chaplains are mostly the only place where the soldiers have to reflect on their lives. They need the reflection on their lives so as to reduce the stress on hardships and separation with their families. Those who serve in the military chaplains are required to have background knowledge on both theology and military basics. Knowledge about the military basics is important so that to make sure that the one giving the service understands the needs and the feelings of the soldiers.

Strengths of the Military Chaplains

One of the strengths that the military chaplain has s the ability of providing the soldiers with somewhere they can experience soul search and recount their activities. Every human being requires sometimes where they are free to think and reflect about their lives(Bartov& Mack, 2001). In the military, it is always hard to have such moments as much of the time, the soldiers are under surveillance. The soldiers ares them with this rare opportunity to reflect their lives and spend some time with their maker.

The chaplain offers some form of comfort and assurance to the soldiers giving them the urge to push on. Since the soldiers are used to the communal life where they are addressed collectively, they feel left out. The soldiers might not be at peace with their conscious(Dickens, 1998). However, chaplain offers this chance of giving them comfort as they discover that their problems get addressed at personal levels.

Weaknesses

The major weakness that the chaplains have is the limitation of carrying weapons to the chaplains. Although most soldiers understand the reason behind the limitation is to show some respect to their maker, it makes them feel vulnerable. Most soldiers are used to staying in an environment where they always carry guns and firearms. They are not supposed to go to chaplains with the guns(Hadley & Richards, 1992). The limitation makes the soldiers feel unarmed, and they feel vulnerable like they can get ambushed at any given time.

(Freeman, 2005). The confinement makes some members feel left out and make them lose any personal relationship with the chaplain.

Different people can provide ministerial services in chaplain; however, there is only one chaplain minister. Mostly, the chaplain minister serves a large group of people. For this reason, sometimes it becomes demanding to the minister to deliver his or her duties effectively.

Opportunities

Soldiers are always deployed to various missions and leave their families behind. When the soldiers are away from their families, the thing that concerns(Hansen, 2012). The soldiers feel reassured knowing that their families have a source of motivation when they are not there with them.

The chaplains have the opportunity of residing over the soldiers religious functions. Soldiers have their activities just like any other human beings. They would like a connection where they are able to feel they are also human by having their various activities conducted by their fellow soldiers. The chaplain provides them with the opportunity of ensuring that they enjoy such services.

Threats

All members of the chaplain must remain blameless on their daily activities both within and outside the chaplain. There is always a watch that monitors the members’ behaviors both in and outside the premises. If a member is found with some behaviors that areare mostly be punished. For this reason, some people(Laing, 2010). Existing members may also leave the chaplain so that surveillance on them can stop and also to eliminate the probability of being punished.

There is also a threat of collapsing of the chaplain if there is destruction of trust between the leaders and the chaplain members. The chaplain might base their trust on the single chaplain leader whom they term as holy and blameless(Todd, 2013). As any human being is to err, in case the leader engages in some activities that are not in line with the religious teachings, the members lose trust in him or her. The mistrust most probably leads to the collapse of the chaplain before a replacement is found.

Conclusion

easy to note the importance of the chaplain in the military life. Chaplain is the only place where the soldiers feel at peace during their stay in the mission as they have time to listen to their creator. For this reason, chaplain should be made one of the first priorities while setting out a military base so as to ensure that the soldiers get the comfort they need.

References

Bartov, O., & Mack, P. (2001).In God’s name (1st ed.). New York: Berghahn Books.

Dickens, W. (1998).Answering the call (1st ed.). [S.l.]: W.E. Dickens.

Freeman, J. (2005). The Potential for Religious Conflict in and outside the United States Military (1st ed.). Ft. Belvoir: Defense Technical Information Center.

Hadley, D., & Richards, G. (1992).Ministry with the military (1st ed.). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Book House.

Hansen, K. (2012). Military chaplains and religious diversity (1st ed.). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.

Laing, J. (2010). In Jesus’ name (1st ed.). Eugene, Or.:Wipf and Stocks Pub.

Todd, A. (2013). Military chaplaincy in contention (1st ed.). Burlington: Ashgate.