I hate to admit it but very few people understand the role of a military chaplain. According to DoD directives, the job of a chaplain is to Facilitate for Others, Provide for One’s Own (faith group), Advise the Command and Care for All. That may sound kind of complicated, but it really boils down to two primary tasks. Chaplains exist to serve the spiritual well-being of the fleet (personnel) and act as the moral and ethical adviser to the Command. In these, we must demonstrate servant-leadership in an unprecedented manner– operating both within and outside the military chain and serving both the leaders and the enlisted, equally. The goal, then, is to maintain a dynamic ‘balance’ in the midst of an institution that exists in chaos.Bearing the title of soldier, sailor, or Marine demands an unbelievable lifestyle, and not just in times of war. Life as a service member is one of constant ‘service’ and being told what to do. This is, of course, exhausting, and when an opportunity for free choice arises, some service member don’t always know how to handle the freedom. Many rapidly go ‘buck wild’ into debt, develop relationship issues, and/or substance abuse. It’s sad, and the problems are not unique to only junior enlisted.
Again, the privileged role of a chaplain is one of moral and spiritual support/advisement. When our service members get into trouble, or fear that they may get into trouble, the chaplain is the only ‘safe place’ they can go. Operating outside the direct ‘chain of command,’ we are the only ones who can offer advice and counseling without the fear of retribution. It is an incredible privilege, and one that no one should take lightly.
The deeper I walk down this path, the more humility I must embrace.
