Chaplains and Lethality
The social media account of an Army infantry battalion recently praised its chaplain for strengthening its lethality by fostering spiritual resilience through religious worship. This characterization of the chaplain’s ministry is inconsistent with the chaplain’s unique calling and non-combatant status. Through nearly 27 years of chaplain ministry, my church frequently reminded me that it did not send me to the Army to bless or facilitate violence. The Army (FM 3-0) defines lethality as “the capability and capacity to destroy” and firepower as its primary source. It is an attribute of Army formations. Insofar as the Army associates lethality with individual fitness (FM 7-22), it does so only in terms of physical training for strength, endurance, and speed. The Army becomes more lethal by training to become more lethal. The means include individual and collective training, training center rotations, command post exercises, professional military education, and other means, none of whic...