Feb 4, 2010

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - Marine Sgt. Eddie Rosa and his wife Maddie were returning home from Philadelphia with their three children and a nephew when they received the shocking news that their home was being destroyed by fire.

Feb 4, 2010

FORT RUCKER Ala. -- Numerous installation community members gathered at the Main Post Chapel Monday to mourn the loss of Zane Biddle, Fort Rucker's first full-time youth director, who passed away last week unexpectedly.

Feb 1, 2010

WASHINGTON - Army Reserve 2nd Lt. Alec Scott felt a higher calling at a young age that led him not only down a military path, but down a religious one as well.

Feb 1, 2010

As Brig. Gen. (CH) Donald Rutherford spoke at Fort Irwin and the National Training Center's National Prayer Breakfast on Monday morning, he emphasized the mission of the National Training Center, which is "Train the force."

Feb 1, 2010

FORT BELVOIR, Va. - Last weekend, the Fort Belvoir Chapel Community gave more than $41,000 in special offerings designated for Disaster Relief in Haiti.

Jan 30, 2010

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - Two officials with the 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) began supervising the renovations of the mosque Jan. 1 at Camp Taji, Iraq.

Jan 28, 2010

It might not make sense to a mathematician, but the Fort McPherson chaplaincy is adding through subtraction. With the ChapelNext program, the chaplaincy hopes to add a contemporary worship experience by subtracting some previous traditions.

Jan 28, 2010

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Chaplain (Col.) Samuel Boone, commandant of the United States Army Chaplain Center and School, will be the guest speaker for the Fort Jackson observance of the 2010 National Prayer Breakfast, scheduled for 7-8:30 a.m., Feb. 10, at the NCO Club.

Jan 22, 2010

Across the Army, Soldiers and families are donating funds to the Haiti relief effort by passing the collection basket during chapel services.

Jan 21, 2010

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- For almost three years, Chaplain (Col.) Henry Haynes, Fort Jackson's installation chaplain, has been overseeing 37 weekly worship services and numerous religious education programs.

Jan 19, 2010

<b>What is it' </b> Family members play a significant role in a Soldier's life by supporting their resilience and well-being. This is why family members now have the opportunity to participate in the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness (CSF) program by taking the Global Assessment Tool and self-development modules. CSF is a holistic fitness program for Soldiers, family members and Army civilians that is designed to enhance performance and build resilience. Participation in the CSF program begins with the Global Assessment Tool, an online, confidential survey that measures a person's level of strength in four dimensions: social, spiritual, emotional and family.

Jan 19, 2010

Events at Martin Luther King Program on Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo

Jan 17, 2010

In addition to physical fitness, irrespective of one's religious preference (or lack thereof), we need to be spiritually fit as well, in order thrive -- and not just survive -- in the midst of what life can throw at us. Spirituality and religion can sometimes coincide, but they need not. A friend of mine who's sober in Alcoholics Anonymous says that "spirituality can unite what religions divide," because she's seen folks from diverse religious backgrounds -- people who otherwise would not even have coffee with one another -- get and stay sober by working the spiritual program which is the Twelve Steps.

Jan 14, 2010

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan- Being prepared for the unexpected was the topic of discussion for the first prayer breakfast of the year for Task Force Falcon, Jan. 7 at the Marne CafAfA dining facility at Bagram Airfield.

Jan 12, 2010

PINEVILLE, La. - Col. Walter J. Austin, state chaplain of the Louisiana National Guard, was honored in a retirement ceremony at the Stafford House at Camp Beauregard in Pineville, La., Jan.

Jan 12, 2010

Sgt. Major Alvin Chaplin, U.S. Army Forces Command's senior chaplain assistant, likes to compare a chaplain assistant to an entire infantry company rolled into one Soldier. "In order to get the job done, he or she has to be able to do it all - company clerk, supply person, motor sergeant and combatant. The chaplain assistant has to set the conditions for the chaplain to succeed and the commander to execute the unit's religious programs," said Chaplin.

Jan 12, 2010

FORT McCOY, Wis. -- Major renovations are under way in the Protestant Chapel, building 2672, which will cause a reorganization of the Fort McCoy worship schedule until late spring, said Garrison Chaplain (Col.) Steven Colwell. Arteaga Construction of Milwaukee is the general contractor for the project, which was detailed as part of the installation's master plan. Included in the project is installing modern forced air heating/cooling equipment and insulation, upgrading the restroom areas, adding chairs to replace the pews, and new carpeting. Colwell said the pews were not compatible with the new carpeting so they were removed and donated to a civilian church, which saved those costs.

