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Shepherds in the Wilderness

  • Published
  • By TSgt Shawn McCowan
  • 455th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
BAGRAM AIRFIELD, AFGHANISTAN --  Chaplains have been an integral part of American military history since long before the nation was founded. Their scope of duties has developed alongside the changing nation. Early American colonists recruited religious leaders from their towns when they went to war. Ministers were involved in every facet of conflict from the early 1600s to 1775, from military planning to supporting troops on the battlefield.

The importance of military Chaplains through history was not originally promoted by a minister but a soldier fighting in one of America's early wars.

A young soldier in the French and Indian War noticed local militia members paying ministers out of personal funds to keep them with their units. He wrote his Governor urging him to make sure every military unit had a chaplain who was paid by the government. The Continental Congress agreed with the soldier, and officially recognized the Chaplaincy in 1775. That soldier was later elected as the first President of the United States. The next year, General George Washington wrote:

"The blessing and protection of Heaven are at all times necessary, but especially so in times of public distress and danger..." --General George Washington, July 9, 1776

More than 230 years later, chaplains are making themselves more available than ever.

Today's Chaplain Corps has expanded its role from "battlefield minister" to the Religious Support Team. At Bagram Airfield, several RSTs are situated strategically in the field with hospital, operations and maintenance, and security forces to better shepherd the needs of their "flocks;" Airmen at war in the desert of Afghanistan. The Chaplain Corps and RST mission provides for the spiritual, emotional, and mental wellness for all Airmen, regardless of their belief system.

Just after sunrise on Sunday morning at a remote part of Bagram Airfield, members of 455th Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron both arrive from, or prepare to, begin a mission "outside the wire." As they gathered their equipment and weapons, Chaplain (Capt.) Joshua King arrived to offer prayers and a message to anyone interested in participating. Within minutes, nearly a dozen Airmen gathered together with him.

His message to them focused on "spiritual armor." The message related to them and was well-received.

One of the Security Forces members, SrA Christopher Finnegan, attended the devotional, and says he almost always does because of the thoughts and memories it inspires.

"I go to church on Sunday at home. This short service and devotional is kind of like a piece of home," said Finnegan.

Another participant, SrA Alex Brame, strongly related to the topic, taking notes while the chaplain spoke.

"Chaplain was right on about the armor of God. These plates are not my armor. This equipment is not my real protection. It can only stop a bullet. God's armor, God's word, is my real protection. Even if something happens to me, I know God is my protection," said Brame.

A1C Alex Washington attended the same devotional. He said he appreciates the message because of the nature of the chaplain's duty.

"The chaplain's service is a morale booster. We look up to him. A chaplain has more insight than a leader or a counselor. He has insight into God's word. Counselors just have their own insight rather than God's insight. They are just another person," said Washington.

Chaplain King said he was happy to help those Airmen start their day with a spiritual message, regardless of their belief system.

"I'm a chaplain to everybody in all faiths. We're here for them whether it's worship, confidential counseling, on-site ministry, advising leadership, or spiritual, ethical, moral, or family issues. We make sure faith integrates effectively and appropriately," said King.

King pointed out that his mission supports the Air Force's focus on "all-around Airman fitness."

"The Air Force talks about being fit to fight. They promote being fit physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Some of the challenges here are spiritual in nature. We support part of that fitness," said King.

King complimented Security Forces leadership for their strong support of the Chaplain program.

"Leadership has inspired a morale here that is rare. This team, including sector commanders, created a deep sense of camaraderie. Leadership works hard to make this very difficult job easier. The RST enhances that morale. When a team member speaks with a Chaplain, it strengthens them and enables them to focus on the mission throughout the day."

King said Airmen in his care are receptive, coming forward with concerns, dreams, thoughts, and victories. He said they are very forward with their faith.

As another long workday begins for men and women on the flight line, Chaplain (Capt.) Molly Lawlor and her Chaplain Assistant, TSgt. Steven James, prepare for worship services and visit nearby work areas.

"Our Airmen Ministry Center is a lot closer to the workstations, so we're able to have a lot more access and interaction. We're ready to go when the mission needs us. In building resilience we help build relationships in their unit, and keep the relationship strong with family back home," said Lawlor.

Lawlor makes sure those under her team's care know they are able to help with almost any life-issues.

"People hear 'Chaplain,' and think it's only religious stuff. And we do that, but we're also here for the emotional and mental stuff as well. But if you just have problems going on in your life, or you're stressed, or you just need someone to listen, we're that person too."

