Courtesy Photo | FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Maj. Gen. Virgil L. Packett II, acting commander of the XVIII...... read more read more
By Capt. Sonise Lumbaca, 1st Corps Support Command
FORT BRAGG, N.C.--The Army has taken many steps to ensure that when Soldiers redeploy from combat there are resources in place for them and their families to turn to for reintegration. One of these vital resources is the Army chaplain, who throughout the Army represents a variety of denominations.
Prior to redeploying, many units are briefed by their chaplains on issues that Soldiers are facing when returning home, but sometimes this isn't enough. One unit has recognized this and taken this process a step further because the have realized that some Soldiers are confiding in their off-post clergymen for problems such as stress and readjusting to normal life.
In aiding Soldiers and improving awareness of the many resources that the Army offers for distressed Soldiers and their families, the 1st Corps Support Command hosted a Spiritual Outreach Forum for local clergymen Oct. 17 at the Fort Bragg Watters Center.
Thirty-seven clergymen of various denominations from the surrounding Fort Bragg communities attended the forum. Additionally, members of the Fort Bragg Chaplain Corps attended to not only brief but also interact with the clergymen.
"We are recognizing that some Soldiers aren't always coming to our Army chaplains for help but rather to their local clergymen," said Col. Robin Akin, rear detachment commander for the 1st COSCOM.
Akin approached her rear detachment chaplain, Lt. Col. Timothy Lance, about the forum a couple of months ago believing that there was a need for it.
"Col. Akin came to me and said it would be good for us to get some of the local civilian clergymen together to share with them some of the things they need to know about the various Army agencies in place and what to look for as our Soldiers return (from deployment)," Lance said.
The need for the forum was validated about a month later when a deployed member of the 1st COSCOM sent a distressed letter to his pastor stateside outlining personal problems he was dealing with. The pastor immediately contacted members of the unit for help.
"The pastor did the right thing in contacting us. Instead of the situation getting worse, we were able to get that Soldier the help he was afraid to ask for," Akin said.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, suicide prevention, combat stress and PREP (Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program) were some of the items discussed with the clergymen during the forum.
"The most important thing that I took from this (forum) is that there are places that we can refer Soldiers to while understanding that in doing so their careers have not been jeopardized as a result," said Pastor Louise Hilbert of the St. James Lutheran Church.
Like many of the clergymen who attended the forum, Hilbert has had to deal with Soldiers who were afraid to seek help from military agencies for fear that it would negatively impact their career.
"I think it is great because we need to support our Soldiers as they go through what can be a difficult time in their lives," Hilbert said. "Understanding the Army resources and what they can do will benefit us all."
"I think that this effort is very effective, important and that it is an educational process that is needed," said Abdul Haneef, an Imam of Masjid (Mosque) Omar Ibn Sayyid.
On average, his mosque has 10 to 15 Soldiers that attend services, which varies in numbers due to deployments, Haneef said.
"We commend the Army in inviting the Islamic community," he said. "We are an important and intricate part of Fayetteville because many Soldiers are a part of the Islamic community.
The importance of the forum was emphasized by the attendance of Maj. Gen. Virgil L. Packett II, acting commander for the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg.
"I am here to really thank you for coming forward and taking part in this initiative," Packett said in addressing the clergymen. "It is so good to see all of you here, and I would ask you and your congregations to solicit [Soldiers"] thoughts as you embrace them and welcome them back into your communities. We look forward to your participation and engagement."
During the forum there was plenty of interaction between military personnel and clergymen, which was augmented by presentations to include one given by the 1st COSCOM Family Readiness Group.
"I was unaware that a program like the Family Readiness Group existed," Hilbert said. "[The FRG] sounds like something families can definitely benefit from."
A lot of questions were answered, and all of the clergymen received a variety of pamphlets and contact information to aid them in dealing with issues that may arise when confronted by a Soldier in need.
"We are all on the same team in taking care of Soldiers and their families, especially since (clergymen) are the ones left behind to take care of the families in some cases," Hilbert said.
With the new knowledge of the Army resources and problems that Soldiers and their families are dealing with, local clergymen are now armed with tools to help combat issues.
"I will become more intentional about talking to Soldiers and their families about what they are going through and invite them to share their experiences," Hilbert said.
| Date Taken: | 10.19.2005 |
| Date Posted: | 10.19.2005 12:53 |
| Story ID: | 3402 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 84 |
| Downloads: | 16 |
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