the importance of Chaplains

[Short Field]

A good Chaplain is a critical member of any ES mission that moves beyond a drive thorugh the hangers looking for a ELT.   

Our Chaplain is normally the only person who is checking to see how we are doing and holding up during the search.  This goes beyond just how we are doing mentally to include trying to look out for out creature comforts.  On the last major search, it was the Chaplain that took out the trash, made sure we had coffee for the coffee pot, paper towels, and toliet paper in the bathroom.  He also made it a point to have a few words with each person there just to check their sanity level.    I have found the Chaplain is also the best primary contact we can have with the searchees family during a search.   

My pastor takes care of my religous needs.  But I would hate to loose the personal support our CAP Chaplain brings to our missions.

[Gunner C]

I was a huge supporter of the CAP chaplaincy until the MER chaplain berated a friend of mine for being a Latter-day Saint, telling the crowd how horrible they are, that they aren't people worthy of salvation, that they only help their own members, and they believe in weird things (the list he gave was totally incorrect - read lies).  He let him know that Mormons didn't have the support of the chaplaincy and never would (strange, since a former national chaplain was LDS).  He was publicly humiliated by that bigot.

I'll never support the chaplains again.  I can't remember the last time I saw such institutional bigotry.  If you're a Mormon, a Catholic, or a Jew, (not to mention Buddhists, Muslims, or anything else) they really don't have much use for you.

[Major Lord]

Its great to have a Chaplain to run cover for you while you are running missions. The family members swarm them so that we field people can make our exit without being followed by family, media, etc. Even better when they show up in brass-heavy blue uniforms, so people think they are official spokesman!  There was a an article in a SAR magazine a few years back ( I wish I had kept it, maybe someone out there has it) It was titled "How to tell if you have a Redneck SAR team" or something along those lines.  The one I remember best was that you know you have a redneck SAR team if your chaplain talks to survivors of a multi-injury critical incident about Hell! I have not seen that in CAP.

Major Lord

[Short Field]

If a Chaplain can't provide support to all the members of CAP, they really should find another place to spend their time.  I got a briefing on what Chaplains do at a national event.  It only covered the importance of church services and not one single word was mentioned about other support.  The individual was not a CAP Chaplain as he did not meet the requirements.

Becoming a CAP Chaplain or a Moral Leadership Officer should not equate to proselytizing  a new group of people.  Thankfully I have never seen this take place.

I will call out Chaplain Lt Col Tom Miller by name as a shining example for other Chaplains to emulate.  He is also a MP, IC3, and Level V in professional development.   PCR is lucky to have him in the region.

[DogCollar]

I was a huge supporter of the CAP chaplaincy until the MER chaplain berated a friend of mine for being a Latter-day Saint, telling the crowd how horrible they are, that they aren't people worthy of salvation, that they only help their own members, and they believe in weird things (the list he gave was totally incorrect - read lies).  He let him know that Mormons didn't have the support of the chaplaincy and never would (strange, since a former national chaplain was LDS).  He was publicly humiliated by that bigot.

I'll never support the chaplains again.  I can't remember the last time I saw such institutional bigotry.  If you're a Mormon, a Catholic, or a Jew, (not to mention Buddhists, Muslims, or anything else) they really don't have much use for you.

I know that we have conversed about this before.  The chaplain you speak of was extrordinarily out of line and did not reflect CAP Chaplain Corps policy.  He should have been 2b'd from the Chaplain Corps and from CAP.  As you report the incident it is a gross violation of ethics and the Chaplains' Code of Conduct.

No doubt there are those chaplains that shouldn't be serving.  However, not all chaplains behave as badly as this individual did.  I take pluralism seriously.  I would never denigrate another members faith or lack of faith.  That is completely against what I believe with every fiber of my being.  The mission of the Chaplains Corps is one of support for the members formed in teams and as individuals.  Every Chaplain must be reminded that they are primarily called to be servants to all.  End of sermon.

[billford1]

I was a TAC Officer at a CAP Encampment in SC in 2003. I know that some of my Senior Member colleagues didn't place much value in the Chaplain Program for CAP or the Military. I spent time with the Chaplain who was a VietNam Veteran who had served over 20 years in the US Army and had a previous assignment with the 101st AirBorne Div. Having been a Cadet in a Military Academy for 2 and 1/2 years I have insight into Cadet life. Having been an Army Reservist in the past I'm familiar with how stressful Military Life can be. What I saw in the 2003 Summer Encampment was not surprising as many young Cadets were experiencing personal problems that they couldn't cope with on their own. What I witnessed was that the Chaplain made a selfless contribution by being available to spend time with troubled Cadets and listen to them. Almost all of those he met with were helped by the time they spent with their Chaplain. They were able to adapt to the situation they were in and complete the Encampment successfully. If you think that Chaplains are of no worth well that's a reflection of where you are right now in your Journey in this Life. The Air Force Leadership still sees value in the role of Chaplains. I would just accept that Chaplains have a role to play in the USAF and CAP.