Jan 11, 2010

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - The Army unveiled the Army Family Covenant on Oct. 8, 2007, pledging a commitment to provide Soldiers and Families a quality of life commensurate with their dedicated service and sacrifice.

Jan 8, 2010

4th Infantry Division Soldiers lend support to Colorado Springs homeless.

Jan 7, 2010

FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Design plans are nearly finalized for a new 22,600-square-foot, 620-seat chapel to be built on post, providing a facility that installation religious leaders hope will bring Soldiers and Families closer together.

Jan 6, 2010

BAGHDAD - Chaplains journeyed to secluded locations Christmas Day to provide Soldiers with greatly desired worship services.

Jan 5, 2010

VILSECK, Germany - "Most people that commit or attempt suicide don't want to die - they want relief," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) James Hartz to a group of 10 family readiness support technicians at the Vilseck Army Community Service Center, during an Ask, Care, Escort-suicide intervention, known as ACE-SI, skills training course.

Dec 30, 2009

Soldier Spotlight: Getting to know Sgt. Marc D. Frazer

Dec 30, 2009

Dec 28, 2009

Sgt. Major Alvin Chaplin likes to compare a chaplain assistant to an entire infantry company rolled into one Soldier. "In order to get the job done, he or she has to be able to do it all -- company clerk, supply person, motor sergeant and combatant. The chaplain assistant has to set the conditions for the chaplain to succeed and the commander to execute the unit's religious programs," said Chaplin, U.S. Army Forces Command's senior chaplain assistant. Chaplin made his observation on the occasion of the Army's celebrating the centennial of the Army chaplain assistants Dec. 28. For a hundred years, holders of what is now the 56M MOS (military occupation specialty) have assisted chaplains in ensuring the free exercise of religion for millions of Soldiers.

Dec 26, 2009

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - It wasn't long ago that 1st Lt. Anthony Williams was a cannon crewmember, a staff sergeant, at the time, in the U.S. Army Reserves. It was at that point in his Army career that he received a Higher calling to serve his country and his fellow Soldiers in a different way. Today, you can call him Chaplain (1st Lt.) Anthony Williams, deputy chaplain for Multi-National Task Force - East here in Kosovo.

Dec 24, 2009

Dec 22, 2009

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- I'll never forget one humiliating and frightening experience I had when I returned from Iraq. My daughter, Olivia, my first and only child at the time, was 3. I hadn't seen her since my "environmental leave" period ended three months earlier, and that seemed like a long time ago. I wanted to spend some quality time with her, so I took her shopping with me at the furniture store.

Dec 22, 2009

Who: 144 TF Chaplain Timothy Meier organized with Pastor Binqe of Kabas/Kabash and Knights of Columbus What: A yearly celebration of St. Nicolas in the town of Kabas/Kabash, Kosovo at the church of St. Nicolas. A Catholic mass was held in Albanian and English and open to all religions. Donated toys were distributed to children by St. Nicolas. When: 5 December 2009 Where: Kabas/Kabash

Dec 21, 2009

BAGHDAD - Culture plays a lead role in the lives of people all over the world, and while in Iraq, there are many cultural differences and Islamic practices that U.S. Soldiers need to be aware of.

Dec 21, 2009

CAMP TAJI, Iraq - With the traditional anointing of the chaplain's thumb, seven service members from the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade received a long-awaited gift just days before Christmas.

Dec 20, 2009

FORWARD OPERATING BASE WOLVERINE, Afghanistan - Lit solely by headlamps, an illuminated fog rolls with every breath the chaplain speaks. Nearly midnight with Christmas approaching, a small group of deployed service members sit on the cold rocks of the helicopter landing pad huddled in a circle to hold a Catholic Mass.

Dec 18, 2009

FORT McPHERSON - With the secular decorations of the holidays filling stores, members of the Fort McPherson community were provided an opportunity Dec. 10 to experience a more spiritual side of the season at the U.S. Army Garrison Chaplains Office holiday prayer breakfast.

