I'm going to throw out an odd question for an aviation forum. I'm curious what you all think about the chaplains that serve your units. I have a few friends who are chaplains, and most find that the pilots are usually the hardest group of people on base with which to build credibility and camaraderie, especially if they have never flown. They seem to not be able to relate to the mentality of a pilot, nor understand the job and the stresses that go along with it.

Please leave out all opinions about religious preference and respect the rules of the forum in your responses. I'm not looking to have a discussion on religion.

What are some things you liked about the good chaplains, and things you disliked about the bad ones? What are some ways that your chaplains could serve you better? What do y'all think about having a chaplain's office in your squadron?

 

I have never heard of chaplains being in individual squadrons (Navy). Most are at the Wing IIRC.

 

That may be true in the Navy. On the Air Force side of the house, some chaplains, with the commander's approval, are starting to move offices out to the maintenance, hospital, flying, and security forces squadrons. Instead of having to go to the chapel to talk to a chaplain, the chaplains have offices next door to the first shirt. The Org chart doesn't change, they just move their office in an attempt to have a ministry of presence.

 

In the Guard, he's a wing chaplain...very nice guy...I have never had to use their services but I'm glad to know he's there if I need him...I think pilots are type A/hard a$$ types (esp. in the military) so getting into their "clique" isn't the easiest thing but I've never heard of a chaplain being "shunned" by the Ops guys. We used to have one that would jumpseat as much as he could, he loved to fly but it got to the point where he was a bit annoying...you know the type that has 15 hours in a Cessna and feels it's nec. to tell you how to fly your big jet...

 

In the USMC the chaplains are assigned to the HQ units and visit the squadrons on occasion, some more than others. A few years ago, my wing chaplain was a former Navy A-6 pilot. Needless to say, we saw him around the squadron more than any other chaplain before or since. He helped me when I was going through a bad time, so I'd love to see him again and buy him a (root) beer.

 

We had a chaplain visit our Sq Christmas party a few years back. He brought a gift for the gift exchange, so he was entitled to a present for the white elephant. No joke, he picked a present with a dildo inside. There was a vibrator in another present. The best part of the story is that we had two of our female pilots fighting over the gifts. Classic.

 

When I went through Kingsville one of the wing chaplains was a prior F-4 RIO, TopGun IP, with some very real air medals from Vietnam (this was in 1999). Old as dirt but flew in the trunk of a T-45 about 3 times a week, usually in the banner tractor or ACM lead.

Great Dude.

Spongebob

 

The good chaplains I have seen are the ones who just strike up a conversation and listen. If they are seen a lot at squadron events, they become part of the team and get accepted.

I think it's a really bad idea to have the Chaplain's office next to the Shirt's office. People with marital problems, etc, are not going to want to be seen by the Shirt walking into the Chaplain's office for counselling.

 

"Next door" was a figure of speech. All I meant to say was that they are just accessible as the shirt; in the same building rather than across the base. Of the commanders and shirts that I've talked to, most like the idea of having the chaplain closer to the units. I see your concern though and think there is validity to it.

 

I believe that having a chaplain in the squadron or wherever is a good thing. These men and women have taken a vow and answer to a Higher Authority. They are there to see us through the good and the bad.


atp