At the brigade level and below, the Unit Ministry Team (UMT), is comprised of a chaplain; an officer, and a chaplain assistant; an enlisted Soldier. Unit Ministry Teams serve at brigade level and above but not all organizations are assigned both a chaplain and chaplain assistant. The chaplain and chaplain assistant work together to facilitate religious support for Soldiers, Family members and authorized Army civilians. UMTs serve in the U.S. Army National Guard, U.S Army Reserve and the active component.
Each Unit Ministry Team is unique. Chaplains come from diverse religious backgrounds and possess distinctive approaches to providing religious support. Chaplain Assistants also bring unique qualifications and skills to the process of providing religious support. The Army benefits from the diversity in the Chaplain Corps which reflects the diversity in our formations.
Unit Ministry Teams have two basic capabilities. The first capability is (professional military) serving in the role of religious leader. In this role, UMTs "perform or provide" religious support to Soldiers, Family Members and Department of Army Civilians. If a chaplain cannot directly perform religious support, a referral is made to another chaplain who provides support. Chaplains cooperate with each other, without compromising their religious tradition or endorsement, ensuring comprehensive religious support. UMTs conduct various religious support programs and services that accommodate a Soldier's right to the free exercise of religion. UMTs also provide care in time of crisis and counseling for individuals and couples in an effort to promote resilience and sustain the force.
The second capability is (professional military) serving in the role of religious advisor. In this role, UMTs advise commanders on the impact of religion as it pertains to mission accomplishment. Unit Ministry Teams also assist commanders in assessing the impact of the human dimension on operations and mission accomplishment.
Commanders also rely on UMTs to assess unit morale and to provide recommendations to sustain or improve morale. In addition, Unit Ministry Teams also assess the moral and ethical climate of an organization and make recommendations to strengthen the character of the organization.
As religious leaders and religious advisors, the Army Chaplain Corps is a force multiplier for the U.S. Army.
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