Dec 17, 2009

Three days after Christmas in 1909, the Army authorized an assistant whose sole purpose would be to allow chaplains to focus on ministering to the spiritual needs of Soldiers and their families throughout the world.

Dec 15, 2009

<b>What is it' </b> On December 28, 2009, the Army will celebrate the centennial of Army Chaplain Assistants.

Dec 15, 2009

FORT McPHERSON, Ga. - Although slimming down is a popular option for New Year resolutions, Pfc. Nicole Pena, a U.S. Army Garrison chaplain assistant and chapel funds clerk is already working on her resolution to grow the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program on Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem. Pena, who became BOSS president in May, said it is important to begin organizing the program to better serve single Soldiers on both installations.

Dec 11, 2009

People who have spiritual resiliency have a greater chance to weather life's traumas and even use them as events to improve their lives than people who don't have great spiritual resiliency, said Chap. (Brig. Gen.) Ray Woolridge.

Dec 10, 2009

On an ordinary Saturday morning in South Carolina, two noncommissioned officers from Fort Jackson's U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School were driving toward Augusta, Ga. The trip came to an end when the passenger, Staff Sgt. Mauricio Sosa, spotted an SUV in the oncoming lane flipping over toward them.

Dec 9, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - The 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) out of Fort Hood, Texas, held an all 13th ESC Resiliency Counseling Training Conference for chaplains and chaplain's assistants at the Provider Chapel Dec. 1-4 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq.

Dec 9, 2009

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq - The 49th Transportation Battalion, out of Fort Hood, Texas, held a men's prayer breakfast Dec. 5 at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, as part of its effort to leave the community here better than they found it.

Dec 4, 2009

This month, 1.3 billion Muslims from around the world - over 7 million of them in the U.S., including 10,000 armed servicemembers - will begin observing activities associated with the annual religious pilgrimage, or Hajj, to the city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia. Hajj is the fifth of the five main "pillars" of the Islamic faith (the other "pillars" include the declaration of faith, five daily prayers, charity and fasting during the month of Ramadan). Hajj activities take place during six days, from the eighth to the 13th day of the Islamic lunar month of Dhul-Hijjah, the last month of the lunar year.

Dec 4, 2009

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Many Soldiers spend much of their lives giving of their time to others. Now is the time of year when efforts are being made to give something back to Soldiers and their Families. The Holiday Hearts Program, Operation Homefront Toy Shop and Chaplain Soldier and Family Fund are three projects that will make this Christmas warmer for military Families.

Dec 4, 2009

FORT SILL, Okla.--Enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday, the 2009 Operation Rising Star winner, Lisa Pratt, returned to some very familiar territory. Sunday she belted Miley Cirus' hit song "The Climb" at Lawton's First Assembly Church to a congregation that has heard her talents since she was 12 years old.

Dec 4, 2009

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. - Twenty-nine couples with the 198th Infantry Brigade laughed their way to a better marriage Nov. 20-22. Sponsored by Strong Bonds, a chaplain-led program designed to enrich and strengthen marriages, the weekend retreat centered on the theme of laughter with Mark Gungor's "Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage" teaching curriculum.

Dec 3, 2009

The Army has approved two-day and five-day workshops for unit leaders on Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, known as ASIST.

Dec 2, 2009

Every Wednesday, the rich smell of pepperoni, cheese and Italian spices from 30 to 40 pizzas wafts through Yano Hall. As 100 Advanced Individual Training students dive into the cheesy and meaty goodness, they learn more about the Bible, allowing them to feed body and soul at the same time.

Dec 2, 2009

Leaders from 2nd "Spartan" Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division celebrated togetherness, brotherhood and sisterhood during a prayer luncheon held at FOB Marez dining facility, Nov. 20.

Dec 1, 2009

WIESBADEN, Germany - One suicide intervention program compares suicidal thoughts to a strong river current that can sweep people into dangerous drop-offs.

Nov 30, 2009

Members of the Fort McPherson community took time to give thanks and build camaraderie during the U.S. Army Garrison Office of the Chaplain's Barracks and Single Soldiers Thanksgiving feast Nov. 19.

Nov 27, 2009

On Dec. 28, 1909, General Order No. 253 was published, establishing the official military occupational specialty of the chaplain assistant, stating that one enlisted man will serve to assist the chaplain in the performance of his official duties.

