Great presence

Photo By Emily McCamy | Air Force Chaplain Maj. Robert Sullivan is Joint Task Force Guantanamo's deputy command chaplain. The chaplains support the service members by taking care of their emotional and spiritual needs. JTF Guantanamo conducts safe, humane, legal and transparent care and custody of detainees, including those convicted by military commission and those ordered released by a court. The JTF conducts intelligence collection, analysis and dissemination for the protection of detainees and personnel working in JTF Guantanamo facilities and in support of the War on Terror. JTF Guantanamo provides support to the Office of Military Commissions, to law enforcement and to war crimes investigations. The JTF conducts planning for and, on order, responds to Caribbean mass migration operations.  

GUANTANAMO BAY, CUBA

07.17.2009

Story by Staff Sgt. Emily McCamy 

Joint Task Force Guantanamo Public Affairs

GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba — Presence is one of the greatest gifts that the chaplains at Joint Task Force Guantanamo can offer service members.

For service members, knowing that someone is willing to listen — and will hold what you say in confidence — is priceless, especially when the mission demands great responsibility and professionalism in the face of adversity.

"We take care of all the Airmen, Soldiers, Marines, Guardians and Sailors, and ensure [they] are engaged in their daily occupations — whatever that may be," explained JTF Command Chaplain, Air Force Lt. Col. Dwayne Peoples. "If you are struggling with an emotional or spiritual issue, we are going to help you through it because invariably, those things can keep you from focusing on the mission which — in turn — can result in disciplinary action. We're into preventative care; we want to help our service members be the best they can be."

As the command chaplain, Peoples oversees the overall mission of the JTF chaplains.

"My mission is to look at [chaplain operations] from a strategic perspective," Peoples said. "What do my chaplains and chaplain's assistants need to accomplish their mission at an operational or tactical level? I guard their time and help them stay focused on their mission, which is the spiritual care of the service members. I also mentor them and help them understand how they [personally] help the service members."

Supporting detention operations requires commitment and time. With service members having little time outside of their job within the camps, the chaplains come to them.

"Presence over program is our emphasis," Peoples said. "With the nature of the JTF and service member schedules, people don't respond to the standard church programs that chaplains tend to offer."

Being present and approachable with the service members is key to the success of the chaplains' ministry and outreach.

"This mission is critical because spiritual readiness is a key factor of readiness as a whole," said JTF Deputy Chaplain, Air Force Maj. Robert Sullivan. "We try to make sure that the service members aren't just physically and mentally prepared, but spiritually too — it has to do with your commitment before God, to family, morals and values."

Sullivan, who oversees religious activities, provides ministry and also works to ensure that service members have freedom to practice their religion.

"We reach out to the community through written word, worship opportunities and ministry," Sullivan said. "We work together as a team to make sure everyone has the opportunity to worship."

With the continuous outreach mission the chaplains perform, knowing that service members aren't afraid to reach out to them in a time of need helps them know their work is making a difference.

"Be present, be approachable," Peoples said. "That in itself helps service members see us as someone they can talk to because we can be trusted. They can talk to us about whatever their struggles are and it's by being present that they can identify with us and see us as normal, someone they want to talk to. Hopefully, they'll seek us out in those quiet times and know they can talk to us in confidence."

"We place great responsibility on our [service members] and my goal is to help them do their job," said Navy Expeditionary Guard Battalion Chaplain, Navy Lt. Cmdr. Lee Hellwig. "I see the great job that the [service members] are doing here. It's a tough job; it's in the lime-light and makes this a more challenging situation for the guards. This is a very important mission and they handle it well."

For more information about Joint Task Force Guantanamo, visit the Web site at www.jtfgtmo.southcom.mil.

• Date Taken: 07.17.2009
• Date Posted: 07.25.2009 15:52
• Story ID: 36819
• Location: GUANTANAMO BAY, CU