Every year the 57th Expeditionary Signal Battalion (ESB) Religious Support Team (RST) proposes the Command Master Religious Program (CMRP) to the Battalion Commander for review, guidance and approval. The 57th ESB is about 500-Soldiers (with an additional 500+ Family members). And so, it is important to develop a robust, creative program. It takes numerous hours of research of regulations, operational goals, budget constraints and unit-specific stressors. After gathering the data and feedback from Staff and Command teams, we approach other Religious Support Teams (Installation, Brigade and other Battalion-levels) for guidance, wisdom and support. And then, once we have a draft of the CMRP and identify potential weakness or problems with the draft, then we may utilize a technique called, “crowd-sourcing.” Basically, if there is an issue or problem, the RST may submit a general idea or concept so we come up with creative ideas and/or solutions. This will assist the RST to come up with reasonable COAs (Course of Actions). After we develop COAs, we select the best COA and finalize the CMRP for final submission to the Commander.
“Refuse good advice and watch your plans fail; take good counsel and watch your plans succeed.”–Proverbs 15:22
The Command Master Religious Program has several components: mission statement, goals, program descriptions, lines of effort, logistics, etc. For the purpose of simplicity, we will share the mission statement, values, and program descriptions. Our hope for sharing the CMRP is two-fold: 1) to be transparent in showing you (the reader) what the Chaplain does for our Soldiers and Families (and as your knowledge grows of the Chaplaincy ministry, you will be able to pray more effectively), and 2) to share with other professional Chaplains so to generate ideas for their ministry. And so, here are the components of the CMRP: mission statement, goals, and program descriptions.
MISSION STATEMENT:
57th Expeditionary Signal Battalion Religious Support Team provides Religious Support Operations for 57th ESB Soldiers and Family members at Fort Hood, Texas for FY 2011 to enhance combat readiness, improve spiritual resiliency and maintain strong and stable relationships.
GOALS:
- Spiritual Care through service-oriented programs.
- Soldier Care through mission-focused programs.
- Soldier well-being and family readiness through family-centric programs.
- Professional team development through providing and sustaining multi-discipline skills.
- Logistics through transparent stewardship.
“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”—Jimmy Dean.
BACKGROUND of PROGRAMS:
- Worship service and Spiritual Fitness events fulfills Title 10 [law] requirements that every Soldier is entitled to worship freely.
- CMRP provides programs for Soldiers and Family Members in the Battalion. Programs address a realistic assessment of the Religious needs of the Command by the Religious Support Team.
- Programs focus on Single Soldiers’, Married Soldiers’, and Family members’ Spiritual fitness and resiliency, morale, unit cohesion, team leadership development, and Family readiness. Classes/retreats strengthen relationships. Fellowships enhance unit cohesion and develop cultural awareness.
IMPACTS: Multiple deployments and Operational TEMPO have intensified stress on Soldiers and their Families. Thus, it is imperative to increase Soldiers and Families spiritual resiliency and readiness.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS:
Worship services, to purchase Distinctive Faith Group religious literature, supplies and icons in support of the faith needs of the Soldiers of the 57th ESB. The literature subject matter will be targeted to address the faith and Family development needs of the Soldiers and Families. Icons (pictures, images, statues, etc.) are fundamental items of faith needed in the worship of God.
Spiritual Fitness Luncheon (SFL), will be conducted four times a year, coordinated with 57th ESB Training Schedule. Program intended to provide an ecumenical, quarterly event that allows Service members from all faiths groups to gather together for fun, food, and fellowship on the importance of God, sacred text and prayer in daily living. During the SFL there may be a time of patriotic prayers, special music (of contractual services), and a guest speaker. Invite speakers that will bless attendees and challenge the community to make a difference.
Sacred-text or faith-based book clubs, to provide faith-distinctive book clubs is an intentional means of spiritual enhancement for the Soldiers and Families. The faith-based book clubs will address topics of interest and relevance to the lives of Soldiers and Families. (for example, Pentecostal Soldiers and Family members desiring to read their faith-distinctive book in their small group discussions).
