FORT BRAGG, North Carolina – With the exception of a few uniforms peppered throughout the congregation, it’s hard to tell that religious service held at Fort Bragg’s Main Post Chapel is different than any other service. In reality, the chapel’s congregation is made up predominantly of Soldiers, government employees, and retirees.
The chaplains leading the services are assigned to various units around the base and choose to volunteer their time at the chapel.
Lt. Col. Cregg Puckett, a Mississippi Army National Guard Chaplain mobilized to Fort Bragg’s U.S. Army Special Operation Command (USASOC), is the senior pastor at the Main Post Chapel.
Chaplain Puckett believes the ministry is a calling and the chaplaincy is a right.
“The constitution calls for us to provide for the free exercise of religion and so we have a mandate as given to us by our constitution to provide ministry to Soldiers and families,” said Puckett. “So it’s of utmost importance, the chaplaincy for the military.”
The Brandon, Mississippi native was mobilized to Fort Bragg last year as the Chaplain / Pastoral Coordinator for USASOC. For Chaplain Puckett, deploying is nothing new.
“I deployed in 2003 and 2009,” said Puckett. “This has been a unique opportunity, whereby I am in more of a supporting role, ministry role. I am supporting unit ministry teams and soldiers that are deploying back and forth”
His supervisor, U.S. Army Col. Keith Croom, USASOC Chaplain, elaborated on Chaplain Puckett’s assignment.
“What he does in our office is, he handles an organization, a program called the strong bonds,” said Croom. “He’s in charge of providing ministry for soldiers and their families through retreats.”
But in addition to providing pastoral support to soldiers, Chaplain Puckett brings something else to the unit.
“He’s good with people, he comes fresh out of the pastorate,” said Croom. “He just brings a fresh set of eyes to what we do daily.”
Puckett, a graduate of Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, Mississippi, is married with four children. His family has accompanied him on this mobilization.
“My family has always been so supportive of me,” said Puckett. “My beautiful wife, my children, my extended family, my parents, and everyone related to/connected to us by virtue of being family. Nothing but support in terms of their helping us move out and to do things like this.”
As a minister, Chaplain Puckett always strives to grow.` .
“We are grateful to the lord first and foremost for the opportunity that god has given us to serve in any capacity, certainly this season in Fort Bragg on active duty has been a rich opportunity for us, it has broaden our perspective and our experience as a chaplain and as a family,” said Puckett. “It has been a tremendous opportunity to serve soldiers.”
The Mississippian’s hard work doesn’t go unnoticed.
“He loves Soldiers because he is one, and he loves families because he has one,” praised Chaplain Croom. “Cregg Puckett makes a difference every single day from his office in the USASOC Headquarters as he cares for Soldiers.”
After this mobilization, Chaplain Puckett and his family plan to continue serving wherever God leads them.