"People come in for formal counseling when they need to close the door and talk. But a lot of people just need to talk things out in a safe environment. When they know that Chaplains have 100% confidentiality, people can just get things off their chest. A lot of what goes on is on the outside, and we can't change it. But sometimes just talking about it helps them get more focused on the mission."

Lawlor has a favorite saying she uses to let her Airmen know the RSTs are available for anything.

"We're here for the good the bad and the daily. And there's a lot of daily in a deployed environment."

Her Chaplain Assistant, TSgt. Steven James, has a special affinity for flight line ministry. He used to be an aircraft maintainer. But he said something was missing.

"There was always that sense of satisfaction from putting a bird into the air and metal into the fight, but it lacked that personal touch. I traded weapon systems from aircraft to people. Now I'm able to have a more meaningful and positive impact on lives on a day-to-day basis," said James.

Knowing the demands and life of a maintainer taught him the importance of taking care of them.

"Unless we have people dedicated to take care of our individuals who comprise our war-fighting force, the system will break down. We're there as a Chaplain Corps to build them back up so they can continue with the mission they are charged to do."

Managing and taking care of that Bagram Chaplain Corps is the duty of Lt. Col. Jim Glass, 455th Head Chaplain, and MSgt. Jason Tober, Superintendent of Chaplain Operations. They manage and guide the five RSTs.

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Glass said he truly embraced the RST program because the teamwork enhances both members' ability to do their job in ministry.

"Sometimes it takes a long time for an Airman to warm up to an officer. But when an enlisted person like MSgt. Tober walks in, they immediately welcome him. So he is able to be my eyes and ears where I would never be able to have that level of insight," said Glass.

Glass said spiritual fitness has an especially important role in a deployed environment.

"As Chaplains, we are tapping into an individual's connection with that which is above and beyond himself or herself; their ability to find a balance with who you are in the greater scheme of things. In a war environment, people deal with a lot questions like, 'what happens to me if I die,' 'Why am I here,' and 'What is my purpose?'Once I understand who I am in the bigger scheme of things and God's purpose for me, there is a balance and peace within my spirit that allows me to function in whatever kind of environment I find myself in. We try to find their spiritual point of reference and develop that in whatever way we can."

That need to find one's place and find peace might be most important in a military hospital. Chaplain (Maj.) Larry Kittle is the hospital chaplain. Just like the hospital staff, he attends to both wounded military members and other patients that arrive for treatment, even if they might have been the enemy.

"Our primary mission is to be visible reminders of the holy. In this context, it is often unholy situations we find ourselves in. So we provide hope to the staff and patients. I think every religion has the belief in a higher power. I still try to lend comfort and encouragement in any way that is appropriate," said Kittle.

Kittle recognized that spiritual support is vital for well-being and resilience, especially in a hospital.

"Mental health is primarily internal - within the person. But [throughout] the different faith groups, we believe there is something outside of ourselves that we have a relationship with as an additional resource to help us through the difficult times, and help us to be resilient. From my perspective, that's the only way we can be resilient, is through that spiritual aspect. We may have patients come through that are in serious condition. And the staff here is dealing with life and death issues on a daily basis. We can help them deal with those things and give them a different perspective. If the patients are conscious, we can talk to them, calm their fears, and help encourage them that they are well taken care of. The staff here has really made us feel like a part of the healing team. They appreciate our presence here."

As sunset marked the end of another busy day for most of the Chaplain Corps, the darkness meant the beginning of the duty day for others. Security Forces' night "Reaper" team prepared for duty, but got a new kind of send-off from Chaplain King.

TSgt Jose Pena-Rojas, a "Reaper" squad leader, helped King begin a new devotional and worship time for his men and women just before they begin a convoy, because of their inability to attend chapel services.

"We are restricted to the area because of our duties. So the chaplain came to us. This is something I wanted someone to do for me when I was younger. I care about them, and I believe young Airmen could benefit from religious guidance. I think it's important to learn about God and country, and why we believe," said Pena-Rojas.

Pena-Rojas said he appreciated the unique benefits Chaplain King could offer his team.

"It's good to have someone leading from out front. The Chaplain is out here with us, leading from the front. He picks us up and he's willing to talk, listen, and offer support. It's good knowing that it's more than a job to Chaplains."

Throughout the day and night, members of each RST shepherd stepped back to hand those in their care back to their duties in the difficult conditions of wartime at Bagram.

But not before they each bowed their heads to quietly deliver each of their flocks into stronger hands.