Questions about chaplains

[Dreaded Claymore]

I am curious about chaplains in the Armed Forces.

For one thing, I imagine in some cases there'll only be a few chaplains, with backgrounds in specific religious denominations, to take care of everybody, even the people from very different religions. That seems like it'd be very different from civilian life, where if you are in one particular faith group, of course you're going to to go that particular minister if you need to talk.

Can any of you fellows tell me about your experience talking to a chaplain? Are they usually really experienced, or not? Are they helpful? Did you have any really good experiences? Any really bad ones?

Are/were any of you guys/girls chaplains or chaplain assistants?

[Flipper]

In my experience chaplains are awesome! Even though they are of a certain denomination they provide counsel to all service members. I've never had an issue with a chaplain of a different denomination. Their job is to provide spiritual guidance to all, so they are actually given training in all the faiths so they can accommodate all, even if not conduct services for other faiths.

[The War Wagon]

In my experience chaplains are awesome! Even though they are of a certain denomination they provide counsel to all service members. I've never had an issue with a chaplain of a different denomination. Their job is to provide spiritual guidance to all, so they are actually given training in all the faiths so they can accommodate all, even if not conduct services for other faiths.

As the Divine Service is only ONE hour of the week, leading Bible studies, counseling, and serving as a general purpose "morale officer" throughout their AO, is what they do the rest of the week.

As a member of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, we don't even get along with the ELCA Lutherans. In the military though, MOST of the chaplains tend to be more conservative theologically and personally (the military didnt USE to a 'lab setting' for politically-correct social experiments... but alas, that too, is changing... ), and so meeting with one for some counseling, or even a Bible study, wouldn't be the same as going here. I personally, would NOT take the Lord's Supper still from other than a LCMS chaplain, but I would still attend most any service OTHER than a charismatic/pentecostal or non-Christian one (Mormon, Bhuddist, et.al.).

I actually interviewed several chaplains (for a graduate paper) at Ft. Jackson in Columbia, SC many years ago. I've known a few others, and they're all stand-up guys. They too, recognize, there are no atheists in foxholes...

[Mr.Caketown]

Our chaplain understands many denominations and is a very outgoing guy. He doesnt pass judgement and is always there for you. To date all my run ins with Chaplains have been very good experiences , these people carry a very unique and positive energy .

[tanksoldier]

A chaplain's two primary responsibilities are to provide for the religious needs of the members of their unit, whether they are of the same or differing faiths, and to provide moral guidance and advice to the commander. They are also pretty good at counseling and are a good ear to bend when you don't know where else to go with your problems. If they can't help they will know who can.

A Buddhist Chaplain will move Heaven and Earth, even if he doesn't believe in either of them, to find a Catholic service member someone to confess to. Likewise Jewish, Mormon, Wiccan or what have you.

Non-Catholic military chaplains receive special dispensations from the Catholic Church to give last rites, hear confessions and give sacraments when Catholic clergy are unavailable.

Of all the different programs and personnel in the US military my respect for Chaplains is among the highest.

[chris]

In my experience chaplains are awesome! Even though they are of a certain denomination they provide counsel to all service members. I've never had an issue with a chaplain of a different denomination. Their job is to provide spiritual guidance to all, so they are actually given training in all the faiths so they can accommodate all, even if not conduct services for other faiths.

yep chaplains are awsome. i talked to mine in Iraq all the time when he came to see us on my FOB. great guy.

[The Soup Nazi]

Chaplains are outstanding. I definitely saw ours drinking in a bar in the Philippines.

[jmsenk]

I have never seen a bad chaplin. Never has one passed judgement on any faith that I have heard. I have gone to services offered by Jewish chaplains, and even spoken with a Hindu chaplain. My last Battalion Chaplain was a methodist (or something like that... one of those Protestant Heathen religions ) but that didn't stop him from finding me a rosary when my first one broke in Iraq (I was wearing it under my body armor) He also had a few St. Michael the Archangel Medals made up with our Battalion crest - th 509th Airborne - on the back (St. Michael being the patron Saint of Paratroopers) which he gave to the Catholic soldiers. It is also worth noting that he was a prior service 11B with a CIB and BSV from Gulf War part I.

The Chaplains I have encountered, of all denomonations have always been some of the most open minded, understanding, and well educated men of any religion that I have ever met. They take their job seriously, and will do anything that they can to maintain the wellbeing of their soldiers. It's a far cry from the pompus, arrogant, offensive, and intolerent views taken by many civilian preachers. My experience with military chaplains is probably one of the main reasons I still have religion.

[11Bforme]

My battalion Chaplain called out targets during an ambush. One of the Pvts in our unit said "Good call sir you sent those F***ers straight to hell" He wasn't to amused at that moment but was a great guy to be around and always happy the rest of the time.

It takes a certain person to be a Chaplain and the ones I have meet are pretty cool.

[Super Spy]

+1000 on Chaplain's being great guys. I know when I was having a rough spot and didn't know who to talk to a chaplain was always willing to lend an ear. They were also one of the few people that could keep their mouth shut (as long as you don't announce intentions of killing someone) They truly understood more the workings of the military and who to talk to when you needed something accomplished than anyone else.

[Stanksbeamen]

I have never heard about a bad chaplain/experience. I have never used their services but they've always been good people to chit chat with.

Not sure how it is in other services but USAF they have 100% confidentiality so they cannot repeat anything you've said. That may be something to think about if its something that's bad/immoral/illegal...

[tanksoldier]

they have 100% confidentiality so they cannot repeat anything you've said.

That's not strictly true, for example if they think you're going to hurt someone or yourself, but they can and do keep a lot to themselves.

[Manolito]

I served a very long time ago 1966-70 and we had a Catholic Chaplain that served all the faiths. The Mormons had their own services but the chaplain attended.

Several times the Chaplain went on patrol with us they have my highest thanks.

We had a guy whose wife had a uterus burst and the Red Cross sent him home but then billed him for the travel big ticket item from south west asia to California. Our chaplain lead the collection to pay off the bill to the red cross. Some day ask me how I feel about the red cross?