FORT IRWIN, Calif. -- Fort Irwin recognized and awarded Soldiers serving as religious affairs specialists during the 114th anniversary celebration of religious affairs support to the Army on February 15 at Center Chapel, here.
The United States Army Forces Command (FORSCOM)’s command chaplain, Col. David Bowlus, and chief religious affairs noncommissioned officer, Sgt. Maj. Keisha D. Archer, attended the event as special guests with Archer as the event’s guest speaker.
Although the Army established the military occupation specialty chaplain assistant, which later changed to religious affairs specialists, on December 28, 1909, the belated anniversary celebration took place in February.
During her guest speech, Archer spoke to what she believes makes an effective religious affairs specialist.
“Self-development, good character, credibility, and reputation are paramount qualities to embody as we uphold the mission,” Archer said. “These attributes inspire trust and admiration among the ones we serve.”
Archer recognized and awarded Pfc. Justin Ortiz, a religious affairs specialist for the 916th Support Brigade, with a certificate of achievement for his role in preparing the Rotational Unit Bivouac Area (RUBA) chapel for rotational chaplains to provide religious support to rotational Soldiers.
For Ortiz, the religious affairs specialist career aligned with his values, he said.
“I knew as soon as my recruiter read the description that this was the job for me,” Ortiz said. “Being a people person and loving to help others makes this job worth it.”
The celebration recognized current religious affairs specialists for their efforts while also remembering past religious affairs specialists for their historical strides made in the role and honored some that paid the ultimate sacrifice with their lives.
Sgt. James Graydon, the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, U.S. Army Garrison - Fort Irwin religious affairs NCO, offered a tribute as he read a brief biography on Cpl. Calvin Pearl Titus.
"Cpl. Titus was the only religious affairs specialist to receive the Medal of Honor for his bravery and selflessness during the Battle of Peking of the Boxer Rebellion," Graydon said.
Several speakers highlighted the emphasis on the partnership between a chaplain and their respective religious affairs specialists or NCO during the ceremony.
Bowlus said he’s a firm believer of the quote, “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
“As the Army seeks to build readiness around war fighting, we recognized that spiritual readiness is also vital,” Bowlus said. “The Army has gifted chaplains with vital team members and that is our religious affairs specialists.”
The event concluded with a small reception and cake cutting ceremony.
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