Photo By Spc. Deborah Ledesma | CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait --- Sgt. James Schafer, a 377th Theater Support Command...... read more read more
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by Spc. Debrah Robertson
Desert Voice Staff Writer
40th Public Affairs Detachment
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait (October 25, 2006) --- In Kuwait, Third Army/ U.S. Army Central servicemembers have left their families and friends in order to serve the greater cause and protect their nation's freedoms, but even the toughest man or woman may need someone to lean on in order to get through a deployment.
Fortunately, chaplain assistants are there for those who are in need of a confidant, and they are there to protect and assist their chaplains so they can further help their fellow servicemember through trying times.
"Being there for the Soldiers" is an important part of the job, said Sgt. James Schafer, a chaplain's assistant with the 377th Theater Support Command. "While being deployed, servicemembers often need someone to confide in and sometimes they want to talk, but don't feel comfortable talking to an officer."
They may be experiencing "marriage problems, money problems, family [issues], the loss of a loved one or they could just be taking the deployment pretty hard," Schafer continued.
"We have an open door policy" to handle these problems, said Sgt. 1st Class Robert Judge, a Third Army/ U.S. Army Central chaplain's assistant. "You can go through your chain of command, but if there is a problem with your chain of command, you can go directly to [your chaplain or chaplain's assistant]."
If the person feels more comfortable with the chaplain's assistant, they may decide to speak to them instead of their chaplain. Fully trained and experienced to offer guidance to their fellow servicemembers, these troops offer to listen to Soldier's problems.
They are here as a "religious and moral" guide, said Schafer, but a concern does not have to be related to religion in order for an assistant to offer their help and guidance.
Listening to the fears and troubles of others can be quite a burden.
"It's hard to hear other people's problems," said Schafer. "My heart goes out to them."
"We are here to serve Soldiers," said Judge. "It's our job as chaplains' assistants. Sometimes they don't need someone to solve a problem. They just need someone to listen."
"We don't take [the chaplain's] place, but some things we can handle," Judge continued. Therefore, chaplains' assistants "facilitate chaplain doing their jobs, such as ministering or couseling."
Being a chaplain's assistant takes a special kind of person. A good chaplain's assistant must be patient, even tempered and have a good sense of humor in order to get through all of the problems they encounter, said Staff Sgt. Va Linda Schnieders, a chaplain's assistant with the 377th.
"It takes a man or woman of integrity, a good listener and above all, [they must be] loyal to the chaplain," said Judge. Not only do assistants have to support their fellow servicemembers through hardships, they must be Soldiers themselves.
Chaplains' assistants deploy with their units and train alongside other servicemembers. They face the same trials and tribulations and still manage to offer a line of comfort and support to others.
They also use their soldiering skills to protect their chaplains.
"We must be ready for anything," said Judge. Chaplains do not carry weapons, therefore their assistants must protect them.
"You're his bodyguard. You're his aid. You watch his back," said Judge. "You have confidence in him and he has confidence in your abilities."
"He must have faith in his assistant," he continued. Chaplains and their assistants go through training sessions together to build a working relationship. The chaplain must be able to take direction from his assistant in a combat situation.
The chaplains' assistants agreed on one thing - they must be willing to lay their lives on the line for the chaplain.
| Date Taken: | 10.25.2006 |
| Date Posted: | 10.26.2006 11:14 |
| Story ID: | 8152 |
| Location: | CAMP ARIFJAN, KW |
| Web Views: | 89 |
| Downloads: | 41 |
This work, Serving more than just America, by SPC Deborah Ledesma, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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