Nov 26, 2009

On Dec. 28, 1909, General Order No. 253 was published, establishing the official military occupational specialty of the chaplain assistant, stating that one enlisted man will serve to assist the chaplain in the performance of his official duties.

Nov 26, 2009

Chief of Chaplains Chap. (Maj. Gen.) Douglas L. Carver, accompanied by the Chief of Chaplains and Regimental Sgt. Maj. Tommy Marrero, left their families behind this Thanksgiving season and embarked on a journey to thank and praise Servicemembers throughout Iraq.

Nov 21, 2009

Recently, the Army released suicide statistics for the month of October and the total number of suicides, suspected and confirmed, for 2009. Data indicates the number of Soldiers taking their own lives has surpassed numbers recorded at the same time last year.

Nov 20, 2009

Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates Thursday announced the Defense Department will conduct a broad review of the Nov. 5 Fort Hood, Texas, shooting that left 13 dead and dozens injured.

Nov 19, 2009

Jewish cadet roots at the U.S. Military Academy stem back to the first graduating class in 1802, when Simon Magruder Levy of Baltimore finished second in the class. Since Levy's graduation, more than 900 Jewish cadets have matriculated from the grounds of West Point, while countless others have participated in the cadets' education in and out of the classroom.

Nov 19, 2009

Sitting in front of a computer and filling out a questionnaire sounds like a strange way to test fitness, but that's exactly how the Army will measure the fitness of the force as part of the new Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program.

Nov 18, 2009

UR, Iraq - More than 230 Soldiers with the 121st Brigade Support Battalion visited the archaeological remains of Ur, Nov. 12, near Contingency Operating Location Adder, Iraq.

Nov 13, 2009

FORT KNOX, Ky. - Members of Fort Knox's 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) and 233rd Transportation Company attended a Strong Bonds retreat Nov. 6-8 at Louisville's Galt House Hotel & Suites. The Strong Bonds retreat was organized and implemented by the 3d ESC chaplain's office and offered ways to increase individual Soldier and Family readiness and resiliency through relationship education and skills training. The retreats are planned quarterly and give single Soldiers and couples the opportunity to relax while receiving training.

Nov 13, 2009

In the aftermath of the Nov. 5 shootings, Soldiers, family members and civilians are looking for answers, but they're also looking for help. That help is available to anyone in need, no matter what the time.

Nov 13, 2009

BAMBERG, Germany - Although Chaplain (Capt.) Don Williamson calls Missoula, Mont., home, it was growing up in Connecticut where he first began developing vocally.

Nov 12, 2009

After 12 weeks of training, 28 Navy chaplains graduated from the first chaplain basic course at the new Naval Chaplaincy School and Center on Fort Jackson Friday.

Nov 11, 2009

The mournful and all too familiar scene of a bugler playing Taps occurred again here Tuesday as the Fort Hood community paid its respects to fallen warriors struck down last week allegedly at the hands of a lone gunman, who also happened to wear an Army uniform.

Nov 10, 2009

Vice President Joe Biden joined the Fort Lewis, Wash., community Tuesday to grieve the loss and honor the sacrifice of seven Soldiers from the 1st Battalion, 17th Infantry Regiment.

Nov 9, 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Readers of Mark Bowden's "Black Hawk Down" can put the book aside when they've had enough of their mind's reaction of the brutal 1993 battle of Mogadishu, Somalia. But Maj. Jeff Struecker, chaplain, isn't that lucky. The decorated Army Ranger was charged with leading the ground assault force on all the targets that the task force hit in Somalia. "I had been shot at and seen many dead warriors [before Mogadishu]," Struecker said. "I never experienced anything like the violence and the overwhelming sense of desperation like I experienced in Somalia.

Nov 9, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCATION Q-WEST, Iraq - The Special Troops Battalion, 15th Sustainment Brigade kicked off a weekly marriage enrichment class here Nov. 3.

Nov 9, 2009

Soldiers around the world are taking time to pause and honor those who were injured or killed in the tragic shooting on Fort Hood, Texas.

Nov 9, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCATION ADDER, Iraq - Soldiers at Contingency Operating Location Adder, Iraq, have a steady supply of caffeine, courtesy of God's Grounds, a cafAfA run by the chapel here.

Nov 8, 2009

Nov 7, 2009

Grieving Soldiers and family members gathered for a twilight vigil last night in remembrance of comrades and loved ones who were killed or wounded in the attack here, Nov. 5.

