Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jessica Barnett | Sgt. Keith D. Wright, a native from Brunswick, Ga., a chaplain assistant for Division...... read more read more
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CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq – Sgt. Keith D. Wright, a native of Brunswick, Ga., with more than 11 years in the United States Army, is currently serving on his fourth deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, at Contingency Operating Base Speicher, near Tikrit, Iraq. Wright is a chaplain assistant with Division Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division, out of Fort Stewart, Ga.
Wright joined the Army to get some direction in life after high school.
The son of Pamela Thomas and Willie Wright of Brunswick, Ga., Wright is a, May 1999, graduate of Glynn Academy High School, Brunswick, Ga. His wife, Jenessa Wright, and two sons, 2-year-old, Josiah and 5-month-old, Isaiah, reside in Hinesville, Ga.
After completing basic combat training at Fort Sill, Okla., Aug. 1999, Wright graduated from the U.S. Army Ordnance Mechanical Maintenance School at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Md., as a metal worker, December 1999.
“One job that came up was metal worker … in high school I did welding for a semester, so I was already familiar with it – I was like, ‘Hey I could do that’,” said Sgt. Wright. “They built up my confidence and skills.”
From 2003 to 2006, Sgt. Wright served with the Georgia Army National Guard. While in the Guard, Sgt. Wright developed interest in a new occupational specialty.
“During my transition from active duty to a civilian, I had a maturing experience mentally and coming into the faith; I am now – a Christian,” said Wright. “When I got activated with the National Guard I found out about chaplain assistants … That’s when I decided my desire or passion wasn’t for welding … If I could be in the Army and do something I love, and be closer to something I love, then I need to go and pursue it. So I re-classed to [chaplain assistant]. ”
Wright re-enlisted into the active duty Army, and re-classed to chaplain assistant of the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School, Fort Jackson, S.C., March 2009. Wright returned to 3rd ID and has been here for eight years.
As a chaplain assistant, Wright assists the DSTB chaplain in his missions to provide religious services and assess the morale of Soldiers.
“Just as non-commissioned officers are the backbone of the Army, chaplain assistants are the backbone of the Chaplains,” said Sgt. Wright. “They may get the mission, but it is up to us, chaplain assistants, to make it happen and pull everything together. We are the sources to find the resources to make the mission happen – the place, the time, the agenda, the bulletins. We are the horse in the Unit Ministry Team.”
Chaplain assistants support all faiths, regardless of their own beliefs.
Defending the constitution is one of many missions the U.S. Army is charged with. The first Amendment ensures freedom of religion, providing each Soldier the right to practice their religion.
A chaplain assistant helps facilitate the Soldiers’ free exercise of religion by providing services and assistance.
Wright helps chaplains setup and prepare for any type of service necessary. To do this, Wright has learned about the different religious artifacts and how to handle them properly in order not to offend anyone.
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.23.2010 03:14 |
| Story ID: | 51809 |
| Location: | CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, IQ |
| Web Views: | 367 |
| Downloads: | 166 |
This work, Former Welder finds job to support 'passion', by SFC Jessica Barnett, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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