The Battalion Chaplain: A Combat Multiplier

The Battalion Chaplain: A Combat Multiplier by Chaplain (Captain) David Fell The moral and ethical well-being of the command is extremely important to successfully accomplishing missions. Battalion commanders have an invaluable asset to support the moral and ethical well-being of soldiers, especially during counterinsurgency (COIN) operations. Commanders should assess how Chaplains can contribute to soldiers and their missions. As a Chaplain, near the completion of a year-long deployment in Iraq, I realize every situation is unique, but many of the concepts and ideas in this article can be adapted to fit a unit’s particular needs. This article is based on the experiences of a unit highly engaged in all aspects of the brigade combat team’s area of operation (AO). To date, we have accomplished over 2,800 combat patrols that include regular contact with the enemy. The unit is made up of more than 600 soldiers, both organic and attached, representing over 50 military occupational specialties. The battalion has both kinetic and nonkinetic missions. As per U.S. Army regulations, “Chaplains provide for the religious support, pastoral care, and the moral and ethical well-being of the command.” This concept becomes a reality within the three major religious support functional areas — to nurture the living, care for the wounded, and honor the dead. This article focuses on nurturing the living and how the above-mentioned concepts have specific and practical application in forming a proactive ministry support program. While deployed, the focus is on keeping soldiers in the fight (spiritually and emotionally) and doing the right things. The heart of ministry is relationships. Without relationships it is difficult to be proactive in preventing moral, morale, and ethical decline or providing early intervention in such situations. Chaplains need to expend the time and energy to forge relationships at all levels in a battalion. Relationship building involves investing time and shared experiences. It is important that all elements of the unit receive attention — both inside the wire and outside the wire. The Chaplain Outside the Wire There are several primary tasks and purposes that a Chaplain accomplishes with soldiers outside the wire — some are proactive and others are more reactive. Every operation involves risk and these risks should be considered when deciding how to employ the Chaplain. A Chaplain is a noncombatant, like doctors and medics. Unlike doctors and medics, however, a Chaplain is not permitted to bear arms. A Chaplain’s Assistant is an armed combatant and serves to protect the Chaplain while on missions outside the wire. To-Father (Major) Edward J. Waters, a Catholic Chaplain from Oswego, New York, conducts Divine Services on a pier for members of the first assault troops thrown against Hitler’s forces on the continent. Weymouth, England, 6 June 1944.

gether, they make a very effective team while accomplishing their tasks and purposes. Religious support and services is a proactive task. Its purpose is to meet the religious and spiritual needs of soldiers by providing partial or full worship opportunities to those unable to attend services at the forward operating base. Soldiers who remain spiritually engaged can continue to draw on the strength they receive from their faith. The visit provides soldiers an opportunity to interact as a group or one-on-one with the Chaplain. This also provides an opportunity to address several minor counseling issues. Assessing the moral and ethical environment is a proactive task. Its purpose is to observe and interact with leaders and soldiers as they interact with each other and the local population. This is particularly important during COIN operations where there is a lot of nonkinetic interaction with the local population. Patrols interact with the local people as they conduct their daily business of work, school, shopping, and playing. After contact with the enemy, it is natural for soldiers to feel animosity toward the local population. The most accurate way to assess actions and attitudes of soldiers and leaders is with firsthand observation. A Chaplain can gain a general sense of their feelings by visiting with squads and platoons while inside the wire, but it is working alongside them when they are in battle mode and fatigued that the warning signs become clear. The purpose is not to single out any particular soldier or leader, it is to help them before they reach the point of necessitating significant outside intervention or attention. Religious and cultural assessment and advisement is a proactive task. Its purpose is to assess and advise commanders and others on issues related to local religious and cultural considerations. Chaplains are subject-matter experts on religion. This knowledge and experience is very important during COIN operations where religion plays a large role in the day-to-day life of the local population. They provide a general religious area assessment based on basic research. By interacting with the local population and attending and observing meetings with local governments and contractors, the Chaplain can facilitate a better understanding of issues that relate to the area of operation and the local population. Visiting the wounded at the combat support hospital is a reactive task with the purpose of providing comfort and spiritual support for the wounded. Caring for the wounded is an important part of the ministry of a combat chaplain. This is not only beneficial for wounded soldiers, but it also lets other soldiers know that they will receive care in their hour of need. There are other secondary tasks and purposes that the Chaplain and his assistant perform while outside the wire. The following tasks are definitely combat multipliers during combat operations. Primary combat life saver provides first aid to wounded soldiers, and as a noncombatant prohibited from bearing arms, the Chaplain is a good choice to fill this role — especially in the absence of a medic. This frees up combat power to remain engaged with the enemy or provide security. Ideally, a