What's the Best Advice you've been given from a Chaplain?

2013-12-10T05:11:05-05:00

I'm curious as to what words of wisdom fellow chaplains may have shared.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Dec 10 at 2013 8:02 AM

2013-12-10T08:02:55-05:00

The best advice I received from a Chaplain was when I was a WO1 and going through deplorable obstacles. "He told me trust God, that I was going through this for my purpose". This was in 2007 and in 2009 I became a Chaplain Candidate.

Response by SGT Ben Keen made Dec 10 at 2013 10:51 AM

2013-12-10T10:51:24-05:00

While not really spiritual advice, I think the actiong that have stuck with me the longest were the actions of the Chaplains of the 1BCT/101st Airborne Chaplin on the morning following the Soldier-on-Soldier attack on Camp Pennsylvania in March 2003.

Following the memorial service we were gearing up because we were going to cross into Iraq later that night and the Chaplains was walking around to everyone. And while I do not claim to be a strong religious type of person, seeing them gearing up and checking in with us following what can only be summed up as one heck of a night, made me a little calmer. The Chaplin for the FSB walked over to my commo van and asked if we were ready. I replied with a "Yes sir as ready as we can be for the unknown." He wished us lucked and said "I'll see you in Najaf." After an endless convoy we pulled into a staging area just south of An Najaf and standing there was the Chaplin. I had the vehicle stop as we pulled up to him, we smiled at each other and he said "Welcome to Iraq SGT Keen, get your team ready you are now in the unknown; time to kick butt and take names!" Have him with us made some things a little better all things considered.

Response by CPT Brandon Christensen made Dec 10 at 2013 8:07 PM

2013-12-10T20:07:06-05:00

Best advice given to me was to never be ashamed to ask the Lord for help. To take a break from what you are dealing with and ask for guidance from Him. That the Lord will answer your prayer, but you need to keep an open eye and ear as the Lord works in mysterious ways and isn't going to give you the help as easy. That he wants us to learn from our mistakes/issues to better ourselves as human beings. Thank you Chaplain Harris!

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 10 at 2013 8:34 PM

2013-12-10T20:34:02-05:00

Simple: "Call me for anything."

I have seen some amazing things from some amazing Chaplains. All of them had one common standard.....they were always there and able to support the spiritual needs of the Soldiers they serviced. They demonstrated service. They would drop anything to take care of a Soldier in need.

There advice has often saved their Soldiers. I have no doubt that when I have a Soldier in need, I can grab my phone and call our Chaplain. If I have a need, I can do the same. It does not matter when it is.....he will help.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 10 at 2013 9:36 PM

2013-12-10T21:36:01-05:00

Instead of focusing on what you think your wife is doing wrong focus on what you can do better as a husband.

If both of us take the same approach you couldn't ask for a better marriage.

Response by CSM Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2013 5:18 AM

2013-12-11T05:18:37-05:00

I can speak of two instances that an Army chaplain helped me. The first,
when I was a young NCO and newly married. My wife and I were having
difficulties as many newlyweds do. There were many factors that I will not
share but the main focus was on control in the relationship. The chaplain spoke
to each of us separately and then together. During the group counseling he
offered me some very pointed advice. He said "You married a partner for
life and not a subordinate. The responsibilities of the relationship need to be
shared and not delegated as if you are in charge of the relationship." He
then mentioned that this can be accomplished while still maintaining the Man of
the House mindset. In that he said, I do have certain obligations but he
believed in a partnership my wife and I through open communication could figure
those out as we saw the need. Very wise advice that we still use today. We have
been together now nearly 18 years.

The second, my wife and I wanted a certain chaplain to dedicate our children
to GOD. It is similar to a baptism of sorts. This chaplain asked is ordaining
element if he could do the ceremony and they denied the request because we were
not from his faith. So, he performed the ceremony for us as we requested but
had another chaplain present to sign the dedication certificates. That made us
feel very good that he would put our desires ahead of his ordaining element at
the same time not violating their wishes. It is a gray line I speak of BUT
still a line he did not cross. We still speak with that chaplain today.

Response by WO1(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 11 at 2013 6:53 AM

2013-12-11T06:53:28-05:00

Choose your fiends wisely…. but choose
friends. Find friends you can trust and be yourself with it does mean that you’ll sometimes get
injured, but the reward is worth it.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made May 23 at 2014 4:16 PM

2014-05-23T16:16:04-04:00

The Lord’s grace is assured, but that doesn’t mean we don’t take cover too? I need you guys as much as you might need me…I have to go into combat unarmed!

