Photo By Sarah Snedden | The Chaplain Annual Sustainment Training (CAST) is a yearly event committed to...... read more read more
Subscribe
Texas Military Department
By Sarah Snedden
AUSTIN, Texas– The Chaplain Annual Sustainment Training (CAST) is a yearly event committed to broadening the spiritual outreach in ministry and brought together over 50 chaplains and religious affairs specialists from Texas.
Outlining the mission and the focus for the training, Col John Laing, senior chaplain, Texas Military Department (TMD), emphasized the support needed to successfully care for the needs of the Texas soldier’s, airmen and their families.
“It is not uncommon for two or more chaplains to be part of an overall care team, especially when traumatic events occur. Spiritual care is a team effort, and our chaplaincy teams from across the services are committed to working together to ensure our TMD family is spiritually strong and ready for every mission that comes our way.” he said. Laing emphasized that the annual training is a time to worship and grow relationships with other chaplains and peers.
“As our TAG has noted, our personnel are our most precious resource, and the chaplaincy is a vital partner in the overall TMD care team.”
As part of the multiple faith chaplain corps, Rabbi Dan Millner, chaplain for the 149th Fighter Wing, Texas Air National Guard, opened with thanking all the chaplains and religious affairs specialists, praying for their continual dedication to the spiritual ministry, and abundance of faith that is necessary for all service members.
Major General Ronald Win Burkett, II., commander, 36th Infantry Division, also thanked the chaplains and religious affairs specialists for their dedication and contribution to the resiliency of the Texas Military Department.
“The ministry and religious support given to our service members and their families cannot be overlooked. We are honored to have you here today, your spiritual support today, helps continue the mission tomorrow,” he said.
Guest speaker, Deputy Adjutant General Army Brig. Gen. Monie. R. Ulis facilitated a question and answer forum after thanking the chaplains and attendees. Questions asked to Ulis were concentrated around how to provide help to balance civilian and military life as service members in the guard, budgets, and retention and recruiting.
Texas Military Department Chapel Administrator and Spiritual Fitness Director, Chaplain James Campbell said that he looks forward to this event every year because it brings the Texas Army National Guard, Texas State Guard and
Texas Air National Guard chaplains and religious affairs specialists together.
“
CAST is a time to reconnect with one another, often our Texas Military Department chaplains and religious affairs specialists are either deployed overseas, on the border mission in south Texas, or spread out across the state.
Apart from the valuable training we receive, this event is our one time in the year to gather to share stories, welcome friends home from deployment, and give and receive encouragement. “ Campbell said.
Closing the two-day long training event, Texas Army National Guard Staff Sgt. William Clay S. Brown, 176th Engr. Bde, was honored with the Order of Martin of Tours. This is an award for Chaplains Corps personnel who have demonstrated the highest standards of integrity and moral character, displaying an outstanding degree of professional competency, selflessly servicing soldiers and their families, and contributing to the promotion of the Army Chaplaincy.
| Date Taken: | 08.18.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 09.07.2023 16:59 |
| Story ID: | 452837 |
| Location: | AUSTIN, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 221 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, 2023 Texas Chaplain Annual Sustainment Training, by Sarah Snedden, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
