Saint Martin's Cloak

Chaplains are religious ministry professionals whose expert knowledge and skills are defined solely by their endorsing bodies. They are also Army professionals who share the professional identity, ethos , and knowledge base of the profession of arms. The Army chaplaincy, however, also has its own unique identity and ethos which shape the profession. The professional identity of the Army chaplain is also shaped by the stories which the chaplaincy tells. Stories tell us who we are and they provide the lens through which we look at life. Story and logic work on different levels. Narrative reaches people in a way that logical discourse does not. Post-modern philosophers label identity-bearing stories as "meta-narrative". Meta-narrative is not simply a collection of facts or legends; it is a selective telling of a connected, multifaceted story built around a more-or-less consistent theme. The typical telling of the American story, for example, includes stories of pilgrims...

In modern usage, the word ethos has come to describe the distinguishing character of institutions and groups. Ethos is the spirit of a people as embodied in their ideas and customs. Like the Latin term mores , it describes a society’s norms, virtues and values. What comprises the distinctive ethos of the Army chaplaincy?  The Army chaplaincy already has the foundation of a shared ethos; it just doesn't call it by that name. Army Regulation 165-1 (Army Chaplain Corps Activities, 3 Dec 2009) names three "principles" under which chaplains operate: Nurture the Living Care for the Wounded Honor the Dead Army doctrine (FM 1-05, Religious Support , October 2012) classifies these as "religious support competencies." When unpacked, these principles provide the philosophical foundation for a universal chaplain ethos that transcends theological and ecclesiastical differences. The principles are rooted in the dignity of every human being. We honor the dead becaus...

One part of the " something else " which chaplains offer the Army family is sometimes described as “spiritual leadership,” to distinguish it from what chaplains do for their religious constituencies. Over the last two decades, the Army has talked about “spiritual fitness” or “spiritual readiness.” The word “spiritual” is both helpful and problematic. For many people, "spiritual" is a broader and more inclusive word than religion. The use of the word "spiritual," however, has proved to be offensive to both the non-religious - who would never use the word - and to some who are deeply religious - who understand the word "spiritual" to be filled with specific theological content. To many, "spiritual" and "religious" are synonyms. There is, in fact, no religious understanding of spirituality that is common across ecclesiastical boundaries. I'm not sure there is a way for the government to talk about spirituality in a way that s...

Over the history of the U.S. Army, the chaplain has come to have a unique place within the Army family. Chaplains are professional soldiers and religious ministry professionals. While relatively few Soldiers attend on-post chapel services, many more address their chaplains as "padre" and look to them for support. Most members of the Army family have come to expect that chaplains are there to care for them regardless of their religious affiliation. One will not watch much television on the Armed Forces Network before the message "call your chaplain" appears. The Army expects chaplains to be able to help Soldiers coping with loneliness, the emotional wounds of war, family problems, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse, gambling addictions and a host of other problems. Some members of the Army family, in fact, may erroneously believe that chaplains offer behavioral health treatment. While chaplains are not behavioral health providers, they do offer all members of the Arm...