Photo By Staff Sgt. Mikayla Fritz | U.S. Army Reserve chaplains and religious affairs specialists conduct a mass casualty...... read more read more
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FORT JACKSON, S.C. — Army Reserve chaplains, chaplain candidates and religious affairs specialists gathered at Fort Jackson March 9–13 for Army Reserve Chaplain-Battle Focused Training (ARC-BFT), strengthening their ability to provide religious support in large-scale combat operations.
The training brought together Unit Ministry Teams (UMTs) from Army Reserve Medical Command, 807th Theater Medical Command, and 3rd Theater Medical Command to rehearse essential skills needed to support Soldiers in complex and high-casualty environments. Participants trained on core religious support competencies, including nurturing the living, caring for the wounded and honoring the dead, while operating in realistic field conditions.
“We bring in our reserve UMT assets and train them on battle tasks they would perform if deployed downrange,” said Master Sgt. Keisha Kuffel, master religious affairs noncommissioned officer, noncommissioned officer in charge and lead instructor, Army Reserve Medical Command.
The multi-day training combined classroom instruction with hands-on field exercises, allowing participants to immediately apply what they learned. Scenarios included reacting to contact, conducting hasty memorials and providing care during mass casualty situations.
“For 20-plus years, we’ve been in a counterinsurgency environment, and now we’re preparing for large-scale combat operations,” said Staff Sgt. Jeremiah Martin, religious affairs specialist, 307th Medical Brigade. “This training ensures we are prepared to provide religious support regardless of the operating environment.”
Unlike chaplains, who serve as noncombatants, religious affairs specialists are combatants responsible for security, enabling chaplains to focus on their mission.
“A religious affairs specialist ensures the chaplain has the means to carry on the mission,” Martin said. “If a chaplain or religious affairs specialist is taken out of the fight, that’s less support for the unit.”
Leaders emphasized that in large-scale combat operations, the role of the chaplain extends beyond traditional ministry, directly contributing to unit effectiveness and resilience.
“The reality is large-scale combat operations are going to be demoralizing,” said Capt. Anna Broadbent-Evelyn, chaplain, 303rd Field Hospital. “Soldiers may experience mass casualty events on a scale we haven’t seen in decades. We help them make sense of those losses and refocus on the mission.”
While chaplains do not carry weapons, their presence plays a critical role in maintaining morale and mental resilience under extreme conditions.
“We help Soldiers honor those they lost, but also re-engage with a sense of meaning and purpose,” said Broadbent-Evelyn.
Participants highlighted that chaplains and UMTs serve as a key resource not only for Soldiers, but also for commanders.
“I want leaders to see us as a resource, not someone they have to be delicate around,” Broadbent-Evelyn said. “We have to be engaged in the full scope of the military process and bring more than just an encouraging word.”
Beyond field exercises, the training reinforced the importance of building spiritual readiness through everyday practices such as reflection, connection and personal resilience. These efforts support broader programs that ensure Soldiers remain mentally, physically and spiritually prepared.
For many participants, the training provided both new insights and a renewed understanding of their role.
“The most valuable part has been revisiting things I thought I knew and realizing I didn’t know nearly enough,” said 2nd Lt. Jay Durton, chaplain candidate, 176th Medical Brigade. “It’s about sharpening ourselves and holding each other accountable to the standard.”
Durton emphasized the importance of the chaplain’s presence in maintaining unit morale.
“We are the heartbeat of the unit,” he said. “When Soldiers need someone to talk to, someone to be there in any environment, that’s what we provide. That connection helps keep them going so they can complete the mission.”
Training like ARC-BFT continues to evolve, incorporating more realistic and demanding scenarios each year to better prepare UMTs for future conflicts.
According to Martin, the training has moved beyond classroom instruction, emphasizing hands-on application that allows participants to practice and implement skills in realistic scenarios, making it more effective.
As the Army shifts its focus toward large-scale combat operations, leaders stressed that spiritually and mentally resilient Soldiers remain essential to mission success.
Martin added that UMTs support commanders by helping ensure Soldiers are ready across all domains, noting that when spiritual and emotional needs are addressed, Soldiers are better prepared for future missions.
| Date Taken: | 03.31.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.01.2026 13:06 |
| Story ID: | 561672 |
| Location: | FORT JACKSON, SOUTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 55 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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