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 23 at 2014 5:14 PM

2014-05-23T17:14:20-04:00

When I got back I had a 1 yr old son who had no idea who I was. Best advice I was given by our chaplain was to take time everyday to play with him one-on-one so that he figured out who I am. I think initially I was more scared of him than he was of me. Kind of ironic that you can take in 150 combat casualties and then be frightened by a 1 yr old.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 23 at 2014 5:16 PM

2014-05-23T17:16:31-04:00

From one of those pre-long weekend "safety" speeches in Korea I'm paraphrasing but essentially,

"Please men if your going to frequent the bars and "establishments" down in Itaiwan, Seoul or TDC make sure you have protection"

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made May 20 at 2015 11:51 PM

2015-05-20T23:51:40-04:00

"Don't get the chicken, its dry, try the turkey instead."

He was right.

Response by CH (CPT) Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 18 at 2019 11:47 AM

2019-01-18T11:47:13-05:00

I came to the Faith while serving in the military. I shared my concern with my ARNG Battalion Chaplain when I received the call to ministry. I was 34 years old. I had already served in the military for almost 16 years. I joined the USMC at age 17.

I shared with him at the time, that I had already served many years in the military. Both on Active Duty and in the Reserve Components.

USMC 1978 - 1981
U.S. Army 1981 - 1985
U.S. Army Reserve 1985 - 1985
U.S. Army 1987 - 1991 (Desert Storm Veteran)
Ohio Army National Guard 1991 - 1994

He told me with a straight face, that I could run from my calling, but it won’t be any use. God will eventually catch me. In closing, that Army National Guard Chaplain who was a Presbyterian Minister said, “Keep the Faith. Follow Him who has called you. He will lead your journey.” So, the rest is history. I attended and graduated Seminary, was Commissioned a 2LT Chaplain Candidate in 1998 in the ARNG. I was Ordained, appointed to a Church, promoted to 1LT, transferred into the Army Reserve and became an Army Reserve Chaplain.

As an Army Reserve Chaplain, I was mobilized three times. I was deployed in direct support of (Operation Enduring Freedom). I served on a Fifth Army CO-TTAD in direct support of (Operation Noble Eagle). I deployed twice overseas on two AD (OCONUS) Tour Call-UPS and deployed three times on AD (CONUS) Tour Call-UPS. I served on extra AT’s, ADT, AD, RMA’s JTPA’s and Drills serving as an Army Reserve Chaplain in support of the expanded mission. I would like to think, I was a Soldiers Chaplain serving as a (Presence of Ministry) for the Troops and their mission. I spent several Anniversaries, Birthdays and Holidays away from my home and Family as a Reservist. I had to resign from two churches, due to being mobilized, wondering if I would receive another appointment from the Bishop upon return from my Mobilization. I would faithfully go on to serve another 16 years from 1994.

Ohio Army National Guard 1991 - 1999
U.S. Army Reserve 1999 - 2010

I retired in the U.S. Army Reserve in 2010 as a CH(CPT). God blessed my Chaplain Ministry.

For God and Country

Blessings

Kevin

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 19 at 2022 3:55 PM

2022-09-19T15:55:14-04:00

"Be true to yourself"

Response by PVT Ted Rodosovich made Nov 16 at 2022 10:36 PM

2022-11-16T22:36:14-05:00

Religions r fairy tales.

Response by PVT Ted Rodosovich made Feb 17 at 2023 4:21 AM

2023-02-17T04:21:16-05:00

Absolutely NONE. Religion is a belief in fairies. A good social worker is much better.

Response by PVT Ted Rodosovich made May 13 at 2023 4:06 AM

2023-05-13T04:06:34-04:00

Y would I listen to advice from some1 who is mentally ill..?

Response by SSG Donald Bramley made Nov 14 at 2023 8:02 PM

2023-11-14T20:02:58-05:00

I was a victim of racial slurs and sexual violation. After reporting the incidents, the said: "Don't hold a grudge, but ask to fogive, so that your life can continue forward and hope their's can become changed." I was in my 8 weeks Basic Training. 1955 intergration was still a problem, at Ft Chaffee, AK. My appreciation, Chaplin Richard Hayes