FORT POLK, La. — Being a family life chaplain is not your typical pastoral role. Just ask Chap. (Maj.) David Thompson who fills that role at the Fort Polk Religious Services Office.
“I’m a religious subject matter expert, a licensed and ordained minister, I’ve pastored church districts in Ontario, Canada and the Bronx, New York, so I’ve had strong congregational focus during the years I felt God called me to the ministry,” Thompson said. “But here I am in the military, focusing on areas of prevention, resilience and restoration.”
And Thompson said that’s just fine with him.
“I really enjoy what I do,” he said. “In a nutshell, I provide support for Soldiers and their family members who are navigating issues like deployment, stress, reintegration and relational strain. “
While standing in a pulpit and preaching in Sunday morning services is part of Thompson’s job, that’s what most people see as the military chaplain’s goal – being a spiritual leader for the military congregation. Thompson said that’s what garners the most attention among service members and their families. But, he adds, his job is much more than that.
“Most people don’t necessarily see what I do because it’s often done behind closed doors and not broadcast,” he said. “And because not many are aware of what a family life chaplain offers, they are often under used.”
With the high tempo faced by Fort Polk Soldiers as they train units for war and for war themselves, Thompson said stress is always facing them.
“Units rotate constantly, leaders carry immense responsibilities and Soldiers are training hard, and what often absorbs that pressure first?” Thompson asked. “I would say the family. When stress hits the soldiers at work, from 6 a.m. when they have PT to 6 p.m. or later in the motor pool, it’s a long workday. Who pays the price for that: The Family.”
Thompson said that can put a tremendous strain on a marriage relationship.
“This is why a family life chaplain is so important, especially at Fort Polk,” he said. “If the importance of training, deployments and maintaining physical fitness is not communicated well, then the family relationship plummets.”
That’s where the family life chaplain comes into play. Thompson said the chaplains create an environment and space for dialogue between the Soldier and his or her Family.
“You might think you communicate well with your spouse, but when stress enters the equation, communication can easily break down,” he said.
And when communication breaks down in the Family, Thompson said it could lead to a breakdown in the unit.
“When we meet with a Soldier, when we meet with a Family, we as family life chaplains are thinking, OK, if I can help them mitigate the stressors and issues in their relationship, then I’m not just helping them,” he said. “I’m also helping their kids, their first sergeant, the company commander, the battalion, it has a ripple effect.”
Which leads to stronger families, stronger Soldiers and unit cohesion, Thompson said.
To set up an appointment with Chap. (Maj.) Thompson call 914-552-4465.
Editor’s note: This is the first of a three-part series outlining the role of the Army’s family life chaplain program and its importance at Fort Polk. Next Guardian we’ll look at the role family life chaplains play in preparing unit ministry teams provide support to their respective unit.
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