Photo By Sgt. Jessica Barb | Pennsylvania Adjutant General Maj Gen Mark Schindler speaks at a seminar for...... read more read more
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FORT INDIANTOWN GAP, PA. - Pennsylvania Adjutant General Maj. Gen. Mark Schindler spoke at a training conference for Pennsylvania Army National Guard chaplains July 2 at Fort Indiantown Gap.
Schindler said he wanted to highlight and thank all the chaplains for their challenging yet rewarding job.
“One thing that is so great about the chaplains, is that you do not have to go looking for them,” Schindler said. “If I am at the field or a training event, I don’t have to think about going to see the chaplain. They are always there when you need them, and at the places you would not think they would be there. That is something that is so great about the chaplains. They are there for the Soldiers when they need them most, and when they least expect it.”
The Chaplains' Annual Sustainment Training, or CAST, was held July 1 to 3 at Fort Indiantown Gap's Memorial Chapel. The CAST is typically held every year, but this was first time it was held in five years due to COVID-19 and other factors.
Chaplains in the military are always available to service members for any of their needs or burdens. A chaplain in the Army helps spread faith to other service members and provide motivation and support. They recognize human beings even behind their uniforms. They provide support by listening and walking with them through any of life’s challenges.
To qualify as a chaplain, Soldiers must become a commissioned officer and can be active, Reserve or National Guard status. Students studying ministry in college are also able to attend the Chaplain Candidate Program.
For those that want to remain enlisted, there is a religious affairs specialist position supports Army chaplains.
Chap. (Col.) Ryan Kraus, the state chaplain for Pennsylvania, said chaplains and religious affairs specialists care for Soldiers' "heart and soul."
“They provide religious support by ensuring Soldiers have opportunity and resources to maintain their Constitutional right to the free exercise of faith," Kraus said. "The chaplains serve as the subject matter expert on the impact of religion in the unit’s area of operations. A Soldier solidly grounded in their spiritual or religious tradition is more resilient, and better equipped to complete their mission.
“The impact of a chaplain can range from consideration of how local religious holidays affect military operations or educating down to the lowest level,” Kraus added. “This is so that they can understand and respect local religious practices and social customs.”
Chaplains take on challenging yet rewarding work and help promote and spread religious diversity. They learn multiple skills such as understanding moral support, multiple workshops, and religious operations. Chaplains oversee military religious education programs, workshops, religious ministries, counseling sessions and special events.
“For most of us, we have the desire to serve our God and our country, which is what draws us to the chaplaincy,” said Chap. (Maj.) David Boyles, of the 55th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade. “The chaplain motto is ’Pro Deo et Patria,‘ or 'For God and country,' which clearly defines the calling that chaplains serve under as we put our faith in to practice through shepherding His people. This is what any minister would do within their local church, mosque or synagogue.
“The difference for a chaplain is that we do that ministry in uniform and our congregations are our units,” Boyles added. “We all have a deep desire to serve our country as well, which for each of the chaplains within the corps, grows out of many different patriotic reasons.”
| Date Taken: | 07.02.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 07.12.2024 08:49 |
| Story ID: | 475950 |
| Location: | FORT INDIANTOWN GAP , PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 35 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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