The Relevance of the Chaplain to CAP...

[Nomex Maximus]

The first time I went to a CAP meeting, the squadron that I was about to join had a chaplain. He was an area protestant pastor and a pilot as well. As the meeting started, the squadron commander asked the chaplain to give an opening invocation. I thought, to myself that this seems a bit odd as CAP is a government organization and therefore should be religiously neutral. Why then this invocation to God and Christ?

Now, for those of you who don't know, I am myself a Christian and in fact I once got halfway through a Master of Divinity degree at a conservative Presbyterian seminary before a Baptist seminary woman corrupted me and, ...well I have two daughters now. But that's another story. The point is that I myself am not opposed to having Chaplains do what they do, but I am wondering how CAP reconciles this in this day and age of radical secularism.

I have heard the line of reasoning here on Captalk that the chaplain is here to teach good decision making and not to preach the gospel. But that they do this - teach "good" decisionmaking -  somehow apart from the gospel... which sort of seems to eviscerate them of their one true power - the gospel.

And so a prospective member comes to a meeting of a government organized volunteer service and is presented with Christian religious language and prayers delivered by a minister. How does that affect the new member who may not be a Christian? And if the chaplain is told that he or she cannot teach the gospel, then what real good is he going to do? Empty advice to do good / think good / be good?  Seems like quite a contradiction going on here - CAP wants the good moral values and development that the Chaplain could bring, but cannot allow him to acknowledge the power that would truly enable those values and morals... or if it does, then it risks offense to those members who do not believe as the Chaplain does...

...so then what is the proper place, work and relevance of the Chaplain in officially secular CAP? 

--NM


 

[JohnKachenmeister]

The role of the chaplain in CAP and in the military is the same.  To provide for the spiritual guidance and comfort of the troops.  The chaplain is a valuable staff officer who can advise the commander on morale issues, and help the commander deal with personal probems of troops that might have an effect on the mission.

We DO designate Christian, Jewish, and most recently Muslim and Wiccan chaplains, but they are ALL trained in the rites and sensitivities of religions other than their own.  (Another big plus, when my company was mobilized for the First Gulf War, I had the chaplain instruct me and the troops in exactly what the difference was between a Sunni and a Shiite.  Near as I can figure, its like the difference between New York and New Jersey... important only to the people who live there.)

It is not inappropriate for a Christian chaplain to offer a prayer "In Jesus' name."   

[JayT]

(Another big plus, when my company was mobilized for the First Gulf War, I had the chaplain instruct me and the troops in exactly what the difference was between a Sunni and a Shiite.  Near as I can figure, its like the difference between New York and New Jersey... important only to the people who live there.)
 

You mean, life exists outside of New York?

[jeders]

I think I'll give my response here. Keep in mind though, I am a devout atheist.

I personally think that we should not have chaplains giving invocations at the beginning of anything, unless it is made optional. For example, when I did my basic encampment, there was a Catholic service and a general protestant service, but anyone who did not wish to attend did not have to. As long as when the invocation was done they said something along the lines of, "those that wish to participate," then it's fine.

Beyond that, I have no problem with chaplains teaching the gospel. That's what chaplains are there for.

[MIKE]

It is not inappropriate for a Christian chaplain to offer a prayer "In Jesus' name."

Not really non-denominational now is it?  This is something I think some CAP chaplains tend to have difficulty with.

Serving as a counselor and adviser is fine, as is providing for the worship needs for those who desire to participate, in the appropriate setting... but  mostly things just end up being awkward for everybody because the chaplain forgot he or she was in fact a chaplain.

[Short Field]

this seems a bit odd as CAP is a government organization

But not that odd for a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation.  

While the atheists will disagree, it is always appropriate to began an endeavor by asking help from someone greather than we are.  A good chaplain keeps it non-denominational.  

Beyond that, I have no problem with chaplains teaching the gospel. That's what chaplains are there for.

Actually they are there to attend to our spiritual needs - plus play a large role in dealing with the family members of the people we are searching for.  They are not there to evangelize for their particular sect.

