Photo By Staff Sgt. Danny McCormick | Maj. Rebekah Montgomery, U.S. Army Reserve Command Chaplain Directorate, cheers for...... read more read more
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FORT BRAGG, N.C. – Strains, fractures, cuts, and bruises require medical attention.
However, during a strenuous, multi-event competition such as Best Warrior, the participants often require more than just relief from physical ailments.
They may also require some form of mental stress relief.
The US Army Reserve Command Chaplain Directorate provides not only religious support to the participants, cadre and support staff during the 2015 Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition held at Fort Bragg, N.C., May 4 -7, but also kind words, encouragement and an ear to Soldiers in need.
“There will be a chaplain present at every major event to provide emotional, spiritual, and mental stress relief to anyone who needs it,” said Chaplain Maj. Raymond W. Leach, division chief, operations/plans/training.
“If they [the competitors] are getting ready to take the APFT just seeing a chaplain or two hanging around is enough to give them some encouragement,” explained Leach.
Chaplain Maj. Rebekah Montgomery on hand to also give encouragement at the Army Physical Fitness Test May 5. Montgomery laid a hand on every competitor and said a blessing for their well being. She was also present during the foot march event from the beginning until the end.
“Good job, warrior! You got this,” yelled Montgomery as competitors passed her on the route.
She also interacted with cadre and support staff, greeting them with a warm smile and kind words trying to lift their spirits.
When one of the Soldiers finished the march and needed both medical attention and spiritual comfort, Montgomery jumped into action. She comforted the Soldier as an intravenous solution for dehydration was administered. Montgomery was then called upon to provide religious support to another competitor who also had to receive treatment for dehydration.
“Our focus is to be at an event where there is a pocket of Soldiers waiting for the next event to begin, or having just completed an event,” said Leach.
This allows the chaplains to talk to the Soldiers and lets the Soldiers know that the chaplains are available to and for them. Leach refers to this as the “ministry of presence.”
“If someone comes to me with a religious problem that I can't help them with, then I will find them someone who can,” he said.
What the Soldiers competing in the Best Warrior Competition usually need, though, is just an encouraging word.
“We're not here to get anything out of this for ourselves. We're here for the Warriors,” Leach said.
A big smile spreads across his face as he added, “Its what we do.”
| Date Taken: | 05.05.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.05.2015 21:46 |
| Story ID: | 162361 |
| Location: | FORT BRAGG, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 222 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, More than muscles: Chaplains provide relief for other than physical stress, by SSG Danny McCormick, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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