JB MDL Chaplains are here to help

Published Aug. 18, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Dennis L. Sloan
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is home to more than 40,000 men and women with a wide variety of different religious beliefs and needs.

The base houses four chapels with an array of religious denominations and services available to the community.

"We are accepting of everybody, regardless of their faith," said Chaplain (Capt.) Raphael Berdugo. "We're here to help everyone."

The chaplain's mission is to promote comprehensive and agile spiritual readiness for America's most combat ready, mobility and expeditionary warfighters. The chaplains also provide spiritual guidance to the community members such as: spouses, children and retirees.

Services, such as weekend and daily mass, are offered at the four chapel locations for various religious dominations. Religious education for children and adults is offered as well as bible study during the week and weekend. Monthly luncheons, trips and council meetings are open to community members interested in getting more involved.

The Department of Defense recognizes more than 40 separate religious denominations. The base does not contain representatives or chaplains from each one, but does have several which provide direct service. Chaplains will seek help from the surrounding community and families so all servicemembers have the opportunity to practice their faith whether it be on base or not.

"We will accommodate servicemembers religious needs by finding a place of worship or utilize the community in supporting their religious needs," said Navy Chaplain (Capt.) Kay Reeb.

Chaplains must have a masters degree in divinity from their denomination, have been ordained and practicing their religion for two years and be indorsed by their denomination before they can become a Chaplain in the United States military.

Before a seminary student can even become a Chaplain they must first apply and complete the Chaplain Candidate Program.

The CCP commissions seminary students as 2nd lieutenants. The seminary students must have a bachelor's degree in their field of theological or related studies from a qualifying educational institution and pursuing a masters degree. The students must also be 35 years or younger before entering the program. The programs length is two to three years and the students have no commitment once they finish the program.

"The program is set in place to help seminary students realize if they would be suitable as a military chaplain," said Chaplain Candidate (2nd Lt.) Shay Bailey. "I could go through the entire program and at the end realize I'm not cut out for the military chaplain program. It all depends on the person."

If a candidate decides to stay in as a military chaplain, he or she will perform counseling, weddings, funerals, religious progression practices and community events.

"We will do the same religious practices as if we were in a civilian setting, but with some military duties as well," said Chaplain (Capt.) Mark Jurkowski.

While practicing and performing all of their religious duties, chaplains must also stay fit-to-fight and pass the physical training test twice a year.

"We put our duty to faith first, but must also follow the same military standards as any other servicemember," said Reeb.

One thing which makes chaplains unique from other counseling services on base, such as mental health or family help, is their 100 percent confidentiality policy. Unless a servicemember has intent to harm themselves or others, the chaplain cannot report them to the first sergeant or commanders.

"We have an obligation to the servicemembers to keep what they tell us confidential," said Berdugo. "We are the only service on base which offers this amount of confidentiality."

Chaplains are also liaisons between servicemembers and their commanders. If a servicemember has a religious need conflicting with their day-to-day military duties, a chaplain can step in and speak with the commander about it. Even though a chaplain may speak with the commander about the problem, the commander still has the final decision on whether or not to comply with the servicemembers religious needs.

"For the most part, commanders go out of their way to accommodate the servicemember, but they will not know of the problem unless we make them aware of it," said Chaplain (Capt.) Scott Brill.

Other than helping servicemembers with day-to-day issues, chaplains also deploy with the servicemembers.

"Anywhere the servicemembers go, we go," said Brill.

Death notifications are another responsibility chaplains must perform.

When a servicemember dies at home or abroad, a chaplain and a death notification officer drive to the servicemembers parents or spouses home and notify them of the death. They provide counseling with the family and any support they may need during their grieving period.

"Being a military chaplain is very tough, yet very rewarding," said Berdugo. "I'm in a position where I can help servicemembers and their families get past tough points in their lives. Some are drawn to this position by God, some forced and some recommended. I was told I would be a good fit for the military chaplains program."

Chaplain (Col.) Timothy Wagner, 87th Air Base Wing chaplain, is the head chaplain of JB MDL and coordinates all the services, community events and acts as a liaison between all the different units. He has a staff of more than 30 officers, enlisted and civilian personnel who support him in bringing spiritual readiness to all of JB MDL.

Chaplains are available 24 hours a day and can be reached at 754-HOPE during regular duty hours. Community members should call the installation chaplain duty officer at 206-7429 if they need to speak with a chaplain after duty hours. Visit www.jointbasemdl.af.mil/chapel.asp for a listing of services, mass times and locations.

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JB MDL Chaplains are here to help