Let’s face it. Getting to your first duty is overwhelming both for you and for your family. It might be your first time actually dealing with Soldiers right out of CHBOLC, or it will be your first time dealing with Soldiers as their Chaplain. The most important thing is to relax and appreciate the journey. After all, the only way to eat a whale is one bite at a time.

THINGS TO PREPARE BEFOREHAND

• Your Unit – Take time to do some research on your new unit. Also take into consideration the Brigade and Division level history. Many units have a rich history and can be a source of inspiration and motivation as you put the unit into context.
  • Unit History (Campaigns/Conflicts)
  • Famous Battles
  • Famous Commanders/Leaders/Soldiers
  • Medal of Honor Recipients

• Research the Area – Besides the usual area research for your family consider the following for your ministry.
  • Area Religious Leaders and Communities of various Low Density Faith Groups
  • Fun things to do for Single and Married Soldiers (for Strong Bonds retreats and for yourself)
  • Community Events
  • Upcoming Holiday Events
  • Significant Military Landmarks

FAMILY/SELF

• Make certain that your Family is settled in before anything else.
  • Plug into the Post Chapel community. It is important to get a pulse on the religious community at your installation.
  • Have your Spouse get connected with any military spouses groups (when they are ready)
  • Have your Children sign up for on post extra curricular activities through the MWR.

• Find a Mentor
  • Fellow Chaplains (regardless of rank)
  • Local Ministers
  • Senior Leaders

MINISTRY

• Provide a Philosophy of Ministry, ORB, and Letter of Introduction.
• Spend first 30 days observing and learning while taking care of the team.
• It’ll take about 90 days before they learn to trust you.
• Find out the stress points of the unit from the CSM and 1SGs.
• Meet peer BN Chaplains over lunch and begin developing good peer relationships.
• Meet with Chaplains from your endorser.

UNIT LEADERSHIP

• Introduce yourself to your BATTALION/SQUADRON COMMANDER
  The unit ministry is an extension of the Commander. It is not your Religious Program but the Commander’s Religious Program. You are taking care of their Soldiers, they are not yours. So get to know your Commander and regularly meet with them to update them on any moral, ethical, and/or morale issues.
  • Learn how the CDR gains information (i.e. email, in person, BLUF emails vs Long emails)
  • Ask about the CDR’s intent and how they want you to operate and provide ministry. Most Commanders will tell you to simply take care of their Soldiers. Some may give you specific areas to focus in on.
  • Understand that it is the Commander’s Religious Program and that the Soldiers are the Commander’s Soldiers, not yours. In a meeting, speak about His/Her Soldiers, not yours. The only Soldier you really have is the 56M.

• Introduce yourself to your XO, & S-3
  Often times the XO and the S3 are Majors. The XO is charged with managing the staff. Be sure to work with the XO and provide whatever she or he needs because they will be a great resource to you to help you understand the Battalion/Squadron Commander.
  • Learn their systems
  • Get a hold of the Short & Long Range Training Calendar, TACSOP, C&S Slides, Training Meeting Slides, OPORDS and FRAGORDS of upcoming events
  • Learn how the unit operates and the terms/acronyms they use

• Introduce yourself to the CSM
  Offer yourself as a resource. The CSM is the senior enlisted Soldier and you need respect their experience and opinions. You may not agree with them but listen to their perspective because they have a huge impact on the unit. Working together is in both your interest in taking care of your Soldiers.
  • Listen to the CSM’s advice, observations in particular any stress points within the unit.
  • Bring your 56M to this meeting so that they get facetime together.

• Meet your Company/Battery/Troop Commanders & 1SGs. Again, include your 56M. Find out what stressors they have, what their own needs are, and if they are married, geo-bachelors, or unmarried. Get plugged into their FRGs to offer support.

• Connect with the different Staff Sections – Understand what each section is responsible for and find out how they can help you and conversely, how you can be of assistance to them. I found a niche with the S1 and made my home there often times. They may not be the most “hoo-ah” of Soldiers but they will for sure take care of you administratively. It is good to get the Religious Preference Profile from S1 so you can have an understanding of the religious make-up of your unit.
  • Get the Long Range calendar from the S3 and find out if there is any white space (good luck on this one) or good times to provide ministry or offer marriage retreats, etc.
  • Be nice to your S4 and they will take care of you.

• Get to know your Platoon Leaders and Platoon Sergeants – Developing a solid relationship with these leaders will provide you the best access to your Soldiers. They will provide a steady stream of Soldiers for counseling and these LTs will look to you for leadership.

• Connect with Embedded Behavioral Health & Military Family Life Consultants – These will be your allies in the struggle to provide care for Soldiers. They may share trends which may confirm the issues that you’re having across the formation or they may be tracking issues you are not. There are times that I’ve had professional conversations that turned into part of my own self-care plans especially when the counselings get heavy and you’re beginning to feel isolated in the work as a caretaker.

• Learn the Unit mission – This includes learning what kind of sister Battalions/Squadrons are doing and understand what the role your unit plays in any operation. Is it a support Battalion or a forward operating CAV Squadron? Understanding the unit mission will help you in planning your religious support during combat operations.

CHAPLAIN LEADERSHIP

It is important to have a good respect for your Technical Chain of Command. Your Battalion or Squadron Commander is your Senior Rater and you might be fighting for that good OER. But remember that you will always come back to the Chaplain Corps. Our Corps is small and that means your reputation will inevitably precede you, both good and bad. You might feel lost in the sauce but know that developing relationships within the Corps is important both for your career and more importantly for health of the Army. Give your Senior Chaplains the opportunity to invest in you and set you up for success!

• Request an OFFICE CALL with:
  • your next higher technical chain of command (i.e. the BDE Chaplain).
  • Senior Command/Garrison/Division Chaplains

• Identify which Chapel needs your assistance and find a place to plug into the installation community. Remember your roll is not to merely be a Battalion Chaplain. Understand your role in the community.

RELIGIOUS AFFAIRS SPECIALIST (56M)

• Conduct an Initial Counseling highlighting:
  • Your expectations for their performance (I personally emphasize the importance of teamwork and let them know I appreciate their input. I’m not just looking for a “yes-man/woman”)
  • Explain how you operate as a Chaplain
    • How much do you intend to spend in the office vs. out with your Soliders
    • How much and at what level do you expect your 56M to work with leadership (I personally want my 56M to develop a relationship with the 1SGs).
  • Ask how you can support the 56M (i.e. family issues, school, life/career goals)

• Establish a schedule for monthly/quarterly counseling

• Identify religious support items on hand and have the 56M order the items that you need for your ministry (i.e. Chaplain resupply kit, resource books, etc.)