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On 3/14/2008 4:35:04 PM Chaplain David Colwell, U.S. Africa Command chaplain wrote
I am Chaplain David Colwell, the U.S. AFRICOM chaplain. I would like to take this opportunity to briefly talk about the military chaplaincy.
A chaplain is a representative of a religious organization. The man or woman who becomes a chaplain is a minister, Imam, Rabbi, priest or representative of a recognized religion. Individuals that join the military do so in order to provide worship services and counseling for military members and their families. Over time, and as one gets more experienced, chaplains are often involved in teaching classes, dialoging with civilian religious leaders and training other chaplains. The U.S. military chaplaincy includes Catholic priests, Orthodox priests, Episcopal priests, Protestant ministers, Muslim Imams, and Jewish Rabbis that work together cooperatively for the purpose of meeting the religious needs of military service members. The U.S. military chaplaincy started in 1775 and at that time was composed mostly of Protestant ministers. Over time and as the U.S. population changed, the composition of the chaplaincy changed to reflect the many faiths that are practiced by our service members. Today it is possible to be in a room of ten chaplains none of whom are the exact same faith. However, instead of this being a source of friction it is often be a source of strength and vitality.
The purpose of mentioning this is to say that I and my fellow military chaplains have had to grow in mutual understanding in order to work together. Instead of focusing on our theological differences, which are very real, we have had to find the points of agreement to insure that the military members receive the appropriate spiritual care. Some might use the term toleration to describe this. But a better description would be to practice respect and appreciation for the variety of religious expressions we encounter.
One of my tasks as the AFRICOM chaplain is to help assist other countrys militaries, when asked to do so, to develop chaplaincies of their own. Another objective is to reach out to national and local religious leaders in an effort to establish a dialog. This dialog is for the purpose of creating the opportunity for mutual understanding along lines of religion.
On 1/14/2009 3:26:57 PM Chaplain Major Ike Eweama in US Army Ft Jackson SC wrote Emily, Chaplain Colwell who is one of the senior Chaplains in the Corp is adequately taken care of spiritually. The United States Army Chaplaincy Corp has a well developed program called Care for the Care Giver. We have the mentoring program where every Chaplain even the senior ones is encouraged to have a mentor and or a Spiritual Director. The person could be any clergy of your choice even from denominations that are different from yours. There are also myriads of training opportunities to enhance a Chaplain's spiritual wellbeing. We have the Spiritual Resiliency Reintegration Training which to me is unequalled anywhere. The Chaplaincy operates in a very pluralistic and diverse melieu in support of soldier's right to freely practice their religion. Military Chaplaincy is one of the best fulfilling arenas to practice one's call to help others find meaning and purpose in their lives and in their God.
On 6/19/2008 4:54:45 AM nikomo in salem,massachusetts.01970 wrote as a member mentor of a community working to find commonality vs contention, one all are well served well led by going the extra degree of toleration to lead by listening. get out front, stay atuned to the nuances, be interested. paradigm shift shift
On 4/4/2008 1:35:05 AM Emily in Brooklyn, NY wrote Dear Chaplain Colvell,
You take care of so many people spiritually. Who takes care of you?
God bless, Emily
On 3/25/2008 1:29:56 AM Michael in Pueblo, CO wrote There are a couple of things I've been curious about for a while now 1. What are the requirements for a given religion to be able to send its clergy to the Chaplain's Corps? 2. What kind of cooperation is needed between Chaplains and mental health professionals?
On 3/19/2008 2:00:17 AM MICKEY in NY wrote DEAR CHAPLAIN WHAT EXACTLY IS YOUR RELIGION?
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