Nov 6, 2009

After a moment of silence for those killed in the shootings Nov. 5, at Fort Hood, Texas, Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh and Chief of Staff of the Army George W. Casey Jr. addressed Soldiers, family members and the press.

Nov 4, 2009

MOSUL, Iraq - The water looks calm and clear. A hand wraps around the metal railing of the step ladder. A foot dips down to test the temperature before committing to full emersion. A smiling face awaits the person preparing to enter the pool of water.

Nov 3, 2009

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - The fourth annual Soldier Appreciation Breakfast treated more than 300 Soldiers and family members to a hot meal at the Main Post Chapel Annex, here, Oct. 25.

Nov 2, 2009

BAGHDAD, Iraq- Soldiers stomp their boots on the marble floor, raise their voices and make some noise. This is how Chaplain (Capt.) Paul Barnett, from Wareham, Mass., 101st Engineer Battalion, 225th Engineer Brigade, likes to start his Sunday worship services at the Engineer Chapel, here, on Camp Liberty.

Nov 2, 2009

Thirty-five Soldiers of Rock Island Arsenal's Army Sustainment Command volunteered to work all day Oct. 17 at the Habitat for Humanity's 61st house in the Quad Cities area.

Oct 30, 2009

Fort Benning, Ga. - Meeting the religious needs of Soldiers is a priority for Fort Benning chaplains, said Chaplain (COL) Glenn Davis, post senior chaplain.

Oct 28, 2009

FORT BELVOIR, Va. - Twelve members of the U.S. military Family have been selected to compete in the final week of competition in the Operation Rising Star singing contest, scheduled for Nov. 14, 16, 18 and 20 at 8 p.m. in the Wallace Theater.

Oct 26, 2009

<b>What is it' </b> Strong Bonds is a unit-based, chaplain-led program which assists commanders in building individual resiliency by strengthening the Army family. The core mission of the Strong Bonds program is to increase individual Soldier and family member readiness through relationship education and skills training. Strong Bonds includes four subprograms applied across the Army Force Generation model: single-Soldier, couple, family, and deployment. Strong Bonds is conducted in an offsite retreat format in order to maximize the training effect. The retreat or "get away" provides a fun, safe, and secure environment in which to address the impact of relocations, deployments and military lifestyle stressors.

Oct 26, 2009

U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command's Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Kevin T. Campbell presented the Army Commendation Medal to Command Chaplain (Maj.) Kevin Pies in appreciation of his efforts with the Strong Bonds program.

Oct 22, 2009

Al Asad, Iraq - A 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team Chaplain, Capt. Michael Lanigan, interacts with Soldiers prior to their convoys every night before sending them off with a prayer.

Oct 22, 2009

Fort Dix, NJ ,Sept. 27, 2009 - "Earlier this year, I was informed that I had three more skin cancers on my ear and they were going to have to take my ear off," Chap. (Brig. Gen.) Eugene R. Woolridge, assistant chief of chaplains for mobilization and readiness, said during a sermon Sept. 27 at the Fort Dix Main Chapel. And they did.

Oct 21, 2009

In a room of 20 military spouses, about 15 raised their hands as Chaplain (Capt.) Josh Metz asked, "Who's gone through a deployment before'" The number wasn't surprising.

Oct 19, 2009

Soldiers, civilians and other attendees were asked to consider their purpose in life and to focus on maintaining a healthy life balance at the final Task Force Lightning Prayer Luncheon, sponsored by the 25th Infantry Division and hosted by the 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, at the South Dining Facility, Contingency Operating Base Speicher, Iraq, Oct. 11.

Oct 19, 2009

For the past 100 years Army chaplain assistants have been protecting and teaming up with chaplains to provide religious support for Soldiers and families across the full spectrum of military operations.

Oct 16, 2009

Oct 16, 2009

Story regarding spiritual fitness

Oct 14, 2009

CRYSTAL CITY, Va. (Oct. 8, 2009)-Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Michael Strohm, assigned to the Army Office of the Chief of Chaplains, and Chaplain (Col.) Bradford Fipps, a U.S. Army Forces Command Staff Chaplain, reached out to FORSCOM Family Readiness Group leaders today, offering information for the Strong Bonds curriculum. Strong Bonds is a commander-initiated-but chaplain-led-program designed to help strengthen relationships through skill-training for singles, couples, Families and deployment cycle support. All sub-programs aligned under this curriculum are focused on sustaining life-long relations and building up the future force, according to Strohm.

