Army National Guard Chaplain holds service at the Joint National Training Center

Photo By 1st Lt. Louis Stevens | Chaplain Richard Brown of the 122nd Engineer Battalion, South Carolina Army National Guard conducts a chapel service for Soldiers at the Joint National Training Center, Cincu, Romania. Brown is at Joint National Training Center for Resolute Castle 17, a joint operation with the 926th Engineer Brigade, 59th Troop Command, and Romanian 10th Engineer Brigade which builds relationships within the NATO alliance and build training infrastructure at JNTC.  

CINCU, ROMANIA

09.02.2017

Story by 1st Lt. Louis Stevens 

926th Engineer Brigade

CINCU, Romania – Cpt. Richard Brown of the 122nd Engineer Battalion, 59th Troop Command, South Carolina National Guard, held a service at the Joint National Training Center while participating in the last of eight rotations for Resolute Castle 17, 2 September 2017.

Soldiers of Resolute Castle work in a rigorous, high tempo environment, though their leadership understands the need for spiritual and psychological health is of utmost importance for an effective, driven force to operate. Therefore, Brown saw an opportunity to hold a service, at which Soldiers could listen to and communicate mentally beneficial ideas that would ultimately lead to a more effective force.

Soldiers attended the service, where they communicated their unique philosophies in handling the rigors of deployed service and its day to day life; both ideals of which Soldiers found to have application in their civilian lives.

Chaplain Brown’s experience in holding services that develop spiritual and mental health has roots in his military and civilian life. When working outside of his military capacity, Brown leads his life as a Chaplain for the Corporate Chaplains of America; where he develops skills necessary for accommodating the spiritual needs of personnel from diverse backgrounds and walks of life.

Since arriving to Romania for the fulfillment of his 21 day rotation, Brown has had the opportunity to interact with Romanian spiritual leaders while organizing services on the Joint National Training Center and in a neighboring town.

Originally from Edgefield, South Carolina, his experience with Romanian Soldiers and Romanian civilians has resulted in a highly positive view of their culture. “The Romania people are very professional, courteous and knowledgeable,” he stated when asked how his time with his Romanian counterparts has gone.

His contributions to Resolute Castle may not directly result in the tangible creation of engineering projects; however, his indirect contributions through the development of healthy minds equates to a stronger engineering force capable of working more effectively and efficiently while serving in Romania.

Resolute Castle particularly focuses on engineer skillsets, deploying active Navy, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard engineer units to work alongside the Romanian 10th Engineer Brigade and the U.K. Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers on training infrastructure at the Joint National Training Center in Cincu, Romania. Additionally, Resolute Castle has overseen engineering operations in Poland conducted by the 15th Engineer Battalion, 18th Military Police Brigade.

The mission supports Operation Atlantic Resolve through developing training infrastructure in eastern Europe, creating interoperability among NATO forces, and enhancing stability and resolve among Allied nations.

With reporting by 1st Lt. Justin Dailey

• Date Taken: 09.02.2017
• Date Posted: 09.03.2017 04:36
• Story ID: 247046
• Location: CINCU, RO
• Hometown: CHARLESTON, SC, US
• Hometown: COLUMBIA, SC, US
• Hometown: EDGEFIELD, SC, US
• Hometown: GREENVILLE, SC, US
• Hometown: SUMMERVILLE, SC, US