CASEY GARRISON - Maj. Gen. Douglas L. Carver, Chief of Chaplains, Pentagon, recognized and commended the work the chaplains and chaplains' assistants are doing in Korea at a luncheon held April 19 at the USAG-Casey Indian Head Golf Course. Carver visited Korea to see the different types of work chaplains and chaplains' assistants are conducting in Korea compared to what Soldiers in the same job field do stationed in the United States.
"Everyone speaks about how great of an assignment Korea is, and I have to agree," Carver said. "Korea is a great place to serve and a well kept secret. Every time we come we fall more in love with this great land. The Soldiers morale is high and the Korean people and their culture make Korea a rewarding assignment."
Carver spoke during the luncheon about how the chaplains and chaplains' assistants are doing and praised them on the hard work they have done while stationed in Korea.
Carver explained while serving as the division chaplain he had a million things to do, and told everyone present at the luncheon he understands what they are going through.
"My concern for you as chaplains and chaplains' assistants is you will not grow weary because you are in high demand," he said. "I know you are being pulled on and looked on by all positions and I would just ask you to take care of yourself physically, mentally, and most of all spiritually, because I see the troubles Chaplains and chaplains' assistants face."
"Chaplains and chaplains' assistants need to be wise, good at multitasking and listening, because as chaplains and chaplains' assistants, we are challenged in a hundred different directions on any given day of the week and we have to respond with wisdom," said Pfc. Jeffrey Sanders, Headquarters and Headquarters Company USAG-RC chaplain's assistant. "We had a suicide attempt and there were no chaplains around, so we had to get there fast to help the Soldier. We did not know what triggered him; it could have been anything: financial problems, personal issues back at home with his family, health or mental issues. This time we did not know, and once we did, we as chaplains and chaplain's assistants had to get that Soldier the help he needed to complete the mission. This is just one of the many things we are faced with as chaplains and chaplains' assistants."
Carver elaborated more about Sander's outlook on being a good listener, stressing how all chaplains and chaplains' assistants need to listen to God and fulfill his mission as well as the Army's.
"Life is a journey from absurdity to obedience so we can serve and help others," Carver said. "If I am not hearing what God is saying today, and my chaplains are not hearing what God is saying today, what are we telling our Soldiers'"
"It is not about being a Chief of Chaplains or a chaplain, it is about being obedient to God, and I want to hear what God is saying because we are charged to speak words that strengthen and comfort the soul and maybe save lives," he said.
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