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380AEW Article

Chaplain reaches the finish line

  • Published
  • By Senior Master Sgt. Eric Peterson
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing
UNDISCLOSED LOCATION --  Chaplain (Capt.) Peter Dumag, an avid marathon runner, is looking forward to a strong finish to his deployment having served more than four months with the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing.

His path to becoming an Air Force chaplain might also be considered a marathon he ultimately won.

Born and raised in the Philippines, Chaplain Dumag was ordained a Catholic priest in 1992.

In 2001, his bishop assigned him to serve as a priest in Hawaii. While serving there he applied for U.S. citizenship and became a naturalized citizen in 2008.

Chaplain Dumag had the opportunity to visit with active-duty and retired military chaplains that were living in Hawaii and serving military members assigned to the numerous bases in the area. The stories they shared of ministering to the unique needs of military members impressed him.

He first applied to become a member of the Air Force Chaplain Corps in 2008 but was unable to leave his diocese due to a continued need for his services.

In October 2011, he again asked for permission to become an Air Force chaplain. This time his bishop gave him permission.

Chaplain Dumag contacted Randolph Air Force Base and they proceeded with the application process, which included extensive paperwork, interviews and background checks.

In 2012, he graduated from Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Ala., and attended Basic Chaplain Corps training at Fort Jackson, S.C.

He said Catholic priests were given three important responsibilities to remember during the chaplaincy training.

"One of the teaching moments that they kept emphasizing to us was that we were 100 percent chaplain and, regardless of religion, you are a chaplain to everybody," said Chaplain Dumag. "You must also be 100 percent Catholic chaplain, to be of service to the Catholic community. And third, you must be 100 percent officer."

One of the goals he has had while serving at the 380th AEW was to rebuild the relationship with the Catholic community in the local area. He has since reinstituted a regular mass offered for members of the Catholic faith living off base.

Known affectionately as the "flightline chaplain," Chaplain Dumag made it a point to make twice-weekly visits to Airmen serving in the maintenance and operations areas of the base.

He believes a quality life is made of a balance of mental, physical, social and spiritual components. He sees these four components as being the four legs of a stool with the spiritual component being an important one to maintain.

"Sometimes we are looking for peace and security that only a higher being can provide to us," said Chaplain Dumag. And perhaps through the chaplains we can facilitate that spiritual component and fill the needs of our Airmen."

The chaplain keeps his physical component in balance by running. He has completed six marathons in Hawaii and is training for a seventh, running every day but Friday during his deployment.

He also draws an analogy between running and life.

"Life is about pacing ourselves," said Chaplain Dumag. "Instead of a sprint, we need to take it slow and persevere to keep the faith and to finish the race."