[RplnXbrnt]

The role of the chaplain in CAP and in the military is the same.  To provide for the spiritual guidance and comfort of the troops.  The chaplain is a valuable staff officer who can advise the commander on morale issues, and help the commander deal with personal probems of troops that might have an effect on the mission.

We DO designate Christian, Jewish, and most recently Muslim and Wiccan chaplains, but they are ALL trained in the rites and sensitivities of religions other than their own.  (Another big plus, when my company was mobilized for the First Gulf War, I had the chaplain instruct me and the troops in exactly what the difference was between a Sunni and a Shiite.  Near as I can figure, its like the difference between New York and New Jersey... important only to the people who live there.)

It is not inappropriate for a Christian chaplain to offer a prayer "In Jesus' name."   

This is mostly correct, except for the last bit -- strictly speaking, Chaplains acting as Chaplains must remain non-denominational: not offering a prayer "In Jesus' name," for example. On the other hand, if the Chaplain is offering a religious service, as a religious figure -- such as Morning Mass on a Sunday -- then the Chaplain is not acting as a Chaplain.

More to the point:

The first time I went to a CAP meeting, the squadron that I was about to join had a chaplain. He was an area protestant pastor and a pilot as well. As the meeting started, the squadron commander asked the chaplain to give an opening invocation. I thought, to myself that this seems a bit odd as CAP is a government organization and therefore should be religiously neutral. Why then this invocation to God and Christ?

God: fine. Christ: that's a no-no. CAP is not really a secular entity, as much as much of what we say and do is secular. That being said, there is still no place for and specific religion in CAP -- insofar as it is in CAP. This does not mean, however, that CAP has no business providing its members with opportunities to worship -- quite to the contrary.

Now, for those of you who don't know, I am myself a Christian and in fact I once got halfway through a Master of Divinity degree at a conservative Presbyterian seminary before a Baptist seminary woman corrupted me and, ...well I have two daughters now. But that's another story. The point is that I myself am not opposed to having Chaplains do what they do, but I am wondering how CAP reconciles this in this day and age of radical secularism.

Radical? Be careful with that word. Be very, very careful with that word.

I have heard the line of reasoning here on Captalk that the chaplain is here to teach good decision making and not to preach the gospel. But that they do this - teach "good" decisionmaking -  somehow apart from the gospel... which sort of seems to eviscerate them of their one true power - the gospel.

So . . . because I don't subscribe to any sort of gospel of any kind . . . I don't know how to make good decisions? That's ignorant at best, bigoted at worst, and more than likely ludicrous.

And so a prospective member comes to a meeting of a government organized volunteer service and is presented with Christian religious language and prayers delivered by a minister. How does that affect the new member who may not be a Christian? And if the chaplain is told that he or she cannot teach the gospel, then what real good is he going to do? Empty advice to do good / think good / be good?  Seems like quite a contradiction going on here - CAP wants the good moral values and development that the Chaplain could bring, but cannot allow him to acknowledge the power that would truly enable those values and morals... or if it does, then it risks offense to those members who do not believe as the Chaplain does...

...so then what is the proper place, work and relevance of the Chaplain in officially secular CAP?

Well, certainly, there should not be any Christian religious language, but there isn't, strictly speaking, any problem with something like a benediction. And as for not being able to teach the gospel, as mentioned, the place of the Chaplain is to advise the commander and to administer the ML (soon to be CD) program for cadets. Claiming that "advice to do good / think good / be good" without employing the gospel is "empty" is short-sighted and narrow-minded, and completely ignores some of the great advancements of moral philosophy coming from secular sources and/or methodologies: Aristotle, Immanuel Kant, Jeremy Bentham and John Stuart Mill, the Existentialists, etc.

There is a strong implication here that there is no such thing as secular ethics, and that suggestion is trite and uninformed.

[Chaplaindon]

Friends

The role of the chaplain in CAP (likewise in the military) has several distinct facets (or foci).

