When I picked up the phone, I heard: “This is the general. I need to speak to my chaplain.” “Sir, the command chaplain and the others are all TDY. I’m the only one here. Can I get in touch with them and call you back?” “Aren’t you my chaplain?” he demanded. Yes, sir. I am. …
Twenty-First Century Grasshoppers
A few days ago, a military chaplain got onto social media and ranted about the other political party, its candidates, and what they stand for. The day before that, a local pastor did the same thing. I’ve seen clergy from many different faith groups, and tons of non-clergy from a wide variety of backgrounds, taking …
God Continues to Speak Through Our Stories
The message below was sent via Messenger from a minister in Kansas who could relate to some of the stories in our book on Military Ministry. He gave us permission to share it. “I am a seminary student and was just selected to the Army Chaplain Candidate program. During my studies, we read your book …
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Flag Day & the Army’s 251st Birthday
On June 14, we celebrate not only Flag Day, but also the founding of the US Army. The Army's website proclaims, "Since 1775, America's Army has stood ready to protect the nation and its people and will fight to defend its values." The army (like the Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard) has full-timers …
Ukrainian Translation of Military Ministry
I found out recently that our book, Military Ministry, has been translated into Ukrainian to be used at a seminary in Kyiv, and they asked me to write a preface for the new translation. It is an honor, and frankly more than a little exciting, to realize our work is being used to prepare men …
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Embarrassing Rookie Mistake
When I was commissioned as a chaplain, I had a lot of ministerial experience in the church world. Plus, as the son of a good military chaplain, I had seen and heard many stories and principles about effectively navigating a military career. However, there were several specific practices that I hadn’t picked up on. Knowing …
What Exactly Does a Chaplain Do?
The government offers a straightforward answer in Title 10, which directs chaplains to conduct weekly worship services and perform burial rites. While accurate, this description is notably brief. In practice, each branch of the Armed Services expands upon these responsibilities in ways that reflect its unique culture and mission. When one considers the full scope …
Cooperation Without Compromise
It was 1980 when I drove my red 1960 Volkswagen Beetle from Wake Forest, North Carolina, to Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. I can still picture the moment I crossed the Delaware Memorial Bridge—the wind gusting so fiercely that I wondered if it might push my small car over the side and into the water. The …
Guest Blogger: Air Force Commissioned Officer Training
I had heard that Commissioned Officer Training was easier than the enlisted side’s Basic Military Training, or even the Officer Training School, because we chaplains were part of the professional corps. In fact, I heard some stories that included tales of playing golf that made COT seem like a club, complete with housekeeping and gourmet …
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Hoping to Hitch a Ride
On a training exercise with my medical unit in Northern Oregon, the troops were divided into two camps. Some of the personnel were at the Biak Training Center near Bend, while the others were more than two hundred miles away, at Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center over on the Pacific Coast, not too far …