[AirDX]

There may however be an unseen outcome that could result in electric shock

Then you'd REALLY need a chaplain. 

[billford1]

There may however be an unseen outcome that could result in electric shock

Then you'd REALLY need a chaplain. 

Sorry for the gaff. I pasted something in from another forum by accident. If I could talk to a Chaplain right now I would ask him to Pray for me as I'm spending way more time than usual having fun on CAP Talk while out on sick leave.

[Chappie]

If a Chaplain can't provide support to all the members of CAP, they really should find another place to spend their time.  I got a briefing on what Chaplains do at a national event.  It only covered the importance of church services and not one single word was mentioned about other support.  The individual was not a CAP Chaplain as he did not meet the requirements.

Becoming a CAP Chaplain or a Moral Leadership Officer should not equate to proselytizing  a new group of people.  Thankfully I have never seen this take place.

I will call out Chaplain Lt Col Tom Miller by name as a shining example for other Chaplains to emulate.  He is also a MP, IC3, and Level V in professional development.   PCR is lucky to have him in the region.

Rest assured that Chaplains do more than just provide church services  at CAP events

Couldn't agree more that Chaplains/CDIs should not engage in proselyting.  Character Development sessions are just that...not a time to rehash or rehearse a sermon, Sunday School lesson, or a devotional thought.  There is a reason why the CAPP 265-2 "Flight Time: Values for Living" has been developed and released. 

While Chaplains are free to speak of their faith in the conduct of CAP religious services or in a personal discussion with a CAP member (when that topic has been brought up by the member and it is a welcomed response).  However in a squadron, group, wing, region or national meeting where attendance of members is mandated, that is not the forum.

Chaplain Lt Col Tom Miller is definitely one of the best examples of what a CAP Chaplain should be.  I count it a privilege to have served with him on missions, on CCRSC staffs...and to call him a friend as well as a fellow colleague in service.

[Chappie]

I was a huge supporter of the CAP chaplaincy until the MER chaplain berated a friend of mine for being a Latter-day Saint, telling the crowd how horrible they are, that they aren't people worthy of salvation, that they only help their own members, and they believe in weird things (the list he gave was totally incorrect - read lies).  He let him know that Mormons didn't have the support of the chaplaincy and never would (strange, since a former national chaplain was LDS).  He was publicly humiliated by that bigot.

I'll never support the chaplains again.  I can't remember the last time I saw such institutional bigotry.  If you're a Mormon, a Catholic, or a Jew, (not to mention Buddhists, Muslims, or anything else) they really don't have much use for you.

I know that we have conversed about this before.  The chaplain you speak of was extrordinarily out of line and did not reflect CAP Chaplain Corps policy.  He should have been 2b'd from the Chaplain Corps and from CAP.  As you report the incident it is a gross violation of ethics and the Chaplains' Code of Conduct.

No doubt there are those chaplains that shouldn't be serving.  However, not all chaplains behave as badly as this individual did.  I take pluralism seriously.  I would never denigrate another members faith or lack of faith.  That is completely against what I believe with every fiber of my being.  The mission of the Chaplains Corps is one of support for the members formed in teams and as individuals.  Every Chaplain must be reminded that they are primarily called to be servants to all.  End of sermon.

Could not have said it better myself....Amen, Chaplain Boldin.

[Lt Oliv]

I was a huge supporter of the CAP chaplaincy until the MER chaplain berated a friend of mine for being a Latter-day Saint, telling the crowd how horrible they are, that they aren't people worthy of salvation, that they only help their own members, and they believe in weird things (the list he gave was totally incorrect - read lies).  He let him know that Mormons didn't have the support of the chaplaincy and never would (strange, since a former national chaplain was LDS).  He was publicly humiliated by that bigot.

I'll never support the chaplains again.  I can't remember the last time I saw such institutional bigotry.  If you're a Mormon, a Catholic, or a Jew, (not to mention Buddhists, Muslims, or anything else) they really don't have much use for you.

So you'll respond to bigotry by being bigoted toward Chaplains? Great approach. 

What about the Catholic Chaplains who don't proselytize? What about the Jewish Chaplains who are there to build inter-faith bridges? To heck with all of them, because you met a bad chaplain?

I really hope you understand the sheer hypocrisy of your statement in that one person allowed you to form a prejudice against an entire group. 

Are there people who have no business as Chaplains? Absolutely.  There are ministers who belong to churches which teach that no one outside of their own church walls is entitled to salvation.  These are the ministers who sign on with CAP (or any other organization) because they look at it as an opportunity to win converts.

But for the rest, it is an opportunity to help their community.  They offer a specialized skill that comes with many years of study.  Add CISM training to the mix, and they are really great.  When I consider that my wife had 5 years of seminary AFTER 4 years of undergraduate study, balances a congregation and other inter-faith activities yet still has time to function as a Group Chaplain, I am amazed at the dedication.  Then, to see someone say that they will "never support the Chaplains again" because of one person they met once before, it is truly sickening and disheartening.