1.  We provide for the religious needs of personnel insofar as possible (e.g. worship services, sacraments and rites --c.f. marriage, funerals-- prayers and so forth). What some might car "priestly" functions. These religious services are provided in BOTH a faith tradition/denominational-specific setting and in a generalized ecumenical/plural setting ... I represent my own faith tradition but also agree to serve without prejudice other faiths (and even be a caring chaplain insofar as possible to atheists).

2.  We have a "religious accommodation" role; working to ensure that commanders and ICs do not neglect to accommodate (again, insofar as possible) the religious needs of their personnel. Also to ensure free practice of one's religion without scorn or intimidation from others (or command). That accommodation role was apparently GROSSLY overlooked at the USAF Academy a few years ago and the USAF was embarrassed by it. The oversight was brought to light by a chaplain.

3.  We serve as ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENTIAL counselors (except as certain laws require disclosure of abuse, that is) to members something that can have a profoundly positive effect on morale. Imagine being able to "vent" one's frustration or dissatisfaction (or concerns, etc) to another in CAP without ANY fear of that confidence being breached. In light of much apparent paranoia (as exemplified by CAPTalk postings in the last couple of years) this could be a tremendous service to CAP.

4.  We serve as crisis support professionals for both CAP personnel and those affected by events to which CAP responds whether major disasters or missing aircraft searches, to line of duty deaths and so forth.

5.  Now ONE of our roles in CAP is essentially a secular one. That being Moral Leadership leader. ML/CD's are not religious events, they are secular discussions of morals/ethics guided by the person in a unit most likely to have graduate academic training in ethics/morals ... the chaplain.  And religious beliefs/traditions CAN offer positive/useful moral guidance ... they can also do the opposite.

As far as Christian chaplains praying in the Name of Jesus, there are times when one CAN and when one CANNOT.

One CAN when in a Christian worship service, or devotional or Sunday School class (outside of a pluralistic religious setting or a secular setting; e.g. a pre-SAREX briefing).

One cannot do so in a secular or pluralistic setting. That makes sense. As a Christian, I would be unhappy/offended if the senior-ranking chaplain at a SAREX/SAREVAL (in this hypothetical case, that chaplain being a Muslim Imam) evoked the name of the Prophet Muhammad in his prayer.

Nomex posited, "Seems like quite a contradiction going on here - CAP wants the good moral values and development that the Chaplain could bring, but cannot allow him to acknowledge the power that would truly enable those values and morals... or if it does, then it risks offense to those members who do not believe as the Chaplain does."

It may look contradictory but it's really about practicing one's "situational awareness." Chaplains, like all CAP members, need to remember to practice their faith (as they understand/believe their faith and its traditions to be) in the proper situation. We need to recognize that we live in a pluralistic world and Nation and that not everybody believes as we, or I, do and that our faith is not a club to beat others into submission with.

Contrary to Nomex' comments, Not only DOES CAP "allow [me] to acknowledge the power that would truly enable those values and morals" ... I acknowledge my faith and its power all the time (per CAPM 39-1) ... my chaplain's badge in fact (worn -by mandate- very obviously on my uniform) is a cross and leaves little ambiguity as to my Christian faith. Likewise a Rabbi or Imam would be likewise obviously acknowledging their faith each time they donned their uniform too.

As to the relevance question ... chaplains are relevant to CAP as to the military ... IMHO.

[RiverAux]

so then what is the proper place, work and relevance of the Chaplain in officially secular CAP? 

Personally, I don't think we need them.   Somehow the Boy Scout troop I was in got along without them so I don't think they are necessary for helping our cadets develop into fine young men and women. 

There is some argument that can be made for having them to potentially assist family members during searches, but I think that role should be performed by their own pastor if they need religious assistance. 

Even though the CISM program is being championed by the chaplains in CAP I think that can be done as a secular program.

That being said, there is a long tradition of having them in CAP and in the military so I've decided to accept it along with some other traditions I don't like so as to not potentially cause trouble relating to other traditions that I do like. 

