Photo By Staff Sgt. Melanie Bulow-Gonterman | The Air Force Chaplain Corps provides spiritual care for airmen, their families, and...... read more read more
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MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. - In a world of 24-hour news cycles and constant Facebook status updates, there is one place that remains a haven of privacy for all personnel on MacDill Air Force Base - the Air Force chaplain corps.
No matter the extremity of the issue, chaplains come alongside military members and their families from all branches of service during times of crises and stress, ensuring total confidentiality.
"When an individual walks into a chaplain's office for counseling, he or she has privileged communication, said Wing Chaplain (Lt. Col.) David Buttrick, 6th Air Mobility Wing. "In fact, organizational leadership is not informed if someone seeks counseling through the chaplain corps nor will any supervisor who refers an individual to counseling be able to hear what was shared. It is 100 percent confidential - period!"
Not only do chaplains aid the spiritually and emotionally wounded, but some of life's greatest moments take place inside the chapel walls, from weddings to baptisms to confirmation classes, to support and education programs for spouses and children.
"One of my greatest joys as a chaplain is helping a family navigate the challenges of military life. I love plugging people into their faith - through programs, counseling sessions, services and retreats. This gives them the spiritual roots they need, so they can flourish in whatever capacity the Air Force places them," said Chaplain (Capt.) William Spencer.
Spiritual fitness is one of the four pillars of the Air Mobility Command's comprehensive airman fitness, which originated in July 2010. Spiritual fitness falls under the holistic health category in CAF. In order to achieve the ultimate comprehensive fitness goals, physical, mental, social and spiritual needs must be met.
Spiritual fitness encompasses a wide range of aspects in a military member's life and that of their family. While spirituality typically includes worship and prayer services, religious education, spiritual retreats and pastoral counseling, other aspects of spiritual fitness according to Chaplain Spencer can also include "taking time to be a part of something bigger than yourself."
The MacDill Air Force Base Chapel accommodates people of "all" faith groups, according to Chaplain Buttrick. "We also support those individuals with no faith through pastoral care and counseling. We serve, honor, and respect all military members who faithfully serve our country, regardless of faith preferences or denominational background."
"Human life matters," said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force James A. Roy during a visit to a base in Southwest Asia earlier this month. "The Air Force is a family and naturally you look out for your family."
To better ensure that sense of family is felt locally and specifically, the MacDill Chapel team actively seeks to improve programs, services and methods to better reach the whole MacDill community. "The services we offer include religious observances, providing pastoral care or counseling, and advising leadership on spiritual, ethical, moral, and religious accommodation issues," said Buttrick.
This is implemented through programs such as AWANA on Wednesday evenings, which provides active duty families with a chapel-sponsored dinner, followed by religious education classes for children. The chapel also facilitates a support group for young moms, called MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers), which gives spouses an opportunity to build relationships and grow spiritually and emotionally.
The chapel offers a safe, confidential and respectful place for everyone. "If you are a person of faith or if you're not, you are welcome at the chapel," noted Spencer.
"Many of our counseling sessions are not about issues of religion. Instead, they are centered on problems regarding relationships, personal issues or problems in the work place. The goal for any chaplain and chapel is to provide people the help they need before their problems get out of control. So, always seek help earlier rather than later. Don't wait until your career or family is on the line," said Spencer.
To find out more about the MacDill AFB chapel, its staff, programs and upcoming events, visit its Facebook page and web site: www.macdill.af.mil/macdillchapel/
| Date Taken: | 03.08.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 02.04.2014 05:59 |
| Story ID: | 120058 |
| Location: | MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 212 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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