Photo By Pfc. Elisha Hall | Reserve Officers Training Corps cadets and the 3rd Infantry Division (3rd ID) chaplain...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Ga. – In the hushed stillness of the main base chapel at Fort Stewart, four army cadets stand shoulder-to-shoulder with heads bowed in respect, reflecting on their 22-day internship spent shadowing chaplains on post. As mourners silently file past to sign the memorial book, the cadets feel the deep, solemn weight of the chaplain’s role in offering comfort and support for the grieving Families and Soldiers.
Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) cadets were given the unique opportunity to intern at Fort Stewart, and work specifically with the chaplains of 3rd Infantry Division (3rd ID). Through the Cadet Troop Leader Training (CTLT) program, college students are afforded the option to continue their training even further via an internship where they can experience what it is like to live on a base and work in their chosen field.
“This is the first time we have participated in the Chaplain Internship Program (CHIP),” said Chaplain (Maj.) Erik Alfsen, Deputy Division Chaplain for 3rd ID. “I think it’s a really powerful opportunity for the Chaplain Corps because it provides a way to expose college students that are preparing for military service to the possibility of chaplaincy.”
This internship gives 3rd-year cadets valuable experience that goes beyond what they can learn in the classroom. By engaging in real-world Army activities like memorial services, physical training and meetings with experienced chaplains, cadets gain a clearer picture of what life will be like once they commission and complete their educational requirements at seminary.
“Recruiting can be a challenge because most of the people who qualify are clergy in churches or seminary students somewhere else,” Alfsen explained. “If they don’t have the context for the Army, then it might be hard to present the opportunity to them due to misconceptions.”
By giving cadets this opportunity, they get to see what it looks like to be a chaplain and to be part of a unit ministry team. Then potentially pursue an education delay so they can go on to seminary to become a chaplain candidate.
The four cadets in the internship included Bradyn Black, a native of Fort Worth, Texas, attending Oklahoma Christian University; Robert McCarron, a native of Middletown, New York, attending University of Colorado; Wesley Hammond, a native of Bedford, Indiana, attending Capital University in Ohio; Dakota Schmidt, a native of Charlotte, North Carolina, attending Clemson University in South Carolina. Each student is working towards a four-year degree in addition to their ROTC-elected classes and extracurriculars.
“There’s only so much you can really learn in a classroom environment,” said Hammond. “The classroom is structured and provides information, but it only gives you a partial view. You ask a question and get an answer but, in an internship, you actually get to see an answer to your question done in practice.”
McCarron has served 12 years of active duty service before deciding to make the transition from enlisted to an officer and is currently in his third year of the ROTC program. He was inspired by a combination of his faith and in expanding his education to pursue chaplaincy, which was a lengthy process to complete.
“Being active duty, your chain of command has to sign off on this program,” said cadet McCarron. “It took almost two years of going from South Korea to Colorado to get in. There was an interview with my company commander, battalion commander, and brigade commander. My dedication was tested along the way to make sure I was savvy enough and truly committed to this cause.”
ROTC emphasizes a broad range of military competencies. Throughout the course, cadets undergo training in areas such as medical procedures, land navigation and other essential field exercises. Cadets are encouraged during enrollment to take the initiative in pursuing their specific areas of interest and to express their placement preferences early on, since both the quality of their performance and preferences are a part of what influences their placement after commissioning.
“I definitely came into the internship with a lot of questions and got a lot of those answered,” said McCarron. “Just witnessing what a chaplain does every day, how they’re not just sitting behind their desk, how they’re connecting with their Soldiers, they’re doing battle rhythms and planning on how to build stronger and more ready teams. How they integrate themselves into their chain of command and with the junior enlisted and how they connect and bridge that gap is just amazing to see.”
Each cadet pursues this path to excellence in order to serve their country while achieving personal and professional goals. All in the hopes of touching the lives of many in such a unique way that is only possible within the role of an appointed army chaplain.
| Date Taken: | 08.16.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 08.27.2024 16:15 |
| Story ID: | 479244 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 124 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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