[Chaplaindon]

"Even though the CISM program is being championed by the chaplains in CAP I think that can be done as a secular program."

Although chaplains are invited/encouraged to particpate in the CAP CISM program as either a peer CIST member or as a mental health professional, CISM is a SECULAR program in CAP. Always has been and I expect it always will be.

Stress (and critical incident stress) is not a problem unique to the religious.

[Chaplaindon]

"Even though the CISM program is being championed by the chaplains in CAP I think that can be done as a secular program."

Although chaplains are invited/encouraged to particpate in the CAP CISM program as either a peer CIST member or as a mental health professional, CISM is a SECULAR program in CAP. Always has been and I expect it always will be.

Stress (and critical incident stress) is not a problem unique to the religious.

To be more distinct, CAP CISM is an OPERATIONS program NOT a chaplaincy program.

[Eclipse]

3.  We serve as ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENTIAL counselors (except as certain laws require disclosure of abuse, that is) to members something that can have a profoundly positive effect on morale. Imagine being able to "vent" one's frustration or dissatisfaction (or concerns, etc) to another in CAP without ANY fear of that confidence being breached. In light of much apparent paranoia (as exemplified by CAPTalk postings in the last couple of years) this could be a tremendous service to CAP.

I disagree on this if the belief is that a Chaplain's confidentiality is restricted only to laws.

CAP Regulations do not protect a Chaplain, or any other senior member from immediately reporting violations of regulations, especially those which involving Cadet protection.

I have had personal experience with Chaplains who failed to report serious CPT issues within their units, only to be corrected on their understanding when the situation eventually washed itself out.

If their is a regulation or policy which grants a confessional-type relationship to a CAP Chaplain, please cite it here.

[Chaplaindon]

3.  We serve as ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENTIAL counselors (except as certain laws require disclosure of abuse, that is) to members something that can have a profoundly positive effect on morale. Imagine being able to "vent" one's frustration or dissatisfaction (or concerns, etc) to another in CAP without ANY fear of that confidence being breached. In light of much apparent paranoia (as exemplified by CAPTalk postings in the last couple of years) this could be a tremendous service to CAP.

I disagree on this if the belief is that a Chaplain's confidentiality is restricted only to laws.

CAP Regulations do not protect a Chaplain, or any other senior member from immediately reporting violations of regulations, especially those which involving Cadet protection.

I have had personal experience with Chaplains who failed to report serious CPT issues within their units, only to be corrected on their understanding when the situation eventually washed itself out.

If their is a regulation or policy which grants a confessional-type relationship to a CAP Chaplain, please cite it here.

CAPR 265-1 [09 May 2007], Section D, 17 (page 10). Again this does not apply universally. Abuse (child and elder) allegations is a notable exception in, I believe, every state.

Chaplains Do NOT have to "immediately [report] violations of (CAP?) regulations, especially those which involving Cadet protection."

For example, if a pilot "confesses" to me that he exceeded the crosswind component limits of CAPR 60-1 during a "get-home-itis" landing in a CAP aircraft, I am MOST CERTAINLY NOT under any moral or legal (or CAPR) mandate to disclose it to CAP authorities.

In fact, I am --under CAPR 265-1-- NOT TO disclose it.

In every (?) state we must disclose to legal authorities (e.g. child protective services, not simply CAP NHQ) child abuse suspcions as any other adult must do.

[Nomex Maximus]

More to the point:

The first time I went to a CAP meeting, the squadron that I was about to join had a chaplain. He was an area protestant pastor and a pilot as well. As the meeting started, the squadron commander asked the chaplain to give an opening invocation. I thought, to myself that this seems a bit odd as CAP is a government organization and therefore should be religiously neutral. Why then this invocation to God and Christ?

God: fine. Christ: that's a no-no. CAP is not really a secular entity, as much as much of what we say and do is secular. That being said, there is still no place for and specific religion in CAP -- insofar as it is in CAP. This does not mean, however, that CAP has no business providing its members with opportunities to worship -- quite to the contrary.

