Recruiting a Chaplain

[Eclipse]

Yes, the element is required, however there is no requirement that it be presented by clergy, nor should there ever be.

[Chappie]

...which is not to everyone's taste.

Right on. When I've been asking around my network, I've been stressing the point about Chaplains needing to be able to work with those of all faiths and those with none. It takes a special kind of person to be a Chaplain properly.

That it does.   Just because one serves or has served as a pastor/priest/rabbi/ or other title in a local congregation does not necessarily translate in being a chaplan.  One of the responsibilities of a chaplain is be a defender and protector of each person's First Amendment's rights. 

[Chappie]

What need do CDI's fulfill?

I think the main advantage to having this as a Specialty Track is training. I've seen some pretty bad CD sessions. I think, done correctly, it's a valuable part of the cadet program. Having people dedicated to doing the job and giving them some good training goes a long way.

Amen to that!!!   In addition, providing approval curriculum protects all parties as well as providing standardized character development training.

[Walkman]

Yes, the element is required, however there is no requirement that it be presented by clergy, nor should there ever be.

I agree with you there. I thought you were going in a different direction. I like the new proposal the Chappie outlined so we can open up the track to more people.

[dogboy]

...which is not to everyone's taste.

Right on. When I've been asking around my network, I've been stressing the point about Chaplains needing to be able to work with those of all faiths and those with none. It takes a special kind of person to be a Chaplain properly.

That it does.   Just because one serves or has served as a pastor/priest/rabbi/ or other title in a local congregation does not necessarily translate in being a chaplan.  One of the responsibilities of a chaplain is be a defender and protector of each person's First Amendment's rights.

Exactly and far better phrased than my original post. Of course an Evangelical Christian could be excellent chaplain if he respects the faiths or lack of a faith of others.

[a2capt]

Such as?

Repeat all between "I went over to the sergeant" and "Kid, we don't like your kind, and we're gonna send you fingerprints off to Washington.".

[Майор Хаткевич]

I've always had my doubts about "Moral Leadership" and "Character Development". Best left up to the family where it belongs.

No CAP ML/CD sessions changed my thoughts/beliefs/opinions. By the time we get people into these discussions opinions are ingrained based on upbringing and experience.

[Flying Pig]

Yeah, if you have a family.

^Then you take my unit where we had kids who lived in pretty tough Hispanic gang neighborhoods who parents dropped them off and left.  No dads, coming to CAP bringing their "culture" to CAP where mad-dogging someone you didnt like is considered acceptable, even senior members.  Challenging someone to fight if they raised their voice at you.  We had 3 cadets that were there when I was the CC who were about one more step away from being booted.  With the help of the Chaplain, a Deputy Commander who was a former Oakland school teacher each one of those cadets are now getting ready to enlist, have graduated HS and one is applying to college ROTC.  Were we having church services during meeting nights?  No, but just because religion or the concept of a God has no place in someones life, doesnt mean that it cant have a profound impact on someone else.  Ive never, in my 20+ yrs in CAP ever seen the concept of a Chaplaincy ruin a program.  By the time you get cadets that are 13-14 yrs old, I would be pretty hard pressed to say that many of them have anything ingrained.  I can point to....now that I think about it, at least 4 cadets who are now out of HS and moving on with their lives that I can guarantee you would not have made it without CAP.  And I know the Chaplains played a role in each of them.  So character is a learned behavior.  Their "families" taught them how to front people off and challenge people to fight.  CAP taught them that it wasnt acceptable and that there was a different road.  Was the Chaplain 100% responsible?  No.  But he definitely played a role. 

We can argue all day whether or not religion has a place in CD (not counter drug )  But I think anyone here would be hard pressed to find any real incidents of where is been a bad idea.

[AngelWings]

Chaplains are SO MUCH more than religous figures in the sense that CAP uses them. They're simply human beings you could trust and talk to mano-a-mano. It's pretty simple, really. I am a protestant, and proud of it. I've had serious talks WITHOUT religous being a factor with a catholic chaplain. They're there to support us much more than it seems. I have an added level of respect for chaplains because they are decent human beings above anything else.

[SarDragon]

While not a regular church attendee, I've been to a large variety of services here and there. One constant in most of the denominations I've encountered is a set of values. CAP has a set of core values that we try to adhere to, and the Character Development (CD) folks can add a real world relevance and expansion on them. Discussing ethical situations seems like a good way to do this.

