GUANTANAMO BAY, Cuba - Joint Task Force Guantanamo’s deputy chaplain, Lt. Cmdr. Mark C. Moreno, is a busy guy. He makes his rounds alongside the other chaplains and religious ministry staff visiting service members at their workspaces trying to facilitate conversation in an attempt to foster and grow relationships. The Chaplain Corps has a myriad of responsibilities that may be lost on the average service member, but slowly Moreno and the Religious Ministry Team are trying to change that.
Chaplains ensure the religious rights of military members, performing a variety of religious tasks and ceremonies. They advise the command in matters of moral and ethical application and act as counselors to keep the general morale of the base high.
“We never assume that folks are going to seek us out or come to the chapel; we have to go out, form relationships, demonstrate that we care, and that earns us the opportunity and the right to take care of those people,” Moreno said.
The chaplains here already do a lot, but Moreno is making an attempt to reach even further into the military community.
“It doesn’t matter what faith or non-faith a service member has,” Moreno said. “I’m still their chaplain. I don’t require people believe what I believe, I am here to help them in any way that I can. Whether it is counseling, suicide intervention, the united through reading program, or just asking how they are doing, I am here for them.”
The chaplains have help in these tasks in the form of religious program specialists, the enlisted side of the chaplain house. An RP is trained in various roles to be a chaplain’s aid in garrison and protector on the battlefield. The most important thing the RP’s would like everyone to know, is the Chaplain’s office has an open door policy, so feel free to stop by or call, said Ben J. Sims an RP with the JTF religious ministry team at GTMO. The chaplain office offers so many services, or just someone to listen. The RP assistants also go with the chaplain when he visits troops around the base, usually out candy and other snacks to the men and women in uniform who are posted around the base.
“My favorite part of the day is going out and visiting with all the different workspaces, especially when we have a therapy dog with us,” said Petty Officer 3rd Class Keshia A. Powell, an RP. “We get to meet so many different people and it’s always nice to hear them tell us about where they are from or learn something
about their Rate or MOS.”
Although Moreno has only been here a short time, he and his team have started three new initiatives they hope will grow and continue after they’re gone. One of these new initiatives is “Holy Smokes.” Moreno has committed to setting up the event outside the Downtown Lyceum Saturday evenings at 7 p.m. to have a cigar with whoever would like to join him. Then again at Bulkeley’s Lyceum at 9 p.m. that same night on the JTF side.
“I don’t condone or encourage the use of tobacco,” Moreno said. “However, for responsible adults that enjoy the occasional cigar, I wanted to offer a chance to connect with me in an informal setting. I want to meet people where they are at, so that I can be their chaplain and be available for their needs.”
The next endeavor the team hopes to accomplish is to become an unofficial hub for volunteer service. They hope service members will be able to come to them with their interests and from there the chaplains can match them with a compatible event or service-needing help. Lastly, Moreno, a Protestant Christian, started a more traditional Lutheran-based chapel service at the Trooper Chapel on the JTF side, Sunday mornings at 10:30 a.m.
“Many people find meaning, comfort and motivation from a chapel service,” Moreno said. “The best thing about the chapel is that it builds community; a place where everyone is welcomed and they can have their spiritual needs met.”
Moreno will be here for a few more months, it is clear that he is not sitting back letting time pass by. He is ambitious and excited about these new initiatives and does not hesitate to get out there and tell the troops about the events.
“I have really enjoyed my time working with Chaplain Moreno,” Powell said. “His motivation is contagious. He is all about connecting with everyone regardless of their religious preference. He always tells people, ‘It doesn’t matter if you are Christian, Muslim, atheist or anything else. I’m still your chaplain.’”
For now it seems JTF GTMO is in good hands as the religious team will set out again tomorrow with their goals clearly in mind and candy in hand to make a few new friends and spread a little sugar-induced happiness along the way.
| Date Taken: |
07.24.2015 |
| Date Posted: |
03.01.2016 10:57 |
| Story ID: |
190635 |
| Location: |
GUANTANAMO BAY, CU |
| Web Views: |
71 |
| Downloads: |
0 |
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