Air Force Chaplin, who after I attempted suicide after my 3rd divorce, helped renew my view of the Lord and helped me find myself. And the majority of all the times, these Chaplin's were there for me was after the duty was done.

Speaking as a Chaplain Assistant, the best thing a chaplain ever did for me was recognize my worth.

I've been one my whole career, mostly in units, and the chaplains I've had run the gamut from great to...not great. But the one I have now--he's PCSing in less than a week--was the best. Not only did we have a good rapport, but he would actually ask me for my opinion on things. Sometimes he followed my advice, sometimes he didn't, but just the fact that he recognized I have experience, knowledge and a different viewpoint on things made it a joy to go to work every day.