As long as a Chaplain isn't imparting a specific religious flavour to the CD sessions, something I have encountered, I have no issues with the program.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Yeah, if you have a family.

^Then you take my unit where we had kids who lived in pretty tough Hispanic gang neighborhoods who parents dropped them off and left.  No dads, coming to CAP bringing their "culture" to CAP where mad-dogging someone you didnt like is considered acceptable, even senior members.  Challenging someone to fight if they raised their voice at you.  We had 3 cadets that were there when I was the CC who were about one more step away from being booted.  With the help of the Chaplain, a Deputy Commander who was a former Oakland school teacher each one of those cadets are now getting ready to enlist, have graduated HS and one is applying to college ROTC.  Were we having church services during meeting nights?  No, but just because religion or the concept of a God has no place in someones life, doesnt mean that it cant have a profound impact on someone else.  Ive never, in my 20+ yrs in CAP ever seen the concept of a Chaplaincy ruin a program.  By the time you get cadets that are 13-14 yrs old, I would be pretty hard pressed to say that many of them have anything ingrained.  I can point to....now that I think about it, at least 4 cadets who are now out of HS and moving on with their lives that I can guarantee you would not have made it without CAP.  And I know the Chaplains played a role in each of them.  So character is a learned behavior.  Their "families" taught them how to front people off and challenge people to fight.  CAP taught them that it wasnt acceptable and that there was a different road.  Was the Chaplain 100% responsible?  No.  But he definitely played a role. 

We can argue all day whether or not religion has a place in CD (not counter drug )  But I think anyone here would be hard pressed to find any real incidents of where is been a bad idea.

And for every extreme on your side, I can think of three on the other side. CAP is NOT tasked with morality education. 2 hours a week won't do it.

[Майор Хаткевич]

Chaplains are SO MUCH more than religous figures in the sense that CAP uses them. They're simply human beings you could trust and talk to mano-a-mano. It's pretty simple, really. I am a protestant, and proud of it. I've had serious talks WITHOUT religous being a factor with a catholic chaplain. They're there to support us much more than it seems. I have an added level of respect for chaplains because they are decent human beings above anything else.

I can say that about pretty much most of the SMs I encountered as a cadet. In fact, just knowing the chaplains I did, and the fact that they did bring up god constantly meant that I avoided them like the plague and reached out to "plain" SMs who could actually help without putting everything into a sermon.

[Walkman]

I've always had my doubts about "Moral Leadership" and "Character Development". Best left up to the family where it belongs.

No CAP ML/CD sessions changed my thoughts/beliefs/opinions. By the time we get people into these discussions opinions are ingrained based on upbringing and experience.

I agree that those are things that should be taught primarily at home. When I do a CD session, I try to take the scenarios and have the cadets think through their responses and ideas through the lens of their upbringing personal code of ethics. I stress that these discussions are to help them develop a more firm foundation of decision making within their personal beliefs by having them encounter situations and think through their reactions, so when issues like this come up later in life there's already something to go from.

The reason I take this approach is that this is what I'd want for my kids. We have certain beliefs as a family, and we work hard as parents to continually nurture and develop those in our children. But we're not together 24/7. So if I have a child that's a cadet, the CD program is a way to give them another opportunity to have the things I teach them at home reinforced in a way.

I really try hard to not inject any leading philosophy into the classes and guide the discussion in ways that that allow for more personal interpretations. I don't see how it's a bad thing when done properly.

[Walkman]

I can say that about pretty much most of the SMs I encountered as a cadet. In fact, just knowing the chaplains I did, and the fact that they did bring up god constantly meant that I avoided them like the plague and reached out to "plain" SMs who could actually help without putting everything into a sermon.

I'm sorry you've had poor experiences as a cadet in this. This is precisely the reason I was seeking some guidance on recruiting. Our CC would like a Chaplain. I'm the Recruiting Officer, so I'm working on it. But I can truly relate to those that have felt religious persecution, so I don't want to just call down the list of churches in the phone book and end up grabbing the first one that happens to pick up. The right person doing the job as it is intended benefits the unit. The wrong person who tries to turn the position as their own personal ministry (whatever the faith) is a detriment.

[Private Investigator]

I would recruit my minister as a Chaplain first. If he was not interested I would ask the other members of the Squadron to speak to their clergy. You could also see if another CAP Squadron has a Chaplain and could provide support. I know one Chaplain that goes to four different Squadrons when needed.

Good luck 

[Cool Mace]

Have you checked to see if there's a Chaplain on a base near you?