Posted on Mar 4, 2015
What are the benefits of having Chaplains at the battalion level?
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There have been many challenges to the necessity of the chaplaincy in recent years. There are some who would like to see chaplains removed from the battalion level. What benefits do you see to maintaining the position of battalion chaplain. Share your thoughts.
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At battalion level, the chaplain has a better chance to personally get to know all of the Soldiers assigned. That helps if he has to provide emotional or spiritual support. Or even if to see if someone is acting strangely.
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First, God Bless You for what you do. Chaplains are essential in perserving combat strength, especially during times of loss. As line leaders, we often get focused on continuing the mission and are often without the necessary words of encouragement. We are stuffing our own feelings down and that limits our powers of empathy at times. A Chaplain at the Brigade level would have so many members that there would be too many unfamaliar faces. That ever present bond of a close knit family would be lacking. I hope this decision to remove Chaplains at the battalion level is never made. Big mistake.
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CH (MAJ) (Join to see)
Mark, thank you for your kind words. I couldn't agree with you more wholeheartedly about the relationship of battalion chaplains with the Soldiers. I have served in three different battalions, and have loved the relationships I've built with Soldiers. Some of the best relationships have been with CDRs and 1SGTs who shoulder so much of the burden. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
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CH (MAJ) (Join to see)
Sir - As a CSM I would be struck down and be condemned to the pits of hell for eternity if I said anything bad about the Chaplain.
With that said, I would really like to see Chaplains get more diverse training before being assigned to a battalion. I personally am not a real religious man but, I respect those that are and support Soldiers of all faiths or no faith. I think the Chaplain could be so much more if they had more behavioral health experience.
Unless the Chaplain is prior military it takes awhile for them to get their bearings. I have seen some Chaplains get flam basted by the battalion commander because they just didn't know any better. Myself, fully understanding that God outranks that LTC could see where the Chaplain was coming from but, that LTC did not (I had a good talk with the LTC and Chaplain separately after).
The Chaplain is such a great resource but a lot of Soldiers don't utilize them because of the religious moniker. They could provide so much more if they were "certified" in some sort of behavioral health counseling sans religion.
Hope that made sense and did not offend you. I have always gotten along great with my Chaplain and hopefully all the praying that they have done for my barbaric ways will pay off.
Sir - As a CSM I would be struck down and be condemned to the pits of hell for eternity if I said anything bad about the Chaplain.
With that said, I would really like to see Chaplains get more diverse training before being assigned to a battalion. I personally am not a real religious man but, I respect those that are and support Soldiers of all faiths or no faith. I think the Chaplain could be so much more if they had more behavioral health experience.
Unless the Chaplain is prior military it takes awhile for them to get their bearings. I have seen some Chaplains get flam basted by the battalion commander because they just didn't know any better. Myself, fully understanding that God outranks that LTC could see where the Chaplain was coming from but, that LTC did not (I had a good talk with the LTC and Chaplain separately after).
The Chaplain is such a great resource but a lot of Soldiers don't utilize them because of the religious moniker. They could provide so much more if they were "certified" in some sort of behavioral health counseling sans religion.
Hope that made sense and did not offend you. I have always gotten along great with my Chaplain and hopefully all the praying that they have done for my barbaric ways will pay off.
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CH (MAJ) (Join to see)
CSM, I could not have said it better myself and I agree wholeheartedly. I am a senior captain soon to be major, and asking myself how I can help make things better for those who follow behind. I believe that if we don't make ourselves more usable to the command by seeking certification and training, then we are only setting ourselves up for failure. I would love to see all chaplains become certified before going to their first Battalion. Thanks for your support!
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CH (MAJ) (Join to see)
There are a few Army courses that can help Chaplains understand better their role and how they can be a greater asset. Chaplain Basic Officer Leadership Course (CHBOLC) does not prepare Chaplains very well, IMHO.
