Courtesy Photo | Sgt. Christian Feist, chaplain assistant for the 3rd Ordnance Battalion (EOD), 71st...... read more read more
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ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - For more than 100 years Army chaplain assistants have been coordinating activities, maintaining facilities and equipment, safeguarding offerings, supporting readiness programs, ensuring worshippers are comfortable in their religious surroundings and many other things while supporting chaplains and the military as a whole. Therefore, their recognition should not be a “divine” mystery.
Earlier this month, Sgt. Christian Feist, chaplain assistant for the 3d Ordnance Battalion (EOD), 71st Ordnance Group (EOD), 20th CBRNE Command (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives) out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord, was selected as the JBLM Chaplain Assistant of the Year, and he hopes to get selected to participate at the U.S. Army Pacific Command level as well.
“It means a great deal,” said Feist. “I put a lot of work preparing for this competition, and second place was not going to justify it.”
According to Feist the competition was very close since the other three contestants were selected from previous Chaplain Assistant Soldier and Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter boards.
“It was a bit of a surprise,” added Feist. “But I thought my odds were pretty good.”
But it does not end here for him. Feist received an Army Achievement Medal for his performance in Chaplain Assistant of the Quarter, and has been recommended for an Army Commendation Medal for his performance in his latest competition as well.
In addition, Feist is en route to E6 (staff sergeant) promotion board, and he is scheduled to attend Advance Leadership Course next month.
His accomplishments have been noticed by his command even at the brigade level.
“He is one of the best chaplain assistants in all the Chaplain Corps,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Barton Herndon, a chaplain with the 20th CBRNE Command. “Sgt. Feist's superior service makes the Chaplain Corps very proud.”
Feist also said the Army is giving a lot of emphasis on these types of events, and that it is one way to distinguish himself while learning a lot in the process.
“I really hope that my packet gets selected for the US Army Pacific level competition,” said Feist. “I would really like for the chance to compete at that level.”
| Date Taken: | 03.14.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 03.15.2016 14:23 |
| Story ID: | 192456 |
| Location: | ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MARYLAND, US |
| Hometown: | FORT LEWIS, WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 307 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, JBLM Chaplain Assistant of the Year, by SFC Angel Martinez-Navedo, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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