U.S. Army Europe hosts annual training for chaplains, chaplain assistants

By Sgt. Daniel Cole, U.S. Army Europe Public AffairsFebruary 11, 2015

U.S. Army Europe hosts annual training for chaplains, chaplain assistants
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LANDSTUHL, Germany -- Approximately 50 Soldiers working as chaplains and assistants gathered here, Feb. 4-5, to discuss ways to improve outreach in their local communities.

The Chaplain Annual Sustainment Training-Light Europe is an annual training event for European units and is designed to better prepare those in the field for the many different situations they may face in garrison or while deployed.

Attendees focused on professionalism this year and key speakers emphasized how the interchanging job of being a war fighter and a healer on the battlefield can sometimes lead to challenges in the profession.

Maj. Gen. Donald Rutherford, the Army's Chief of Chaplains, was a key speaker at the training and encouraged attendees to keep fighting the good fight while maintaining a professional bearing.

"Professionalism is really what we are focusing on this year," Rutherford said.

He explained that professionalism in the chaplain job field requires always being able to be there for Soldiers and their families while facing different situations and obstacles.

Rutherford attended the training as part of a larger Europe-based visit to other units' CAST-LE training.

Chaplain's assistants also attended the training. For many of the younger Soldiers, Army Europe is their first duty station and today's training event is their first look at how members of the branch work together.

"This training is definitely worth coming to," said Pfc. Drew Davis, a chaplain's assistant assigned to 2nd Signal Brigade, 5th Signal Command. "It brings us together from all over Europe because we are so spread out. We usually do not get to see each other unless it is at a training event like this."

Davis, who will be transitioning back to the U.S. soon, attended the training with his replacement, Pvt. Zachary Rehm.

"Since I am new, being able to learn leadership skills is great," Rehm said. "When the time arises that I need to help or counsel a person I think this will really help me."

The two-day training additionally focused on building alliances, strengthening relationships and professional development strategies. A final question and answer session was held with senior leaders, bringing the second and final day of training to a close.

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About us: U.S. Army Europe is uniquely positioned in its 51-country area of responsibility to advance American strategic interests in Europe and Eurasia. The relationships built during the more than 1,000 theater security cooperation events, held in more than 40 countries each year, lead directly to support for multinational contingency operations around the world, strengthen regional partnerships and enhance global security.

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