Where have you been most pleasantly surprised to see a Chaplain present?

2015-07-28T15:15:12-04:00

During your time in the military, where have you been most pleasantly surprised to see a Chaplain present and on duty? Can you describe that experience or that Chaplain?

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Jul 28 at 2015 3:19 PM

2015-07-28T15:19:09-04:00

In the harsh field environment?

Response by SFC Stephen King made Jul 28 at 2015 3:19 PM

2015-07-28T15:19:43-04:00

I was pleasantly surprised when I met a Chaplain in the GYM. He could lift heavy things and put them down.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Jul 28 at 2015 3:21 PM

2015-07-28T15:21:53-04:00

CPT William Beaver, An Irish Priest appearing from the darkness on an Escape and Evasion course was a pleasant surprise.

Response by MSG Tim Gray made Jul 28 at 2015 3:22 PM

2015-07-28T15:22:08-04:00

We conducted some ops in Baghdad around 04, the Chaplain went out with us during meets with some sheiks. Some of these meets the boss and the chaplain went into "compounds" weapons and IBA-less

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jul 28 at 2015 3:29 PM

2015-07-28T15:29:18-04:00

MCT Field op. Our BN Chaplain, LT(jg) was at least 50~ years old if he was a day if he was a day. Apparently he had a nice successful civilian career, and decided he wanted to Serve. So he did. It was motivating as heck.

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made Jul 28 at 2015 3:30 PM

2015-07-28T15:30:01-04:00

On the flight line while deployed to Incirlik AB Turkey on a Saturday. We were prepping KC-135s for a mission later in the day and the Chaplain came out with OJ and cookies and talked with us while we worked. I understand it was fairly minor but his willingness to take the time meant a lot. Beside, who doesn't like getting cookies and OJ?

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Jul 28 at 2015 3:39 PM

2015-07-28T15:39:59-04:00

I have seen chaplains during BCT, AIT and some TDY locations, which I guess it is to be expected as they are of their respective installations.

I've also seen Chaplains while deployed, both inside and outside the wire...which I guess it is also to be expected. I mean if Chaplain Joseph Lacy could do the same training and be in the same battles with his Rangers, then what's your excuse.

But just recently, we had a 2 week gunnery, and I was actually surprised to see our Chaplain in the field with us.

She actually set up her own little tent, created a makeshift "living room" complete with a snack table.

She conducted 2 weekly services even if there were only 4 takers.

She would fondly recount for us her stories from back when she was with an Infantry unit and how she would low crawl to her soldiers to offer them coffee. A former RN to complete the "care package"

She would say as a little girl she would draw herself as a nun with combat boots.

A very impressive Chaplain.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 3:45 PM

2015-07-28T15:45:14-04:00

The day after we were overrun, an hour after we cleared the compound , a Chaplain came down from III MAF to our compound to console us and pray for the deceased.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 6:27 PM

2015-07-28T18:27:30-04:00

In the swamps of Florida. He came out with us, rode on the boat, and walked in the swamp with us for a while. It sucked but he was there sucking right beside us.

Response by SGT Hector Rojas, AIGA, SHA made Jul 28 at 2015 6:56 PM

2015-07-28T18:56:08-04:00

CH (MAJ) William Beaver thanks for your endorsement Sir.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 28 at 2015 10:15 PM

2015-07-28T22:15:17-04:00

Prior to our assault on Fallujah in Nov 04. Everyone knew it was going to be messy, but he gave us confidence in ourselves and our mission.

Response by SrA Matthew Knight made Jul 29 at 2015 2:44 AM

2015-07-29T02:44:48-04:00

Might not seem too special to most but while I was at Scott our squadron's chaplain would occasionally bring food in for everyone. He made sure to hit each shift too since we were 24/7. Was always welcome, especially on mids.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 29 at 2015 11:47 PM

2015-07-29T23:47:46-04:00

My current BN Chaplin and his asst(former SF Major now an E5 Chaplin asst). Every field problem/Gunnery we do they show up in a hi top HUMVEE loaded down with coolers of ice cold Gatorade and assorted snacks to include Bologna and turkey sandwiches, pigs feet, etc. always has a smile and a joke, and always willing to do a short service for anyone that is interested.

Response by SPC David Hannaman made Aug 13 at 2015 5:41 PM

2015-08-13T17:41:12-04:00

My experiences with Chaplin's have always been positive. It seemed like they always had a calming effect wherever they appeared (even though we didn't always have the same brand of faith).

I think it's because they're uniquely positioned as an authority figure, but there to provide calm counsel instead of orders. Like the gentle Uncle that can give you calm perspective as to what you're doing wrong when your parents are screaming at you.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 13 at 2015 6:08 PM

2015-08-13T18:08:20-04:00

Helping us push a bird into the hangar in inclement weather when our only working tow tractor was broken. I'll say this as well, the amount of people who talked to him and used him as the amazing resource he was after seeing that probably tripled.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 28 at 2017 6:53 PM

2017-08-28T18:53:40-04:00

I see one Navy answer, one Marine, and no Coast Guard answer (nothing wrong with that, just noting the variety of perspectives in the chaplain corps between the different services); would anyone in the sea services be able to comment further on this one? Seeing the Army and AF perspectives is great, and thanks to all for their answers. But, perhaps as professional development, can any of you sea service types answer this as well? I'd like to see where else I can grow (and good ideas to, um, borrow). I've cleaned the ship when it was in the yards, gone on BMOW and Engineering Security rounds, did the OJ and food on the mess decks, cleaned in the galley with the non-rates, and stood with the night watches on the bridge. Just looking to hear where my shipmates have been glad to see a chaplain, so I can do that too and minister to my folks even more. And maybe, where would you have liked to have seen a chaplain?