A gift to celebrate the centennial of the Office of the Chief of Chaplains

By Eric JorgensenJuly 15, 2020

U.S. Army Chaplain (Colonel) Robert Nay
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U. S. Army Chaplain (Colonel) Robert Nay displays his new book, entitled, “Leadership and Transformation of the Army Chaplaincy During WWII: DOTMLPF-P as an Assessment Tool for Religious Support.” (Photo Credit: Photo Illustration, US Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

As the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps celebrates the centennial of the establishment of the U.S. Army Office of the Chief of Chaplains (OCCH) on 15 July 1920, the Corps is pleased to announce the release of Chaplain (Colonel) Robert Nay’s new book, entitled, “Leadership and Transformation of the Army Chaplaincy During WWII: DOTMLPF-P as an Assessment Tool for Religious Support.” Chaplain Nay produced the book as a gift to the Corps.

While examining the Army Chaplaincy during World War II, Chaplain Nay focuses on Chaplain (Major General) William Arnold, who was the Army Chief of Chaplains from December 23, 1937, to February 14, 1945. During that period, Chaplain Arnold oversaw the greatest transformation of the Army Chaplaincy since the Chaplain Corps’ inception in 1775. The changes Chaplain Arnold implemented preceded the Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, Personnel, Facilities, and Policy (DOTMLPF-P) framework now found in the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS); but Chaplain Arnold understood the importance of all the elements represented in that framework.

Chaplain Arnold’s transformational accomplishments enhanced the capabilities the Chaplain Corps delivered to the Army, in providing timely and effective support for soldiers of all religious faith groups and of no religious affiliation at all, and in advising commanders on issues of religion, morals, and morale. Those enhancements and that transformation 75 years ago are a model for the organizational transformation the Chaplain Corps is undertaking today, as the members of the Corps strive to care for the soul of the Army during our current challenging times, while working to equip the Corps to be prepared to care for the soul of the Army in the decades ahead.

A link to a free electronic copy of Chaplain Nay's book is available below.

Leadership and Transformation of the Army Chaplaincy During WWII (OCCH 15 July 2020).pdf [PDF - 8.7 MB]