. . .but I am wondering how CAP reconciles this in this day and age of radical secularism.

Radical? Be careful with that word. Be very, very careful with that word.

Yes, radical. This is an age of extreme political correctness in America and Christ is, as you say, a "no-no".  There was a recent TV series that my wife sometimes subjected me to - "Seventh Heaven" - which was a show about the life of a protestant minister and his family. What always fascinated me about that show was how the whole point of the show was that it was about the life of a minister but how every possible reference to Christ was avoided (and what could be more important to the life of a protestant minister than Christ?) and how they never showed a cross  - not even when the show would have scenes inside a church (!)

Radical? Yes, when you consider that in this day and age we even have protracted debates and court cases about whether or not we can still have "In God We Trust" on our money or government buildings - we aren't even talking about Christ here, even the mention of "God" is considered by some to be an offensive attack on their religious freedom.

So then you see the conflict - Chaplain Don there for example, is actively recruited by CAP to come and be a "spiritual adviser", a "counselor" to give counsel in time of crisis and whenever a CAP member needs to talk and there he is with a cross upon the collar of his Civil Air Patrol uniform. How do we reconcile that?

We had a meeting last night at our unit and a new chaplain came by. He had a short (15 minute) video that he wanted to play for us at the meeting. It was a movie from the 50's prepared by Moody Bible Institute and (mostly) dealt with the concepts of instrument flying presented by missionary aviators. The point of the film was that the pilot must "have faith in his instruments" - the vague reference to faith throughout the film finally coming to a conclusion with the quotation of some  scriptures. I wasn't really sure about what the film accomplished for us as CAP members, but a new prospective member who watched it with us when asked what he thought said politely, "well, it was different."

Religion, sanitized from actual belief, seems quite empty to me. But that is the very thing that we seem to be dancing around here with the chaplaincy - we want them here (I want them here) but we don't want them to speak the truth (their truth) unless it is asked for privately. The whole aspect that somehow CAP has a high priority to provide spiritual counsel seems like a very odd conflict to me. It seems that once again we have a throwback to military tradition - the American military has always had chaplains so we in CAP now continue that tradition, whether it is in conflict with modern American civilian customs or not.

I guess what I would really wish to see is a departure from this radical secularism. If we decide we want chaplains in CAP then fine, recruit chaplains and let them say what they will - Christ and all - and let the individual members be trusted with the internal wisdom to figure out what does and does not apply to them. The crosses on their collars should be seen as fair warning that the people wearing them might actually talk to you about Christ. It is the radical secularism that demands that we not speak openly of things religious lest we offend someone's ears. A less radical secularism would tell people that they have the right to talk freely and trust that the listener will figure out what he or she needs to listen to.

A Muslim Imam giving an invocation to Allah? Won't bother me, won't burn my ears, I just won't get much from it. I do however have faith that what the Christian minister says will be more useful and the truth of things will come out.

--NM

[Monty]

Yin and Yang....balance is needed.

Majority of seniors are the nicest people on Earth....and with that in mind, some foul-mouthiest sorts around as well!   

Chaplains are a good break when I've heard enough of the "No crap, there I was in 1963 - cheese danish in one hand and a jar of sea monkeys in the other.  Meanwhile, she had a Polaroid camera and that one special glint in her eye and..............."

[DogCollar]

I was going to resist entering into this vortex, but "resistance if futile."

Chaplain code boiled down:
1.  Chaplains shall be respectful of people from all faiths and those with no faith allegiance.
2.  Chaplains shall not proslytize
3.  Chaplains shall answer direct questions concerning faith issues with direct answers!  In other words, if I am asked, directly, "Chaplain what do YOU believe?"  Than I am allowed to answer...not to convert, but to answer the question.

Do I feel that I have had my faith "chained?"  No.  Do I think that the CAP/military regulations are fair to chaplains?  Yes.

