The Chaplaincy of the Alabama Army National Guard
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LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THE CHAPLAINCY OF THE ALABAMA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD A Thesis Project Submitted to Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree DOCTOR OF MINISTRY By Jimmy Black Lynchburg, Virginia May, 2003 Copyright 2003 Jimmy Black All rights reserved ii LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY THESIS PROJECT APPROV AL SHEET GRADE iii --- & ABSTRACT THE CHAPLAINCY OF THE ALABAMA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD Jimmy Black Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 2003 Mentor: Dr. Luke Kauffman A review of current literature demonstrates that very little information is known of the Alabama Army National Guard Chaplain Program. Sources provide the historical background of U.S. military chaplains. A survey of current chaplains in Alabama provides this project with statistical information illuminating the current status, and the project then reviews the job of chaplain in the Alabama Army National Guard. Recommendations address the treatment of chaplains, recruitment of new chaplains, and the education of chaplains. Abstract length: 77 words iv TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................... iv CHAPTER PAGE 1: INTRODUCTION 1 Statement of the Problem Statement of Method Survey Questions Statement of Limitations Review of Literature Military Abbreviations Definition of Terms Conclusion 2: mSTORY OF CHAPLAINS ..................................... 12 Before 1800 Chaplains During the 1800s Chaplains in the Early 1900s Post-World War II The 1980s to Now 3: TYPES OF CHAPLAINS ..................................... 60 Military Chaplains Other Types of Chaplains Associations of Chaplains 4: TODAYS CHAPLAINS IN THE ALABAMA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD .................................. 74 Personal Information on Chaplains Basic Duties Special Causes for Guard Units Conclusion 5: EVALUATION ............ 102 Military Recognition v Training Recruitment Requirements Conclusion APPENDIX A ................................................. 109 Survey form for Chaplains APPENDIXB ................................................. 112 Charts Showing Results of Survey Chart 1 Religious Mfiliations Chart 2 Chaplains' Ages Chart 3 Educational Background Chart 4 Music Chart 5 Civilian Occupations Chart 6 Previous Military Service BIBUOGRAPHY ............................................. 119 VITA .................... ~ ................................... 126 vi CHAPTERl INTRODUCTION The purpose of this research project is to provide an overview of the chaplain program of the Alabama Army National Guard by chronicling the history of chaplains, surveying current chaplains, and reviewing current recruiting techniques. Currently the Guard is made up of chaplains with many different backgrounds, denominations, and full-time vocations. Some of the members were enlisted for a number of years before becoming a chaplain. Others enter the chaplain candidate program while still in school and progress to becoming a chaplain. An evaluation of this program will be useful and informative to those who recruit as well as those serving in the chaplain capacity. Some chaplains come off active duty for various reasons and join the chaplain program of the Alabama Army National Guard. These chaplains are experienced in military life and are an asset to their organization. The last area that will be analyzed is denomination and vocation. Baptists are believed to have the most chaplains in the National Guard. This project will be able to determine how many chaplains are in each denomination and religious organization. The survey will also show who chaplains are, why they become chaplains, and what they do as chaplains. --- 2 Statement of the Problem The Alabama National Guard has not established the long range goals of its chaplain program. The absence of long-range goals presents a problem in the recruitment of new chaplains. Research shows a majority of chaplains will reach retirement age within the next decade. This indicates a need for chaplains in the future. Simply put, too few people know about the program. Alabama has the largest chaplain program of any state in the United States. This project will evaluate the Alabama Army National Guard chaplain program by analyzing denomination, age, vocation, and worship services. The duties each chaplain performs and the differences among chaplains will also be examined and evaluated. Statement of Method A survey was developed by the author and was given to each of the chaplains in the Alabama National Guard on September 27,2000, at Fort McClellan. The chaplains were instructed on the importance of the survey and were given 30 minutes to complete it. After the survey was given, the surveys were collected, and the research began. Being present at the meeting eliminated surveys not being returned and provided more data with which to work. The historical record of the duty of chaplains is chronicled in Chapter 2. Using printed resources, the author will show the development of the chaplaincy program throughout history. Chapter 2 will show the different types of chaplains that have emerged over time and their specialized areas. 3 The results of the questionnaire that was distributed to the Alabama National Guard chaplains will be used to document facts in Chapters 3 and 4. The questionnaire asked questions from age and education to denomination and vocation. Chapter 3 concentrates on the types of people who are attracted to the chaplaincy. Chapter 4 focuses on why these men have chosen this as part of their military career. Using the survey results, journal articles, and military pamphlets, the author .will analyze the scope of the chaplain's actual job in the military environment and offer suggestions for the recruitment of new members to this program. Survey Questions The following questions were developed and designed with the express purpose of obtaining information about the current chaplains' experience in the National Guard, education, age, and responsibilities. The questions are as follows: How long have you been a chaplain in the Alabama National Guard? How old are you now? What is your other vocation? What is your denomination affiliation? Were you on active duty as a chaplain before joining the Guard? Yes or No If yes, in which branch did you serve, and how many years did you serve? Were you an enlisted person before becoming a chaplain? Yes or No What theological training have you completed? How would you describe your preaching style? Do you offer communion in the worship services? 4 Do you have musical accompaniment in your worship services? Are you willing to hold services other than on drill days? Do you counsel with Guard members? Do you counsel with Guard members' families? Do you visit in the homes of Guard members? Do you visit Guard members when in the hospital? Do you perform marriages for Guard members? Do you take part in Family Day? Do you pray with the company officers? In your opinion, what is the most important function you perform as a Guard chaplain? Statement of Limitations A limitation is that this project will only deal with the Alabama National Guard chaplains and not those of other organizations. Another limitation is that only current chaplains were consulted. Neither retired personnel nor those interested in the chaplain program were included in the survey. Review of Literature A review of literature can be divided into four sections. These are military pamphlets, journal articles, Internet sources, and published dissertations. A great source on chaplain training is the Army Regulation pamphlet "Chaplain Training Strategy." 1 This pamphlet provides a training and education strategy for 1 Chaplain Training Strategy, September 1, 1998, Pamphlet 165-17, United States Army. 5 chaplains. It identifies the Chief of Chaplains' vision and training philosophy. It outlines the functions of different components and organizations in ensuring the training is provided. The Army Regulation Pamphlet "Chaplain Activities in the United States Army" 2 details the policies on religious activities in the Army. The Chaplain Candidate Program is explained fully, and the training, moral leadership, and management of information are addressed. A chaplain must be an inspiring leader; otherwise, he has no purpose in the military. Chaplain Robert G. Leroe in the Military Chaplains' Review sheds light on leadership in his journal article "Preaching and Worship." Leroe stresses the impOltance of preaching good sermons and being a mentor to soldiers. Other qualities that are important, according to Leroe, are good listening skills and trustworthiness. Without these qualities soldiers cannot rely on their chaplain.3 An important part of the chaplain's job is counseling soldiers during times of war. Chaplain Granville Tyson explains the stress of war on men and women in his journal article "Medical Ethics" in the Military Chaplains' Review. Tyson explains the difference and significance of physical and emotional scars from war. Tyson also expounds upon the chaplain's role of dealing with soldiers who are dealing with these pressures.4 2 Chaplain Activities in the United States Army, March 27, 1998, Army Regulation 165-1, United States Army. 3Robert Leroe, "Preaching and Worship," Military Chaplains Review Winter 1992. 4 Granville Tyson, "Medical Ethics" Military Chaplains Review Spring 1991. -- 6 A website that was most useful in this research is www.professiona1chaplains.org. This source explains the history of the word "chaplain." It also sheds light