In times of war a chaplain's role becomes especially significant, due to the many deployments and what Soldiers today face. The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment's chaplain works trains with the fellow "Brave Rifles" to ensure the regiment's spiritual fitness.
Almost 30 years ago Chap. (Maj.) Claude Brittian entered the U.S. Army as an infantryman. This warm, sunny Sunday morning, he's giving a stirring sermon at the U.S. National Training Center as the regimental chaplain, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment.
Before the morning's first service, winds force open the tent's front door, letting in sand, before the same winds force the door shut. The chaplain's assistant completes preparations for the service, making sure nothing is overlooked. He silently passes out prayer sheets as Soldiers, some with Bibles in hand, take their seats on one of the many folding chairs.
The chaplain kneels in front of the Bible on the desk at the rear of the tent. He moves forward and begins his passionate service. Everyone in attendance listens attentively to every word he has to say.
Brittian said the mission of the chaplain at the National Training Center is to take care of Soldiers' spiritual needs and to make sure there is free exercise of religion.
When it comes to providing servicemembers with spiritual support, Brittian takes his role very seriously. The role of the chaplain is one of tremendous responsibility.
"The ability to influence others is impactful," he said. "It's being there to help folks start the journey, and walk with them as they are going through the journey; they need to know that there is somebody that is always there to stand in their corner."
Brittian stated that it's just as necessary to protect the Soldiers' rights to religious freedom as it is when it's part of their mission to go overseas and do the same for others.
Brittian said the chaplain is there for his Soldiers to "pray with them when they are hurting, to help their families, to pray with leadership when they have to send Soldiers into harm's way, and to encourage them during difficult times, in troubled times."
"The chaplain can be a sense of peace in the midst of a storm," said Brittian.
For this NTC rotation, Brittian has other chaplains who work under him, and all of them are there to train and take part in the exercise scenarios.
"We can get killed just like anybody else (in the exercise)," Brittian said as he gestured to the Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System harness on his chest.
The chaplain does not work alone. He or she has a chaplain's assistant for support during missions, worship services and everyday activities.
Senior Chaplain's Assistant Sgt. 1st Class Andre Pettaway, Regimental Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd ACR, said their mission at NTC is to provide religious support and to facilitate the free exercise of religion throughout the spectrum of operations, according to the First Amendment of the Constitution.
Pettaway said he's been a chaplain's assistant for 20 out of his 23 years in the Army; his first three years were spent as a field artillery cannoneer.
"Religion is vital to Soldiers in today's Army," Pettaway said. "If a Soldier is spiritually fit, it doesn't matter what type of mission you give him, how complex the mission is, or how difficult the circumstances may be around the mission - whether it be it environmental or physical - if the Soldier has spiritual well-being, not only will that Soldier accomplish the mission, but he will exceed the standard of what's expected because of spiritual fitness."
According to the 2009 Army posture statement, the Army recognizes that spiritual fitness is one component of the total Comprehensive Soldier Fitness Program. The CSF Program was established to increase the resilience of Soldiers and Families by developing their strengths in all important domains: emotional, social, spiritual, and Family, in addition to physical.
"One of the things we as chaplains have to look out for is the diversity of faithful," he said. "The intent is not for all of us to be in agreement with one another, but it is intended to make sure that we provide for the free exercise of religion, not just for Christian or Jewish, but for all Soldiers."
The Army provides religious accommodations even in the absence of a same-faith chaplain.
"If we cannot perform, then we will provide." Brittian said. "We make available a place so that they can come and worship, making sure that they are not being harassed or ostracized."
Regimental Chaplain's Assistant Pfc. Kira Thomas, RHHT, 3rd ACR, said her mission at NTC is to help the chaplain offer moral and religious support to the Soldiers in her regiment of any denomination.
"We try to keep their morale up," said Thomas. "Not everyone likes to be in the field, being away from their family and friends."
"Every chaplain in the regiment has one chaplain's assistant." she said, "We make sure Soldiers are taken care of, make sure they know who their chaplain is so they can go to him at any time, even if they don't have an issue."
When he sees Soldiers are going through times of stress, Brittian advises them to set a goal they can achieve while they're away (in the field or combat zone).
"While I am at here at NTC my goal is to lose weight; another goal might be to read a book while out in the field," Brittian said.
"If you focus on just the problem, or what is giving you stress, you don't always see the good that is happening around you," he said.
Pettaway spoke of the training at NTC, "We are put in realistic wartime situations to make sure that we are proficient with our chaplain's assistant tasks, in the field or a wartime environment. The first priority is the chaplain's security."
"Chaplain's assistants are not 'duds.' They do more than hand out Bibles. We have to perform all of the warrior tasks and drills like any other Soldier does," Pettaway said.
"There are chaplain's assistants in the Army that are Rangers and even some in the Special Forces," he said.
The chaplain's assistant is a combatant, said Pettaway.
"Chaplains are the religious leaders. The chaplain's assistants logistically and administratively support the chaplain in their ministry. We are also the Soldier behind the scenes that protects them, keeps them alive, in the battlefield."
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