FORT MYER, Va. – More than 200 chaplains, religious affairs specialists, directors of religious education, and others from across the total Army, gathered for the Religious Leader Symposium 10 at the Memorial Chapel at Fort Myer, Va., June 21-22.
The Religious Leader Symposium supports the Chaplain Corps priorities of “People and Community,” and enables Chaplain Corps leaders to ensure their teams remain on the cutting edge of ministry, especially in connection with the chief of staff of the Army’s “Focus on People.”
The theme for RLS 10 was “Embracing Change: Transition & Transformation.” The agenda includes presentations, Q&As, discussion groups, and social events.
“We are in the middle of transition which is no secret to anyone, and it’s important to know that we’ve done this before,” said Chaplain (Brig. Gen.) William Green Jr., the Army deputy chief of chaplains. “But we are still being called upon to lead—so lead. If I’m setting a tone, it’s a tone of shared leadership and being engaged.
“As we go through transformation, we will continue to care for the soul of the Army,” Green said. “We will make sure we stay focused on our mission, and we will continue to explore creative ways of doing business as the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps.”
Green highlighted one of the recent transformation efforts: “On June 1, we cut the ribbon on the [U.S. Army] Institute for Religious Leadership [at Fort Jackson, S.C.],” he said. The USA-IRL, formerly the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School, exemplifies the future of the Chaplain Corps in strengthening the training and development of religious leaders and tending to the spiritual needs of the Army.
“While we continue to lead and transform, I ask you to think about individual change,” Green said and challenged the group to tap into their sense of calling. “If I’m not spiritually fit, if I don’t know where I stand on my sense of calling, and if I don’t tap into the passion that I had years ago when I raised my hand to ‘support and defend the Constitution of the United States of America,’ then I am not ready.
“The only way we are going to accomplish the mission is together,” he continued. “I solicit your prayers, but also your mind, your energy, your effort that you bring to the table, so that we can get about the business of transforming our Corps. We want to remain relevant and ready to provide first rate religious support to our Soldiers and their family members.”
Sgt. Maj. Meaghan Bicklein, the regimental sergeant major of the Chaplain Corps, encouraged the chaplains to speak up in meetings and be a leader when advising their ranking officers. “Fight for your seat at the table,” she encouraged. “Figure out how to integrate our mission and being present in the room for those that we advise.”
Retired Army Chaplain (Colonel) Scottie Lloyd, president of the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Regimental Association, provided an overview of USACCRA and shared the importance of chaplains creating a personal relationship with the Army members that they serve. Specifically, he spoke about how in-person connections are the most important. “There is no replacement for physical, in-person communication. Virtual doesn’t help us develop deep and meaningful relationships,” he said.
Retired Army Captain John Arroyo, spoke about the importance of individual change. He shared his story about what it was like to walk away from a life of crime and gangs that he grew up in, to join the military, and then to be a survivor of the 2009 Fort Hood shooting. He explained that the events he witnessed and the challenges that he endured gave him more clarity on what it takes to transform as a person; and it starts with forgiveness. “Forgive those who hurt you so you can achieve your best transformation,” he said. “If you do not deal with the difficult things in life, you won’t go through a transformation.”
Eric Baxter, senior counsel and vice president of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, explained the importance of cultural change through the practice of religious freedom. He spoke about the importance of Soldiers not only having access to religious resources, if they desire them, but it is equally important to not force religious materials and rules on those who don’t seek them. “Religious freedom grants us all the right to practice as we see fit, but it also protects people from religion being forced on them,” he said.
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