Now, I think (in my completely unbiased manner ) that chaplains happen to give CAP tremendous bang for the buck!  We are one part of CAP that can easily "crossover" and provide service to the Air Force, and reserve units, etc...  Chaplains and MLO's provide cadets with a structured program to enhance their ability for ethical discernment (chaplains and MLO's do not and should not provide THE answer...but instead provide structure and process).  Chaplains can offer real advice to commanders about issues in their command (as we know commanders aren't required to follow the chaplains' advice).  Chaplains are "front line" counselors for members/victims/rescuers, etc who are experiencing psychological/spiritual/existential distress.

If you have questions about what rules apply to chaplains, please read CAPR 265.  It is not that long and should help clear up some misconceptions. 

Are their chaplains in CAP that don't abide by the regulations?  Yes.  For those of you who witness chaplains that are straying outside those regulations, you have an obligation to the CAP Chaplain services to inform that chaplains superior in the chain of command.

[JohnKachenmeister]

Maybe I'm working from a different definition of "Non-denominational." 

To me, there are religions, (Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, etc.) and those religions further divide themselves into denominations, (Catholic, Baptist, Unitarian, Sunni, Shiite, etc.)

A Christian chaplain, dealing with a predominantly Christian assembly of persons, is giving a "Non-denominational" prayer even if he prays through Jesus.  A Christian chaplain who is a Catholic priest can do that, but cannot make the Baptists pray the Rosary.  As a commander, if my only available chaplain was a Imam, and I had a predominantly-Christian group, I would skip the word of prayer.  I would not force persons of one religion to pray under the tenets of a different religion, nor would I force a chaplain to lead a prayer outside of his religion.  If the Imam wanted to call for a moment of silent prayer and reflection, however, that would be fine with everybody, I would think. 

All Christian faiths pray through Jesus.  "No one comes to the Father but by me."  We are under a biblical admonition to follow the chain of command.  Since that is common to all Christian denominations, a Christian chaplain offering such a prayer is on safe ground.

I would expect athieists, agnostics, polytheists, and persons from San Francisco to merely stand quietly and respect the beliefs of others.     

[Eclipse]

3.  We serve as ABSOLUTELY CONFIDENTIAL counselors (except as certain laws require disclosure of abuse, that is) to members something that can have a profoundly positive effect on morale. Imagine being able to "vent" one's frustration or dissatisfaction (or concerns, etc) to another in CAP without ANY fear of that confidence being breached. In light of much apparent paranoia (as exemplified by CAPTalk postings in the last couple of years) this could be a tremendous service to CAP.

I disagree on this if the belief is that a Chaplain's confidentiality is restricted only to laws.

CAP Regulations do not protect a Chaplain, or any other senior member from immediately reporting violations of regulations, especially those which involving Cadet protection.

I have had personal experience with Chaplains who failed to report serious CPT issues within their units, only to be corrected on their understanding when the situation eventually washed itself out.

If their is a regulation or policy which grants a confessional-type relationship to a CAP Chaplain, please cite it here.

CAPR 265-1 [09 May 2007], Section D, 17 (page 10). Again this does not apply universally. Abuse (child and elder) allegations is a notable exception in, I believe, every state.

Chaplains Do NOT have to "immediately [report] violations of (CAP?) regulations, especially those which involving Cadet protection."

For example, if a pilot "confesses" to me that he exceeded the crosswind component limits of CAPR 60-1 during a "get-home-itis" landing in a CAP aircraft, I am MOST CERTAINLY NOT under any moral or legal (or CAPR) mandate to disclose it to CAP authorities.

In fact, I am --under CAPR 265-1-- NOT TO disclose it.