Chaplain would only need to focus on the spiritual needs of the wounded soldier; however, experience has demonstrated the need to fill this role. Ministry of presence provides comfort and reassurance to soldiers in harm’s way. It assesses the condition and recovery progress of soldiers directly affected by a significant event. As soldiers experience various losses due to combat, they grow weary and sometimes fearful. Many have faith in God and the presence of a Chaplain reassures them that they are not alone in their struggle. The Chaplain, as a leader, thus sets a standard of personal courage and care of soldiers. Ministry of presence also provides Chaplains the opportunity to assess how soldiers are coping with difficult situations, enabling him to provide or facilitate appropriate care. The Chaplain Inside the Wire The Chaplain’s experiences outside the wire, his demonstration of personal courage, and shared danger with soldiers pro- “‘Chaplains provide for the religious support, pastoral care, and the moral and ethical well-being of the command.’ This concept becomes a reality within the three major religious support functional areas to nurture the living, care for the wounded, and honor the dead.” “Chaplains are subject-matter experts on religion... They provide a general religious area assessment based on basic research. By interacting with the local population and attending and observing meetings with local governments and contractors, the Chaplain can facilitate a better understanding of issues that relate to the area of operation and the local population.” 24 — January-February 2007 vide a foundation for functioning inside the wire. The Chaplain’s Assistant plays a vital role in accomplishing these tasks. Planning and operations. According to doctrine, Chaplains serve as advisors to the command in the areas of morale, morals, ethics, and religion. This relates to both planning and operations. The Chaplain’s education, combined with firsthand experiences and observations, are valuable tools available to the unit during the planning and evaluation process. During a deployment, there will likely be several opportunities for the Chaplain to participate in and contribute to the military decisionmaking process (MDMP). A Chaplain who has his finger on the pulse of current operations can provide invaluable insight on how a proposed course of action will affect the soldiers carrying out the plan. The Chaplain also provides an assessment of the impact on the local population in relation to the religion and/or religious holidays during the proposed operation. Firsthand knowledge and assessment of the area involved is very beneficial. Workplace visitation. This is an effective way of being proactive in dealing with problems before they arise to the crisis level. Workplace visitations are an important part of relationship building and often involve informal chatting, looking at family photos, and discussing family issues. Many times a soldier who would not otherwise seek out the Chaplain will pull the Chaplain aside and ask for help with growing problems. At other times, the chain of command will pull the Chaplain aside and ask that he speak with a soldier who may be having difficulties — early intervention helps avoid crises. Critical incident stress debriefing. When a traumatic event occurs in a unit, it is important to help soldiers who are most significantly affected process the emotions of the event. This is an important part of taking care of soldiers during combat. A Chaplain who is actively involved with the unit can help soldiers through this process by identifying those who may need additional care and facilitate that care with agencies that offer programs such as combat stress or mental health care. Pastoral counseling. The importance of this should not be underestimated. At different times during a deployment, pastoral counseling can occupy a considerable amount of a Chaplain’s time. This is most effective when a Chaplain has taken time to build relationships with soldiers and leaders. The day-and-night availability of the Chaplain is a great resource for the unit. In this role, they can also help guide soldiers to the level of support they need. As per regulations, commanders should never expect a Chaplain to share anything told to them in their role as a counselor or spiritual advisor. Religious services. The Chaplain is also responsible for coordinating and providing (within a particular faith group) weekly religious services. This also includes oversight of other lay leaders of other faith groups and other activities such as Bible studies. Working together with other Chaplains provides soldiers a wide variety of worship opportunities. The proactive unit ministry team (UMT) is made up of the Chaplain and the Chaplain’s Assistant. The UMT is a tremendous asset that proactively provides for the needs of soldiers and aids greatly in mission accomplishment. It is difficult to objectively measure the success of taking a proactive approach. To date, my UMT has completed more than 100 missions outside the wire with soldiers, as well as hundreds of workplace visits. These proactive activities, combined with counseling, crisis intervention, classes/briefs, planning meetings, and religious services form a vital and active religious support program. Chaplain (Captain) David Fell is currently serving as the battalion chaplain, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), Taji, Iraq. He received a B.S. from Texas A&M Commerce and a Masters of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His military education includes Chaplain Officers Basic Course. He received a Bronze Star Medal for his service in Iraq. “The Chaplain is also responsible for coordinating and providing (within a particular faith group) weekly religious services. This also includes oversight of other lay leaders of other faith groups and other activities such as Bible studies. Working together with other Chaplains provides soldiers a wide variety of worship opportunities.” January-February 2007 — 25 Chaplain Kenny Lynch conducts services north of Hwachon, Korea, 28 August 1951.