Oct 10, 2009

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - The role of the U. S. Army chaplain assistant can be traced back to the American Civil War. Officially, the military occupational specialty now identified as 56M began in 1909 when the Chief of Staff of the Army authorized that each chaplain have one enlisted Soldier assigned to him as an aid. One hundred years later, chaplain assistants still fill a crucial need by supporting their assigned chaplain in a broad range of areas, from secretarial work to physical protection.

Oct 10, 2009

KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Remote Forward Operating Base Baylough lies nestled beneath the mountains. During an evening in late May, the Soldiers attending a small service held by a visiting chaplain heard an explosion and felt the small, recreational building shaking. Believing they were under attack, the troops ran out of the service, wielding their weapons and ready to fight.

Oct 9, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE BASRA, Iraq - "As a civilian pastor I can't go to your office to check up on you, but as an Army chaplain, everywhere you go, that's where I am," said Maj. Michael J. King, chaplain, 17th Fires Brigade, from Vine Grove, Ky.

Oct 8, 2009

More than 200 Soldiers of the 189th Infantry Brigade and their Families. Brigade Chaplain, Lt. Col. Philip Futoran, hosted a "Strong Bonds," marriage and single Soldiers' seminar Sept. 25 to 27 at the Landmark Resort in Myrtle Beach, S.C. The marriage seminar was based on the book "Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families" by Stephen R. Covey.

Oct 6, 2009

1st AD bridges gap with family life chaplain

Oct 1, 2009

Sgt. Jason E. Boatwright, National Capital Region, knocks on the door to enter the Soldier of the Year Board at the Best Warrior Competition on Fort Lee, Va., Sept. 28, 2009. Soldiers participating in the competition are tested on mental endurance as well as physical.

Sep 25, 2009

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE ADDER, Iraq - You can find tucked away in a quiet corner of Contingency Operating Base Adder, next to the chapel, and near the cafeteria, an area of repose and comfort; an oasis called God's Grounds.

Sep 25, 2009

Sep 25, 2009

Chap. (Lt. Col.) Peter Brzezinski typically finds that 75 percent of the staff members briefed at the Madigan Army Medical Center New Employee Orientation knows someone who has committed suicide within the past five years. As a Presbyterian chaplain trained in helping people of all faiths on their spiritual journey through life, he knows that suicide is a "permanent solution to a temporary problem," as he calls it, and doesn't affect just those wearing the uniform. "Suicide in the military is more visible and noticeable because we are in a closed setting," said Brzezinski, chief of Madigan's Ministry and Pastoral Care. "The military is just a small microcosm of the epidemic occurring in society."

Sep 24, 2009

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Chaplains assigned to the 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment and the Brigade Special Troops Battalion sponsored a marriage retreat in Panama City Beach, Fla., for 72, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team Soldiers and their spouses, Sept. 12-14.

Sep 24, 2009

Stopping the suicide crisis drives the Ministry and Pastoral Care chaplains assigned to Madigan. Multiple deployments, break-ups, and death are just a few of the stresses that can lead Soldiers, retirees, Family members, Department of the Army civilians, or contractors - anyone with a tie to the military - to have suicidal thoughts. When someone commits suicide, it doesn't just affect close Family and friends, but the larger community as a whole. This is why Brzezinski, a Presbyterian chaplain, believes his job, his calling, is to communicate and educate everyone about suicide through the words of religion.

Sep 24, 2009

About 100 Muslim Soldiers gathered at the Joe E. Mann Center Sunday to celebrate Eid-Al-Fitr, which marks the end of Ramadan.

Sep 24, 2009

After three years of worshipping at the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School, Chapel Next has found a new home at Bayonet Chapel. The contemporary Christian congregation celebrated its first service there Sunday in front of a packed house.

Sep 21, 2009

Children scurried from floor to floor waving magic wands in front of treasure chests in hopes of completing the quest and earning the right to battle the dragon. The battle of dealing with the stresses of having a family member deployed were tackled in a series of talks during the Strong Bond three-day family retreat at the Great Wolf Lodge, Grand Mound, Wash., Aug. 26 to 28.