Chaplain team builds faith with Airmen

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Sam Salopek
  • 349th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
Travis Air Force Base, Calif. --  The room was consumed in a buzz of a tense anticipation. The hushed whispers set a fast pulse as Citizen Airmen stressed to complete all necessary preparations for the imminent Patriot Wyvern scenario. He smiled while entering the room. Kindness is not second nature, but his first. As he moved deeper into the office of the 349th Aeromedical Staging Squadron, the mood shifted. Though still maintaining their urgency, the reservists were put at ease.

For Chaplain (Maj.) Matthew Ellis, 349th Air Mobility Wing chaplain, interacting with military members during exercises helps build relationships and a healthy level of comfort for Airmen.

Chaplain Ellis and fellow 349th AMW chaplain teams were accompanied by the Air Force Reserve Command chaplain team as they participated in exercise scenarios Travis Air Force Base, California, Feb. 11.

One of the difficulties for the Chaplain Corps is having the ability to spend time and build trust with the Airmen, said Ellis.
Fighting against time is the battle for these noncombatants.

Chaplains struggle to balance mission requirements while nurturing positive connections with Airmen, said Ellis. 
Exercises such as Patriot Wyvern give chaplains an opportunity to integrate with Airmen.

Ellis worked with the 349th ASTS Airmen during the transportation of communicable disease victims scenario, and later rode in a convoy with the 349th Security Forces Squadron.   

“You’ll find that we are very creative on how we visit work centers,” said Chief Master Sgt. Darmel Richardson, AFRC individual mobilization augmentee chaplain assistant functional manager. “We take advantage of formations where we can expose who we are, so we can develop a rapport with Airmen.” 

Engaging with Airmen is pinnacle to the success of the Chaplain Corps operations. 

“We have to continually assess the needs of the Airmen and get feedback to modify our mission set to serve their needs,” said Richardson.
Patriot Wyvern allowed Airmen to interact with their chaplain team, and gain shared experiences that acquaint them to this personal resource. 

Using occasions like Patriot Wyvern to cultivate familiarity can increase an individual’s opportunity to express concern or discuss private issues with the Chaplain Corps.  

“Chaplains and chaplain assistants alike offer complete confidentiality, so counseling can be sought without any formal repercussion,” said Richardson. 

Though a resource for all Airmen, the Chaplain Corps’ purpose can be  misinterpreted.

There is a myth that chaplains are only for people who are spiritual, religious or Christians, and that’s very much not the case, said Ellis.
It is a chaplain’s duty to provide protection for Airmen’s first amendment rights.

The Chaplain Corps is about allowing individuals to express their own faith, whatever that may be, said Richardson.
 
Chaplain (Col.) Randy A. Marshall, AFRC deputy command chaplain, provided mentorship and guidance to his fellow chaplains in addition to engaging with Airmen during his visit. 

Chaplains need words of encouragement too, they need to know that they are valued, said Marshall.

 “Ministry is people,” said Marshall. “When we forget that, we’ve forgotten our whole mission.”

"The 349th AMW chaplain office is located upstairs in Bldg. 228," said Ellis. "Come by and let the Chaplain Team know if there is any way that they can serve you, your unit or your family."