This is the text to which you refer:

09 May 2007], Section D, 17 (page 10)]
Confidentiality. In compliance with privileged communication standards, each chaplain will be provided, where possible, private office space with locked storage for confidential files (CAPF 48) in order to hold counseling sessions.
a. Chaplains and MLOs will comply with the reporting requirements of CAPR 52-10, CAP Cadet Protection Policy.
b. In all other cases, chaplains will, at a minimum, seek the advice of competent legal counsel before making any disclosure of information confided in a private setting.[/i]
c. Only CAP chaplains have confidentiality under this regulation. MLOs will brief anyone wishing to talk with them in confidence that they are not protected by confidentiality.

emphasis mine

This is certainly not an argument I'd want to get into, and as a commander, my need for information will be at odds with this idea whether it holds water or not, but I don't believe the passage you cite specifically grants a Chaplain any protected  "confessional" status, as with the CAP medical issues, this looks to be intentionally gray - looked the other way for minor infractions that don't involve injury or violation of the law, a different issue when they do.  In your example, were someone killed, or the airframe seriously damaged, and it turned out you had evidence that you were not disclosing, I don't think this paragraph is going to protect you, especially to external authorities. 
 

In every (?) state we must disclose to legal authorities (e.g. child protective services, not simply CAP NHQ) child abuse suspcions as any other adult must do.

As you have pointed out, you're not sure on this, and I would advise members involved with the cadet program (especially) to find out for themselves about their home states.  (IANAL) My Wing's legal people have indicated to me that my status as a CAP member does not specifically place me within my home states "duty-to-report" (DTR) statutes, however those members who are PD/FD/medical personnel are not waived that responsibility under state law.  And of course for those reporting abuse, who are bound by DTR, reporting it to a corporate officer does not relieve them of their DTR externally, and in some states the first call you have to make is to an external authority - again a wonderful position for our people to be placed.

[RiverAux]

I would expect athieists, agnostics, polytheists, and persons from San Francisco to merely stand quietly and respect the beliefs of others.     

But you would not expect the same of Christians.  Interesting.

[Chaplaindon]

"This is certainly not an argument I'd want to get into, and as a commander, my need for information will be at odds with this idea whether it holds water or not, but I don't believe the passage you cite specifically grants a Chaplain any protected  "confessional" status, as with the CAP medical issues, this looks to be intentionally gray - looked the other way for minor infractions that don't involve injury or violation of the law, a different issue when they do.  In your example, were someone killed, or the airframe seriously damaged, and it turned out you had evidence that you were not disclosing, I don't think this paragraph is going to protect you, especially to external authorities."

I will not argue these points with you either.

I will state as a experienced chaplain and a former unit commander, group, wing, region staff officer and an IC that you MIGHT want to discuss your "belie[f] [that] the passage [from CAPR 265-1 ... specifically grants a Chaplain any protected  "confessional" status" with your Wing Chaplain and/or (through chain of command) your Wing/CC (or even NHQ). You'll be surprised.

But you need to hear it from those in your chain of command. It might help prevent you, as a unit commander, from doing something --out of misunderstanding-- that costs you command.

If I were under your command, no amount of bluster or "what if-ing" would get me to violate my ordination (an authority FAR beyond anything presumed/assumed by a CAP officer or commander) to violate the sanctity of the confessional. That is a sacred trust with God.

That having been said, I can't imagine a chaplain who wouldn't counsel a pilot who confessed to damaging an airframe to self-report the act ... or else, the chaplain,  perhaps going to the airport and "finding" the damage her/himself and reporting it in a manner that maintained the confidence of the clergy office.

Then, I suspect, it wouldn't take a unit commander more than a nanosecond to determine who last flew the aircraft w/o requiring a chaplain to potentially violate her/his ordination and/or CAPR 265-1.

Likewise, if someone --"in the confessional" confessed to a criminal offense (e.g. burglary, or theft), I would require admission to authorities as a part of penance.

Obviously, the person need not heed that requirement, but it's there.

If a cadet (or a SM) confessed to cheating on a CAP promotion exam, I'd challenge/exhort them --again as penance-- to admit the act and face the punishment.

But those confessions are legally (inside and outside CAP) ... including federal court ... priviledged.

As to the "duty to report" under law ... in my home state anyone (ordinary citizens and all) who even suspect(s) child or elder abuse MUST report it ... and NOT to CAP (except as secondary) ... to children's/adult protective services or law enforcement IMMEDIATELY. No exceptions.

But, you are probably correct, that theremay well be variances to the law from state to state.