PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. --- Around the same time that a new U.S. Army chaplain arrived here at Picatinny Arsenal, two enlisted religious support specialists arrived, creating an entirely new team to provide ministry programs and worship services to the installation.
Lt. Col. Terrence (Terry) Walsh arrived at Picatinny in June after former Chaplain Lt. Col. David Jacob departed for his next assignment.
Walsh, a Long Island, New York, native said he had been trying for years to get stationed at Picatinny but the timing never worked out. Then, after 22 years in the Army, he received his "dream duty station."
"I think God had a little play in it," Walsh said of the Army's decision to send him to New Jersey.
"This is the first place I have been assigned where I am the only chaplain on post," Walsh said. With fewer Soldiers assigned to Picatinny than other posts with large, active duty populations, the need for more chaplains is not required. However, that does not deter Walsh from his mission.
"Department of the Army civilians are the continuity of this Army. They are the subject matter experts," he said. "They are what keeps Picatinny moving forward and I am happy to support our workforce."
Chaplain Walsh maintains an open door policy, where all information shared with him or his staff remains confidential unless otherwise stated.
He believes he was called to duty by God for a greater purpose.
"I had been in the seminary for four years, then in the parish for another six in Philadelphia, when I received some U.S. Army recruiting items in the mail. A Chaplain recruiter called and the rest is history.
"Never tell God what God does not want or what God will not do," Walsh jokingly said about entering military service.
The Chaplain is supported by two religious support specialists, Staff Sgt. Daniel Farrington, and Pfc. Joshua Schwartz.
"Staff Sgt. Farrington is a tremendous asset because of his experience in a recruiting battalion, and Pfc. Schwartz came to us from Camp Casey (Korea). Both are ready to support," Walsh said.
One support program that the team offers is "Strong Bonds."
Strong Bonds is an Army program designed to help strengthen marriages. It is a unit-based, chaplain-led program, which assists commanders in building individual resiliency by strengthening the Army family.
Its mission is to increase individual Soldier and family member readiness through relationship education and skills training.
Strong Bonds is conducted in an offsite retreat format to enhance training. The retreat or "get-away" provides a fun, safe, and secure environment in which to address the effects of relocations, deployments and other military lifestyle stressors.
"Why is it that marriage is the only thing where you don't practice or need any set of skills before you commit?" Walsh asked. "You practice driving a car. You get a permit, you sit behind the wheel while someone coaches you, and eventually you build your way up to a license. Why isn't marriage like that?"
Walsh said that the program, which is open to U.S. Army Soldiers and their families, provides hotel, meals and child care with no expense to the service member.
The religious support team at Picatinny provides two worship services. A Catholic Mass is held Sunday mornings at 8:45 at the Chapel, followed by a 10:30 Protestant service.
For more information call 973-724-4139.
You can now follow the office of the Picatinny Arsenal Chaplain on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PicatinnyArsenalChaplain
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