In a time-honored tradition, the 1st Infantry Division held a changing of the stole ceremony April 5, 2010, to welcome in their new chaplain at Contingency Operating Base Basra.
Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Timothy Mallard, division chaplain for the 1st Inf. Div., donned the stole, which bears the names of the head chaplains for the division since the Balkans.
The changing of the stole ceremony is based on the Old Testament book Second Kings. In the story, the prophet Elijah took up the mantle which fell from the prophet Elisha as he was taken up into heaven by a chariot of fire. This mantle identified him as the new prophetic voice and spiritual leader of Israel.
Mallard is now in charge of all of the chaplains and chaplain's assistants in United States Division-South, he said. Now that he is in charge, he has a plan.
Using a three-step process of planning, training and executing, Mallard is working with all of the religious support teams throughout USD-S.
"We have to synchronize religious support with the units," Mallard said.
This effort will help chaplains throughout USD-S work around the needs of the Soldiers they serve.
One example Mallard gave was the observance of the Jewish holiday of Passover, which celebrates the liberation of the Jews from Egypt. Through coordination, a rabbi chaplain and Soldiers who wanted to participate in the event were flown to COB Adder.
Before coming to COB Basra, Mallard was stationed at the US Army Chaplains Center and School in Ft. Jackson, S.C. He received a phone call Christmas Eve asking if he would take over the care of the souls of the 1st Inf. Div., he said.
"I am deeply grateful to deserve this division," he said. "I felt joy tinged with a profound sense of humility."
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