KANDAHAR, Afghanistan – The mission of a deployed Army chaplain is to provide spiritual guidance in emotionally and physically demanding circumstances. They are expected to provide religious services, not just for soldiers of their camp, but for soldiers residing at different combat outposts, forward operating bases, and other outlying military units during the course of a deployment.
Capt. John Konugres, chaplain, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, is the primary chaplain for Camp Nathan Smith, though he frequently visits other military installations throughout Kandahar City, to provide ministry and counseling services for soldiers who don’t have regular access to a chaplain.
“The real blessing is the continuity of ministry that we have at CNS,” said Konugres. “Because we have two chaplains, I am able to spend time with our soldiers in the more remote areas of our battle space and not worry about CNS lacking pastoral care in my absence.”
During a recent visit to Combat Outpost Shurandam, Konugres took the time to visit multiple offices around the COP to inform service members that he would be holding two non-denominational ministry services in order to accommodate everyone’s schedule.
“This is my favorite part of being a chaplain,” said Konugres, a Los Angeles native. “It doesn’t matter if each service is jam packed or empty; the key is to continually reach out and show Soldiers that I care.”
During his visit to COP Shurandam many soldiers sought out Konugres for emotional support as well as requests for religious items such as crucifixes, Bibles and rosaries.
“Chaplain Konugres truly makes a difference every time he comes out here,” said Sgt. Jenna Scott, a military police officer assigned to 1775th Military Police Company, 210th MP Battalion, currently attached to 1BCT, 4ID. “He’s a very approachable person, so whenever I have something bothering me, I know he’ll be there to listen.”
Whether they are conducting battlefield circulation, or working in a garrison environment, chaplains take time to forge relationships with those who don’t believe in God, just as they lend a helping hand to those who do believe.
Many people associate the chaplain with their past negative religious experiences, said Konugres. Because of this, soldiers will not confide in a chaplain until they know that the chaplain truly cares.
Konugres said that is the reason to visit with each and every soldier who requests a meeting with him.
After the visit, it was time for Konugres to depart COP Shurandam and return to CNS. In the course of a week, he will make trips to other outposts and conduct religious services.
“I look forward to his next visit, because I requested St. Michael’s charm and I’m looking forward to him bringing it back to me,” Scott said with a smile.
“That’s what my ministry is all about,” said Konugres. “Focusing on each individual soldier and finding out what I can do to help them, in whatever way they will allow me to help.”
| Date Taken: |
05.29.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
05.29.2011 09:03 |
| Story ID: |
71282 |
| Location: |
KANDAHAR PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: |
478 |
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0 |
PUBLIC DOMAIN
This work, Chaplain provides light to deployed ‘Raider' soldiers, by SPC Cardell Brown, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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