Fort Riley Garrison chaplain shares thoughts on his role in the Army

By Maria Childs, Fort Riley Public AffairsMay 5, 2016

Fort Riley Garrison chaplain shares thoughts on his role in the Army
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RILEY -- The Junction City and Geary County Military Affairs Council met for their monthly breakfast at the Geary County Convention Center April 28. The guest speaker for this month's meeting was Chaplain (Col.) Keith Croom, the Fort Riley garrison chaplain.

Croom provided information about what being a chaplain in the Army is all about. He began by explaining the history of chaplains. In 1775, chaplains were originally called on to serve during times of war to support troops.

"We really are pastors in uniform," Croom said.

He explained a chaplain's key roles are to be a spiritual leader which means leading Bible studies, performing baptisms and weddings and providing any kind of religious support to anyone in the community. Each chaplain represents a different faith, but they have a common feature -- being pastors in uniform.

"We can all stand up here and lock arms because we are trying to take care of Soldiers," Croom said.

To become a chaplain in the Army, there is a requirement of possessing a four-year college degree, three years of seminary and completed two years of an internship.

Croom said the importance of a chaplain to a commander is invaluable. Although commanders may not have the time to dedicate to Soldiers, commanders trust chaplains to pay attention to specific needs of Soldiers.

"We are the ones that can afford to think individually and see the needs of the individual Soldier and commanders trust us to do that," Croom said.

Croom has been at Fort Riley for more than a year, but will be departing soon to go to the war college.

Retired Col. John Seitz, director of military affairs for the Chamber of Commerce, said this breakfast was the perfect opportunity for Croom to share his experience as a chaplain serving at Fort Riley.

"I told him he was going to the war college to show the other guys what a good chaplain is all about, and I really believe that," Seitz said. "Fort Riley has been blessed with great chaplains."

Seitz said there are about eight monthly breakfasts a year. The purpose of the MAC breakfast is to bring together people from the surrounding communities and listen to someone who has an interesting topic to share.

"It's an opportunity for the community to get to know people at Fort Riley, and the people at Fort Riley to get to know the community -- it's building relationships," Seitz said.

Croom ended his speech with what he loves most about being a chaplain -- serving Soldiers and their families, while at home or deployed.

"The Army chaplains -- from day one, we have been where you guys are at, and that's what I love about it," Croom said. "We sweat with you, we cry with you, we bury you, we marry you -- we are there for you. You are literally our church and chaplains take that seriously."