Photo By Charles Haymond | U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Dmarko Brown 55th Wing chaplain assistant, kneels down...... read more read more
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At the foundation of readiness is taking care of people and with annual military suicides rates remaining steady, the chapel recognized the need for change.
After a deep-dive into the issue, U.S. Air Force Major Kevin Humphrey, 55th Wing chaplain, designed a two-phase approach.
Phase one, comprised of three steps, focuses on the squadron-level.
“I looked deeply and believed that how we have traditionally viewed resiliency was wrong,” Humphrey said. “We have removed personal responsibility ... I think we need to do a better job of showing our people how they are the stake holders and change really starts with them.”
Step one calls for squadron leadership to hand-select Care Teams comprised of natural leaders who are good with people. The teams will receive quarterly training and will continue to do their normal job, but will be entrusted with checking on the people around them.
They will have enhanced relationships with chaplains, first sergeants and Military and Family Life Counselors, in order to refer people who are struggling.
Step two is enacting quarterly faith-based studies in the squadrons or groups to create faith communities and more effective contentment and job satisfaction. Initially lead by chaplains, the hope is to empower volunteers to also take a leadership role.
“We will pay for the material for an individual if they want to lead a faith based study regardless of the faith,” Humphrey said. “The goal is for Care Teams and faith communities to create a shift in the atmosphere of our squadrons.”
The final step of phase one is embedding chaplains in the battle rhythm of the base mission including base exercises.
“When real war kicks off, everyone is going to want to see a chaplain,” Humphrey said. “So we want to use exercises as a means to practice that need when it truly arises. The other aspect of the exercises is these are strategic opportunities to care for our people who are gathered together in large numbers. Our chaplains want to be a meaningful ministry of presence.”
In phase two, which began in February, the chapel is re-working several of its programs.
The first change was moving the Catholic Masses to Saturdays and from being held at the Capehart Chapel to the Strategic Air Command Chapel on base to provide greater accessibility to alert crews and other Airmen.
In May, the chapel is scheduled to re-launch the Contemporary Worship Service transitioning it to meet the needs of younger Airmen and families. Additionally, the Protestant and Catholic communities will develop Airmen ministries and family ministries.
“Dynamic and exciting worship service is essential to many Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Soldiers support systems,” Humphrey said. “I have an amazing staff to help enable positive worship experiences that add to greater spiritual resiliency impacting their families and work centers.”
| Date Taken: | 02.27.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 02.27.2019 15:53 |
| Story ID: | 312162 |
| Location: | OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, NEBRASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 63 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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