Photo By Kelly Haertjens | Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Curtis Hulshizer serves Soldiers, Civilians, contractors and...... read more read more
ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. – The U.S. Army Sustainment Command’s global reach demands readiness, and Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Curtis Hulshizer ensures its people are spiritually and emotionally equipped to meet those demands.
ASC ensures that Soldiers around the world have the logistics, supplies, and support they need to operate effectively. While ASC focuses on materiel readiness, its success also depends on the emotional and spiritual well-being of its personnel. That’s where chaplains like Hulshizer come in, providing confidential counseling, suicide prevention, and spiritual care to keep the force resilient and mission-ready.
“What I do as an Army chaplain is I allow for the free exercise of religion,” Hulshizer said. “I'm also somebody in a unit that people can talk to and not have to worry about what they say without it leaving the room.”
Hulshizer has served as an Army chaplain for 18 years. He began his career after pastoring for five years and teaching at a religious school for three. His goal was to work with young adults making life decisions, and the Army offered a path to do just that.
Throughout his career, Hulshizer has supported Soldiers, Civilians, contractors, and family members all regardless of religious belief. He emphasizes that his role is not about conversion, but about presence and service. He’s also trained as a family life chaplain and marriage therapist, offering counseling and guidance when needed.
Confidentiality is central to his work. Hulshizer offers to walk with individuals to behavioral health or help them call from his office. He partners closely with Military Family Life Consultants and behavioral health professionals to ensure people get the help they need.
Early in his career, Hulshizer helped a suicidal family member find safety. Months later, she returned to thank him.
“She was going to kill herself,” he said. “I went and got her and took her somewhere safe. At the time, I thought, ‘oh my gosh, did I do the right things?’ No one knew what happened, but it mattered. That was rewarding. You don’t need praise, it’s more knowing that you were able to help somebody.”
Hulshizer said, in his experience, people don’t really want to die, they just want their pain, whether it’s physical, emotional or both, to end. However, he said one tip he has for people dealing with dark days is to find a friend who allows them to be themselves and relaxed. He is happy to be that friend for those who need him.
His commitment to suicide prevention extends beyond crisis response. Hulshizer supports ASC’s G1 (Human Resource Management) team with awareness campaigns, training, and outreach.
“Chaplain Hulshizer has been a valuable partner in supporting the workforce, particularly regarding suicide prevention and resilient efforts,” said Meghan McAndrew, chief, Ready and Resilient (R2) Division of G1. “Specifically, he was a key member of the working group responsible for planning September’s suicide prevention month activities, which included consistent participation in weekly internal meetings dedicated to preparing for ASC R2’s “No One Walks Alone” workforce lunchtime walks. He attended all of the weekly walks throughout September, provided invocation, and walked along with the workforce to offer support and get to know personnel individually.”
Stephanie Allers, a program specialist for R2, echoes McAndrew’s thoughts.
“I believe the strength of our combined experience allows us to positively impact the total Army family more effectively than we might individually,” she said. “He and I have partnered to facilitate suicide prevention and Army substance abuse training for the ASC workforce. Chaplain Hulshizer is a wonderful resource for the R2 team, as he is in the unique position of being able to explain and address the concept of spiritual resilience, which is a critical aspect of readiness, resilience, and holistic well-being.”
Serving at ASC presents unique challenges. With ASC’s global presence and dispersed workforce, Chaplain Hulshizer is the only chaplain assigned to the command, making intentional connection all the more important. Additionally, unlike traditional Army units, the operational rhythm at ASC headquarters is different, and formations aren’t as central to daily routines. Hulshizer noted that, at past commands, formations naturally created space to engage with Soldiers outside the office. At ASC, he’s found that building those relationships requires deliberate effort across varied work settings and schedules. The command also includes a large number of Civilian employees, which further complicates his goal to connect with the workforce as a whole. He attends various events and stays plugged into operational updates to understand where stress may be building. The “No One Walks Alone” walks are just one way he makes his presence known.
“Chaplain outreach is a vital component of a comprehensive suicide prevention strategy,” McAndrew said. “Chaplains provide confidential, non-judgmental support, promote holistic well-being, and offer valuable insight into the needs of the workforce. Chaplain Hulshizer’s active participation in ASC R2 initiatives highlights the importance of integrating chaplaincy support into all aspects of workforce care.”
To support ASC personnel stationed around the world, Hulshizer maintains a contact list of chaplains and religious affairs specialists across the command’s footprint. When someone needs help outside of headquarters, he coordinates with local ministry teams to ensure support is available, utilizing the connections he has built throughout his career. His goal is to always make sure that in-person help is available no matter where someone is located.
He’s also dual-hatted as the garrison chaplain for Rock Island Arsenal, supporting memorials, notifications, and funerals for veterans and family members. Over the years, he’s assisted other branches as well, including the Marines, and has led memorials for service members lost to suicide.
“I serve everybody, regardless of their belief,” Hulshizer said. “We all joined the service. And that's what the word ‘minister’ means – it literally means to serve. Throughout my career, I’ve had Soldiers who didn’t believe anything or believe different things. It doesn’t matter to me. I’m going to serve them.”
Allers recommends anyone – religious or not – reach out to Hulshizer if they could benefit.
“His insight is based on a desire to serve and care for others, as well as extensive training, education, and an extremely wide diversity of experience,” Allers said. “Chaplain Hulshizer is an extremely kind, intelligent, funny, and interesting individual. His authenticity and down-to-earth nature make him very approachable. Talking with him feels like talking to a family member or friend. ASC is lucky and blessed to have him.”
Hulshizer plans to begin a weekly gathering at RIA starting in October. He also leads services for events like Easter and the National Day of Prayer.
He credits much of his success to strong partnerships with religious affairs specialists. A new specialist is expected to join him in October, and Hulshizer is eager to return to a team-based approach.
For those seeking support, Hulshizer offers a simple invitation: reach out. His office is in the northeast part of the basement of ASC headquarters, and his number is 309-782-0923.
“Just give me a text and I'll meet you anywhere.”
| Date Taken: | 09.30.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 09.30.2025 14:57 |
| Story ID: | 549738 |
| Location: | ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 22 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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