Photo By Melanie Casineau | Local clergy stand for a group photo during Clergy Day at Barnes Air National Guard...... read more read more
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The 104th Fighter Wing hosted a Clergy Day for 17 local clergy members, August 14, 2025, at Barnes Air National Guard Base, Westfield, Mass. This event is designed to build stronger relationships between military chaplains and civilian clergy leaders, to enhance spiritual support for service members and their families.
Clergy Day offers a unique opportunity for civilian clergy to gain a deeper understanding of military life and the spiritual challenges service members may face. By building these community connections, the Chaplain Corps creates a broader network of support to better serve the diverse needs of Airmen.
Air Force chaplains are ordained clergy representing a wide range of religious backgrounds, including Catholic, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Orthodox Christian, and Protestant traditions. Capt. Josh Carolla, 104th Fighter Wing Head Chaplain, and Capt. T.J Weaver, 104th Fighter Wing Chaplain, are the only chaplain on the base and both represent the Protestant faith. Collaborating with local clergy ensures service members of other faiths have access to appropriate spiritual guidance.
“It’s important to have community connections to refer members to when they request something beyond the scope of our own faith,” said Capt. Carolla.
During the event, Chaplain Weaver spoke to attendees about the role of an Ecclesiastical Endorser, a vital figure in each chaplain’s career. “Every chaplain must be endorsed by a recognized religious organization that vouches for their qualifications and standing,” said Weaver. “Your endorser also protects your right to act according to your faith. If you’re ever asked to perform duties that conflict with your beliefs, your endorser has the authority to withdraw support, even if your commander insists.”
This means that chaplains are never required to violate their religious convictions. Maintaining good standing with both their endorsing body and military leadership is essential to their role. Knowing who to go to in the community is important for the airman if the resource is not available.
More discussions during the day covered areas where community clergy support may be needed, such as providing religious services on or off base, responding during mass casualty events, offering last rites, or supporting observances of specific holy days.
Recruiting was in attendance and discussed the areas that can benefit someone in the Air National Guard who has full-time civilian employment. Master Sgt. Carlos Vazquez, 104th Fighter Wing Religious Affairs Airman who also serves as a State Parole Officer in his civilian life, noted that his dual roles often intersect.
“I’ve trained in suicide prevention and crisis intervention,” Vazquez said. “In law enforcement, I focus more on public safety, and in the Religious Affairs Airman (RAA) role, I concentrate on religious concerns, but both require similar training.”
As an RAA, Vazquez is also the only member of the chaplain team permitted to carry a weapon, a role that aligns with both his military and civilian training. Under the Geneva Conventions, chaplains are prohibited from bearing arms, so RAAs serve as their security detail when necessary.
The visiting clergy received a guided base tour, which included stops at the flight line and weapons hangar. Highlights included witnessing the launch of an F-15 aircraft and meeting with the pilots. The day concluded with a catered lunch provided by the 104th Chaplains. Many attendees shared that they left with a newfound appreciation for the spiritual demands of military service, while others, as veterans themselves, found it to be a meaningful return to familiar ground.
| Date Taken: | 08.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.28.2025 15:19 |
| Story ID: | 546780 |
| Location: | WESTFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, US |
| Web Views: | 15 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Creating Community Connections with Clergy Day, by Melanie Casineau, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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