Courtesy Photo | CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar – The 35th Engineer Brigade Unit Ministry Team sits down...... read more read more
Subscribe
By Sgt. Amber Criswell
35th EN BDE, Task Force Muleskinner Public Affairs
CAMP AS SAYLIYAH, Qatar – The 35th Engineer Brigade (Taskforce Muleskinner) unit ministry team (UMT) visited Soldiers with the 505th Engineer Battalion in June to fellowship and ensure religious and counseling needs were met.
The UMT is comprised of Chaplain Maj. Christopher Bryan and Staff Sgt. Gessee Luos. The Muleskinner UMT has traveled to many countries within the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of responsibility during the brigade’s deployment to fulfill religious needs of Soldiers while they complete their missions.
The First Amendment states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof … ” The Army and the 35th take that right seriously. One way in which commanders can be certain this need is being met is to utilize the UMT and have the team travel to Soldiers.
“Unit ministry team visits to down trace units are essential. Chaplains and religious affairs specialists provide direct religious support to Soldiers,” Bryan said. “We rely on other UMTs to take care of our Soldiers at other locations, but nothing replaces a personal visit.”
Bryan explained that UMTs also advise the commander and staff on all matters of religion, ethics, morals and morale. He said teams visit their own Soldiers to assess these things so that they can provide support and report on how Soldiers are doing.
“It is important for Soldiers to know, and be reminded that they are being thought of and cared for by the brigade staff,” Luos added. “We want to ensure Soldiers are feeling safe, and they are getting what they need to accomplish their mission. We are also there to make certain that they are getting their rights to religious freedom. The connection of religion and Soldiers is that it’s a reminder that we all need to support each other and to understand what we do for our country and why.”
The 505th Engineers, from many different backgrounds, had a lot to share. Many shared what activities kept their resiliency up while in austere environments; plans for when home; future jobs and education opportunities. The Soldiers were also given the opportunity to ask questions of the UMT and understand more about the UMT mission and what resources are available to Soldiers.
“Soldiers, especially engineers, love sharing their accomplishments. I enjoy seeing their faces light up when they show projects that they completed,” Luos shared. “It melts my heart when they open up to me and ask why I chose to be a religious affairs Soldier because they don’t often talk to one.
“So, when I share my story, it’s an opportunity for me to open new doors for them. I also love that the military is a melting pot. The Soldiers were from all over the world – Jamaica, Africa, Puerto Rico and China – and different parts of the US – New York, Florida, and California. To see them laugh and the comradery is a beautiful thing to see; we all can get along no matter what background. We fight for the same reason: love.”
“I love to visit our Soldiers, to be able to come alongside them and walk with them through life’s ups and downs,” Bryan said. “I like to encourage them and pray with them, and whenever possible, to communicate their concerns to the commander so that we can make things better for them. I will treasure many of the relationships I have developed during this deployment with the Soldiers of Taskforce Muleskinner.”
The 35th Engineer Brigade has been deployed in Kuwait since December of 2017. The brigade is supporting Operation Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.
| Date Taken: | 07.27.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 08.07.2018 04:36 |
| Story ID: | 287572 |
| Location: | QA |
| Web Views: | 174 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 35th Engineer Brigade unit ministry team ensures Soldier resiliency by making personal visits, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