Combat Medical Ministry: 5G-CMM-7S - The course focuses on many things that CHBOLC does not, but should. Some of the topics are "Conducting Ministry during Trauma", "Assisting with Grief and Loss", "Commander Advisement", "Military Ethics", "Assisting in a MASCAL", "Ramp Ceremony", and "Memorial Ceremony". Every 1st term Chaplain should attend this course. This 10 day course is challenging in forcing a Chapalin out of the "God Guy/Gal" role and into the "Religious Staff Officer" role.
Traumatic Event Management (TEM): 6I-F15/302-F33 - 5 day course focusing on care following a traumatic event. Chaplains and Military Psychologists are trained how to better help Soldiers process the event and begin care.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST): Civilian Course - The focus is helping those at high risk of suicide. Most Chaplains have great intentions, but they are not qualified to really help someone or train others to assist a person at risk of suicide. This 5 day course closes that gap. The Chaplain has to tools to reach out and help, and can provide effective and meaningful training to other Soldiers about suicide prevention and life assisting teachniques.
Just a couple of my thoughts. Parish work and 7 years in the military helped to get me started, but these three courses have actually helped to develop me to better address Soldier needs and integrate with the Staff.
The one thing missing is a course that walks a Chaplain through their roles in develping and maintaing an Religious Area Assessment (RAA) as directed in ATP 1-05.03. Having done a JRTC rotation, there is no training or support there in directing a Chapalin in their role as the Religious and Cultural Advisor to the Commander. I was left to my own devices. This is a huge hole in Chaplain training that needs to be addressed.
Combat Medical Ministry: 5G-CMM-7S - The course focuses on many things that CHBOLC does not, but should. Some of the topics are "Conducting Ministry during Trauma", "Assisting with Grief and Loss", "Commander Advisement", "Military Ethics", "Assisting in a MASCAL", "Ramp Ceremony", and "Memorial Ceremony". Every 1st term Chaplain should attend this course. This 10 day course is challenging in forcing a Chapalin out of the "God Guy/Gal" role and into the "Religious Staff Officer" role.
Traumatic Event Management (TEM): 6I-F15/302-F33 - 5 day course focusing on care following a traumatic event. Chaplains and Military Psychologists are trained how to better help Soldiers process the event and begin care.
Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST): Civilian Course - The focus is helping those at high risk of suicide. Most Chaplains have great intentions, but they are not qualified to really help someone or train others to assist a person at risk of suicide. This 5 day course closes that gap. The Chaplain has to tools to reach out and help, and can provide effective and meaningful training to other Soldiers about suicide prevention and life assisting teachniques.
Just a couple of my thoughts. Parish work and 7 years in the military helped to get me started, but these three courses have actually helped to develop me to better address Soldier needs and integrate with the Staff.
The one thing missing is a course that walks a Chaplain through their roles in develping and maintaing an Religious Area Assessment (RAA) as directed in ATP 1-05.03. Having done a JRTC rotation, there is no training or support there in directing a Chapalin in their role as the Religious and Cultural Advisor to the Commander. I was left to my own devices. This is a huge hole in Chaplain training that needs to be addressed.
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CH (MAJ) (Join to see)
That's good stuff right there sir, thanks for sharing. Chaplains have a hard job without a doubt, if your commander isn't a religious type it's tough, if your commander is super religious it's probably even tougher.
I think the Chaplain and CSM relationship is where you can make your money. Understand you are special staff and "advise" the commander but, that's what the CSM does too. The majority of your flock is the enlisted Soldier and the CSM knows that population the best.
If you do not have a good relationship with your CSM (regardless of religious beliefs) you will not be as successful in many of your duties supporting the commander/unit.
That's good stuff right there sir, thanks for sharing. Chaplains have a hard job without a doubt, if your commander isn't a religious type it's tough, if your commander is super religious it's probably even tougher.
I think the Chaplain and CSM relationship is where you can make your money. Understand you are special staff and "advise" the commander but, that's what the CSM does too. The majority of your flock is the enlisted Soldier and the CSM knows that population the best.
If you do not have a good relationship with your CSM (regardless of religious beliefs) you will not be as successful in many of your duties supporting the commander/unit.
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