Multi-talented chaplain provides spiritual advice

Photo By Senior Airman Jason Epley | Chaplain (Capt.) Douglas Collins speaks with Senior Airman Christina Nissen on board a C-17 Globemaster before a medical evacuation mission at Joint Base Balad, Iraq, Dec. 29, 2008. Collins, who is assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Chapel, serves as a chaplain for U.S. service members in Iraq while holding a seat in the Georgia House of Representatives and recently learned he passes the Georgia state bar exam. He often meets with aircrew members and patients before their departure to provide comfort and spiritual guidance. Collins is deployed from Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga., and his hometown is Gainesville, Ga.  

BALAD, IRAQ

01.05.2009

Story by Senior Airman Thomas Trower 

332d Air Expeditionary Wing

By Senior Airman Thomas Trower
332nd Air Expeditionary Wing

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq – Most people pay little attention to a lawyer who is also a state representative. But what if he were to deploy as an Air Force chaplain caring for service members in Iraq?

These are roles that Chaplain (Capt.) Douglas Collins, who is assigned to the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing Chapel, tries to juggle as he helps servicemembers with their religious needs in a combat zone.

"I have a wonderful family and wife who help me stay on track. I really just don't like to sit around," Collins said. "I've gotten used to life that is not scripted. When you live without bounds, you can do a lot of things.

"I think the key to my success is my ability to block things into time slots and manage my time well. I call it the 'Doug Collins Organization Scale' because nobody else could understand it, but it works for me," he continued with a laugh.

A chaplain's primary duty is to ensure freedom of religious expression for troops across base, said Collins, who is deployed from the 94th Airlift Wing at Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga.

"I make sure troops are mentally mission ready -- spiritually ready to do what they're required to do," Collins said. "Sometimes that means listening, and sometimes it means just hanging out."

Collins began his duties as a chaplain 11 years ago. He was somewhat accustomed to a military lifestyle because his father was a state patrolman who served in the Georgia National Guard, and his mother worked for the government with the elderly.

"I was a chaplain in the Navy Reserve in the early 90s," Collins said. "I got out when the church where I pastored was growing a great deal. I was out for about six years and felt there was something missing."

Collins joined the Air Force Reserve four years ago. He has a master's degree in divinity from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, as well as a newly acquired law degree from John Marshall Law School in Atlanta.

"The variety in my background helps me in a lot of different ways with different problems and situations and with finding solutions," said Collins, who learned he passed the Georgia state bar exam after arriving at Balad. "I think my legal background, along with my chaplain background, helps me to understand people when they're going through divorces and other situations that are legal in nature and cause a lot of stress. It helps me to understand what they are going through."

If your mind is back home, it takes your mind off your job and makes you less productive," Collins said. "A chaplain's role is not only to provide the normal opportunity for worship for those who want to exercise their faith, but also to offer an outlet of communication that allows them to do their jobs."

To facilitate this outlet, chaplains use privileged communication, a tool similar to attorney-client privilege. Chaplains cannot divulge anything service members say, so long as the conversation is a formal act of religion or an act of conscience and the service member intends it to be confidential.

Collins said he sees his knowledge of the law as another way to minister to people. He plans to begin a general litigation law practice in his hometown of Gainesville, Ga., after returning from his four-month deployment.

Along with his recent admittance to the Georgia bar, Collins was also re-elected in November to the 27th House District of the Georgia House of Representatives. Reserve component Airmen are authorized to serve in public office, in accordance with Department of Defense Directive 1344.10, as long as they are not activated for more than 270 days.

"Being in the state house gives me a perspective of government from both sides," said Collins. "I understand a lot of the functions from a state level on why the law system works and why sometimes it doesn't work as well as it should."

"[Collins'] military career was known by most in the legislature, but his deployment made it much more real, especially to those of us that are close to him," said Representative Mark Hamilton of Georgia's 23rd House District in an e-mail interview. "Doug's strong relationship with God ... is obvious in his walk, but he never pushes it on anyone. I sense that most people [in the capitol building] know exactly where he stands and people are comfortable approaching him on most issues."

"Collins refers to his life as a Georgia legislator and a 'newly passed the bar' lawyer," said 332nd AEW Chaplain (Col.) Richard Hartwell, deployed from Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii. "Mostly he talks about the good relationships he shares with other legislators, a little about the challenges facing the state of Georgia and once in a while about how he'd like to practice law and remain part of the reserve Air Force chaplain corps."

"His deployment made the war on terrorism real to us," said Hamilton. "I know he is there serving God and the United States. Many of us are very proud to call Doug our friend and we are anxious for him to return home to his family and then to the approaching Legislative session."

Collins is scheduled to return home from his deployment soon after the active session begins in January. He maintains contact with his constituents through e-mail and telephone calls.

"My motivation is to share from my faith background and what I've been given all of my life," he said. "I've had people in my life who are ready to listen and willing to care and reach out to me, and that's what I want to do for others. I think chaplains provide a wonderful opportunity to people of faith as well as people of no faith."

One trait stands out in all of Collins' positions: his commitment to the Air Force core value of service before self.

"Chaplains, representatives and lawyers have a lot in common," said Collins. "We see people sometimes at their very best and sometimes their very worst, but our goal should always be to help and serve."

Collins' chances at fulfilling this goal are very high Hartwell said.

"Collins is passionate about supporting, encouraging and nurturing all Airmen under his care," said Hartwell. "He possesses boundless initiative but also the good sense of knowing when to stay in his own lane. He's an exceptional team player, and has made our Balad chaplain corps richer. His character is sterling. He delivers on his promises."

• Date Taken: 01.05.2009
• Date Posted: 01.05.2009 09:31
• Story ID: 28465
• Location: BALAD, IQ