Preparing Clergy For War
Preparing Clergy for War Explosions in woods simulate the battlefield as an instructor barks commands. “You are not following simple instructions! Cover me while I move! Got you covered! Let’s go!” This is the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, where the Army trains clergy of all faiths how to survive in combat. Once many of these chaplains complete this modified basic training they will head to war in Afghanistan and Iraq, where the explosions and gunfire are not simulated. Here at Fort Jackson, on a range in the woods, there is a bevy of broken down cars and trucks to simulate an urban battlefield. The army says being a chaplain in combat is among the most dangerous jobs because the chaplains move from base to base ministering to soldiers.
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Thanks for linking this article. I was the former Chaplain Officer Basic Course (CH-BOLC) training developer at the US Army Chaplain Center & School (USACHCS). This article identifies the importance and difficulty in conducting realistic training for our new Chaplains representing the Regular Army, National Guard and Reserve components. But it’s critical. I recently returned from my third deployment to the Middle East traveling throughout Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and Qatar visiting Soldiers, Airmen and DOD Civilians. Articles like this help inform others what challenges Chaplains face and most importantly, how to pray.
The link was accidentally omitted in the first post. The correct link is: http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/30/preparing-clergy-for-war-army-…
"Our task today is to tell people — who no longer know what sin is...no longer see themselves as sinners, and no longer have room for these categories — that Christ died for sins of which they do not think they’re guilty." - David Wells
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