FORT HOOD, Texas - As a child, walking two miles every Sunday to get to and from church might give certain individuals misgivings about the weekly ritual. But, for Gaston, N.C. native, Maj. Joshua Pair, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Chaplain, it was well worth it.
The weekly church services, along with his parents deep faith gave rise to Pair's own devotion to God. And, the faith that began as a child carried with him into adulthood.
The weight of this faith gave Pair a feeling of responsibility.
"I have a duty to go out and minister to the people," said Pair.
And pair has been ministering faithfully to Army Soldiers since his commissioning as a chaplain in 1993, following many years of service in both the U.S. Army Reserves and the Virginia National Guard.
It was during his service in the National Guard that Pair found time to attend Richmond Virginia Seminary, where he received his Master of Divinity in Religion Education.
"I felt like becoming a preacher was my duty toward God," said Pair.
Since Pair's commission it has been a long road to where he is now.
After completing his Chaplain's Officer Basic Course in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, he returned to the reserves where he served another five years.
In 1998 Pair received orders to active duty as a battalion chaplain for the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, out of Fort Carson, Colo.
Since then, Pair has moved around the country to serve as chaplain for other units.
It has not always been an easy road for Pair.
"My wife and children supported me," said Pair. "They pushed me into continuing to move forward."
And move forward he has, all the way to leading six other chaplains who serve in the battalions that make up the 2nd BCT.
"He brings a very pastoral, godly aura with him," said 1st Lt. Jay Hudson, chaplain for the 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. "He keeps us focused on the ministry of being a chaplain."
Pair's duties as 2nd BCT chaplain include prayer luncheons, spiritual runs, training younger chaplains and much more. This is all in addition to his primary mission: ministering the Soldiers and their families. And, he has encouraged his chaplains to understand the importance of the Soldiers they serve.
"He has challenged me to always put the soldiers and their needs first," said Hudson.
But, where does Pair go from here'
"I see myself becoming a division chaplain," said Pair.
The good-natured and devout Pair is someone any Soldier can look to for support. It is easy to see why he makes such a great and successful chaplain. The Soldiers of 2nd BCT can rest assured their spiritual needs are in good hands.
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