Raising Spirits

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Matthew Hubby
  • 436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  There comes a time in almost every Airman's career when they seek the assistance of a helping agency. Most of these agencies care for Airmen on a physical level, working with them on financial or career issues. There is one helping agency on Dover Air Force Base, Del., which is unique in its operation - the Chaplain Corps.

The Chaplain Corps is the only base helping agency that cares for the spiritual issues of Airmen. They often deal with issues that don't fit in with any other program, like faith and workplace complaints. They also act as counselors by helping Airmen through tough times. Chaplains are also the only source of 100 percent privileged communication, which means anything said to them cannot be disclosed to any other person.

"Every service member that comes to us can trust that whatever they say remains private," said Capt. Joshua Rumsey, chaplain with the 436th Airlift Wing. "The chaplains have no duty to warn - that means that no matter what you say or confess to us, the only people who are going to know about it is the chaplain and you."

A chaplain's duty is to support service members in spiritual matters as well as support all the religious needs of the base. The Chaplains Corps is non-exclusive, and will support religious requests brought to them as best they can.

"This is a very relationship oriented job," said Rumsey. "We try to get around to all the units and visit people at their work stations as much as possible. We work with them on any issues they may be facing. It can be anything from martial issues to a tense workplace situation."

The road to becoming a chaplain is not a simple one. In order to become a chaplain, a member must have a denominational endorser and be an ordained minister of their faith. Once they are endorsed by their denomination, they must have a bachelor's degree and masters of divinity or equivalent, as well as having two years of experience as an ordained minister of their denomination. After they have met those requirements, they must assemble a package and then interview with the wing chaplaincy.

"I feel very fortunate to be here," said Rumsey. "Over the year-long process a lot of members are weeded out."

One of the more interesting features of a chaplain is the fact that they are a non-combatant. During wartime they are unable to engage enemy forces but they are also not allowed to be kept as prisoners of war.

However, the chaplains are not alone in their endeavors. They are supported by their chaplain's assistants, who ensure the chaplains can do their mission effectively.

"Our chaplain's assistants handle a lot of our administrative work," said Rumsey. "They allow us to be more effective and focused on the things only we can do, and downrange they are entrusted with our safety."

Currently, the chaplains are spread throughout the base, embedded in units so that they might better serve the base populace. However, a new base chapel located between the dorms and the shoppette will be completed in August, which will allow the chaplains to spread their chapel services to both sides of the base.

"It will be nice to be back near the dorms," said Rumsey. "It puts us closer to our target audience. Our Airmen are our greatest assets and their spiritual health falls to us at the chapel. This is the best job in the world on the good days, but I feel I am doing my best work when I am walking with people during their darkest hours."