The Chaplaincy of the Alabama Army National Guard

130 Pages·2010·2.08 MB·English

by  Jimmy Black

LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
THE CHAPLAINCY OF THE
ALABAMA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
A Thesis Project Submitted to
Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary
in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for the degree
DOCTOR OF MINISTRY
By
Jimmy Black
Lynchburg, Virginia
May, 2003
Copyright 2003 Jimmy Black
All rights reserved
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LIBERTY BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
THESIS PROJECT APPROV AL SHEET
GRADE
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ABSTRACT
THE CHAPLAINCY OF THE ALABAMA ARMY NATIONAL GUARD
Jimmy Black
Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, 2003
Mentor: Dr. Luke Kauffman
A review of current literature demonstrates that very little information is
known of the Alabama Army National Guard Chaplain Program. Sources provide the
historical background of U.S. military chaplains. A survey of current chaplains in
Alabama provides this project with statistical information illuminating the current
status, and the project then reviews the job of chaplain in the Alabama Army National
Guard. Recommendations address the treatment of chaplains, recruitment of new
chaplains, and the education of chaplains.
Abstract length: 77 words
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABSTRACT ................................................... iv
CHAPTER PAGE
1: INTRODUCTION 1
Statement of the Problem
Statement of Method
Survey Questions
Statement of Limitations
Review of Literature
Military Abbreviations
Definition of Terms
Conclusion
2: mSTORY OF CHAPLAINS ..................................... 12
Before 1800
Chaplains During the 1800s
Chaplains in the Early 1900s
Post-World War II
The 1980s to Now
3: TYPES OF CHAPLAINS ..................................... 60
Military Chaplains
Other Types of Chaplains
Associations of Chaplains
4: TODAY S CHAPLAINS IN THE ALABAMA
ARMY NATIONAL GUARD .................................. 74
Personal Information on Chaplains
Basic Duties
Special Causes for Guard Units
Conclusion
5: EVALUATION ............ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Military Recognition
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Training
Recruitment
Requirements
Conclusion
APPENDIX A ................................................. 109
Survey form for Chaplains
APPENDIXB ................................................. 112
Charts Showing Results of Survey
Chart 1 Religious Mfiliations
Chart 2 Chaplains' Ages
Chart 3 Educational Background
Chart 4 Music
Chart 5 Civilian Occupations
Chart 6 Previous Military Service
BIBUOGRAPHY ............................................. 119
VITA .................... ~ ................................... 126
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CHAPTERl
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this research project is to provide an overview of the chaplain
program of the Alabama Army National Guard by chronicling the history of chaplains,
surveying current chaplains, and reviewing current recruiting techniques. Currently the
Guard is made up of chaplains with many different backgrounds, denominations, and
full-time vocations. Some of the members were enlisted for a number of years before
becoming a chaplain. Others enter the chaplain candidate program while still in school
and progress to becoming a chaplain. An evaluation of this program will be useful and
informative to those who recruit as well as those serving in the chaplain capacity.
Some chaplains come off active duty for various reasons and join the chaplain
program of the Alabama Army National Guard. These chaplains are experienced in
military life and are an asset to their organization. The last area that will be analyzed is
denomination and vocation. Baptists are believed to have the most chaplains in the
National Guard. This project will be able to determine how many chaplains are in each
denomination and religious organization. The survey will also show who chaplains are,
why they become chaplains, and what they do as chaplains.
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Statement of the Problem
The Alabama National Guard has not established the long range goals of its
chaplain program. The absence of long-range goals presents a problem in the recruitment
of new chaplains. Research shows a majority of chaplains will reach retirement age
within the next decade. This indicates a need for chaplains in the future.
Simply put, too few people know about the program. Alabama has the largest
chaplain program of any state in the United States. This project will evaluate the
Alabama Army National Guard chaplain program by analyzing denomination, age,
vocation, and worship services. The duties each chaplain performs and the differences
among chaplains will also be examined and evaluated.
Statement of Method
A survey was developed by the author and was given to each of the chaplains in
the Alabama National Guard on September 27,2000, at Fort McClellan. The chaplains
were instructed on the importance of the survey and were given 30 minutes to complete
it. After the survey was given, the surveys were collected, and the research began. Being
present at the meeting eliminated surveys not being returned and provided more data with
which to work.
The historical record of the duty of chaplains is chronicled in Chapter 2. Using
printed resources, the author will show the development of the chaplaincy program
throughout history. Chapter 2 will show the different types of chaplains that have
emerged over time and their specialized areas.
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The results of the questionnaire that was distributed to the Alabama National
Guard chaplains will be used to document facts in Chapters 3 and 4. The questionnaire
asked questions from age and education to denomination and vocation. Chapter 3
concentrates on the types of people who are attracted to the chaplaincy. Chapter 4
focuses on why these men have chosen this as part of their military career. Using the
survey results, journal articles, and military pamphlets, the author .will analyze the scope
of the chaplain's actual job in the military environment and offer suggestions for the
recruitment of new members to this program.
Survey Questions
The following questions were developed and designed with the express purpose
of obtaining information about the current chaplains' experience in the National Guard,
education, age, and responsibilities. The questions are as follows:
How long have you been a chaplain in the Alabama National Guard?
How old are you now?
What is your other vocation?
What is your denomination affiliation?
Were you on active duty as a chaplain before joining the Guard? Yes or No
If yes, in which branch did you serve, and how many years did you serve?
Were you an enlisted person before becoming a chaplain? Yes or No
What theological training have you completed?
How would you describe your preaching style?
Do you offer communion in the worship services?
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Do you have musical accompaniment in your worship services?
Are you willing to hold services other than on drill days?
Do you counsel with Guard members?
Do you counsel with Guard members' families?
Do you visit in the homes of Guard members?
Do you visit Guard members when in the hospital?
Do you perform marriages for Guard members?
Do you take part in Family Day?
Do you pray with the company officers?
In your opinion, what is the most important function you perform as a Guard chaplain?
Statement of Limitations
A limitation is that this project will only deal with the Alabama National Guard
chaplains and not those of other organizations. Another limitation is that only current
chaplains were consulted. Neither retired personnel nor those interested in the chaplain
program were included in the survey.
Review of Literature
A review of literature can be divided into four sections. These are military
pamphlets, journal articles, Internet sources, and published dissertations.
A great source on chaplain training is the Army Regulation pamphlet "Chaplain
Training Strategy." 1 This pamphlet provides a training and education strategy for
1 Chaplain Training Strategy, September 1, 1998, Pamphlet 165-17, United States Army.