What makes you trust a chaplain?

2014-11-22T10:30:50-05:00

Because chaplains come from all kinds of endorsement backgrounds, it is luck of the draw whether a soldier agrees with a chaplain in all matters of spirituality. However some chaplains have a tendency to overly contextualize their ministry (water down their beliefs) to fit in. Cussing is a great example. Some chaplains think that to fit in with a combat arms section, they need to speak with the same types of phrases in order to fit in.

Is that necessary? Considering you don't agree with them spiritually for whatever reason, what makes you trust a chaplain or consider them worth opening up to? What makes you distrust a chaplain or consider them a waste of good officer pay?

Is cussing or context necessary? How about prior enlisted service?

Who are some great chaplains who exemplified this?

Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 22 at 2014 12:21 PM

2014-11-22T12:21:51-05:00

CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member, I have found it very easy to trust chaplains over the years because they are - first and foremost - men (/women) of God. Whether I agree with them 100% on spiritual matters is not all that important. Nearly all of the chaplains I've known have had a peace about them (again, I attribute that to the "God quotient"), and they have been very easy to get to know, to like, and to trust.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 22 at 2014 8:04 AM

2014-12-22T08:04:47-05:00

100% confidentiality, and knowing when to let the small things go.

For example, I would stop talking to a Southern Baptist chaplain pretty quickly if he told me I was going to hell for drinking a beer after work.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 6 at 2015 3:51 PM

2015-04-06T15:51:23-04:00

nevermind...already said it.

Response by SPC Ethan Reddick made Feb 23 at 2016 11:22 AM

2016-02-23T11:22:20-05:00

That's funny because I know the chaplain in that picture. Fantastic Catholic priest.

I think from a chaplain assistant perspective you have to know that the chaplain is going to be there in practically any situation. And that they are capable of providing the same support to their soldier that an NCO can do. I've met some great chaplains out there.

Although because due to a chaplain being a supervisor I was told that I should speak with another chaplain outside of my unit because it has to do with confidentiality.

I especially love working with my Jewish Chaplains.

Response by CH (CPT)(P) Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2022 9:55 AM

2022-05-14T09:55:56-04:00

Using profanity to fit in is definitely not necessary for a Chaplian If anything, the Chaplain needs to be the one setting the good example for the units assigned.