Spiritual Fitness Events through prayer, a weekly Spiritual Fitness Event focusing on the topic of prayer as sources of spiritual strength for Soldiers and Families. This event will address topics of interest and relevance to the lives of Soldiers and Families.
Garrison Chapel Support, takes the form of Funeral Duty and On Call Duty Chaplain tasking managed by the Garrison Chaplain’s office. Usually the cycle is once a month for each (about 10-days). Unit training exercises and Strong Bonds retreats take precedence to Garrison support when synchronized with Garrison Chaplain’s office. Once a Funeral Duty and On Call Duty Chaplain tasking are published; 57th ESB RST will provide the Religious Support required. Scheduling conflicts will be addressed in a professional manner. Garrison Support also includes leading and supporting the Garrison Chapel communities. This includes but is not limited to worship services, Bible studies, and maintenance of the chapel and its grounds.
Chaplaincy Annual Sustainment Training and other RST professional training, Chief of Chaplains premier training event to train Active Duty, Guard and Reserve chaplains and chaplain assistants in mission essential responsibilities and the Chief of Chaplains Strategic Objectives and goals for 2011. This conference is a mandatory annual training requirement for all Religious Support Teams throughout the Army. Other RST training for Chaplain Assistants may involve: Fund Resource Manager, Medical Ministry Course, off-site Brigade RST training, etc. In addition to CAST, Chaplain Assistant will go to another RST training event per year.
Chaplain Professional training and denominational endorser relations, to provide expenses for the Battalion Chaplain to attend his annual denominational conference at both National and State-level. Chaplain will receive continuing and ministry education, professional training in pastoral counseling and multi-cultural ministry, and spiritual renewal and fellowship with other ministers of the Chaplain’s faith group.
Command training to enhance Operational readiness, Chaplain improves professional skills in the area of training for Suicide Awareness, ASIST (T4T), Battlemind, Crisis Intervention Stress Debrief, etc. The trainings provide the RST members to train in specific skills that will enhance Unit combat readiness fulfilling Deployment Cycle Support training.
Leadership off-site and/or Staff ride for off-site work projects, team building exercies, and leadership development training, the leadership offsite is designed to enable Battalion staff and Company Command teams to get away from their daily routine interferences of the workplace. One purpose of the offsite is to assist the team in the sharing of ideas and increase dialogue in operational planning. The staff rides are superb tool for developing the decision-making skills of leaders at all levels. The staff ride allows the participants to examine and analyze military/historical decisions made by leaders of the past in concert with an on-scene study of the actual terrain upon which the military/historical event took place. Of both the offsite and staff ride events, all members may be provided a read-ahead packet and/or professional book with all relevant information assisting in their preparation and increase efficiency.
Financial Peace University training, is designed to enable Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) with basic coaching skills to help Soldiers and Families plan for emergencies, overcome debt, establish winning money habits, and set goals for the future. This program is intentionally a Train-the-Trainer approach in increasing financial readiness throughout the Battalion. Training will cover topics like the counseling process, budgeting, cash flow planning, financial issues in marriages, retirement, college planning, insurance, bankruptcy. NCOs will be equipped with the knowledge needed to walk those in need through all types of financial situations. For up-to-date training and enhancing teaching skills, one TDY will be schedule annually for either the Religious Support team or the Combat Financial Specialist to attend.
Strong Bonds Program for relationship enhancement, is a command-sponsored, chaplain-led program which assist commanders in building individual resiliency by strengthening Soldiers and Families. It is preventative skills-based relationship building program. For up-to-date training and enhancing teaching skills, two TDYs will be schedule annually for either the Religious Support team, FRSA or volunteer Family Group Readiness to attend.
Soldier and Family Support groups, this program will provide support groups to Soldiers and Families who may be struggling in alcohol/substance abuse, divorce-care, grief-care, stress-related issues, anger management, etc. This program is designed to increase both emotional and social resiliencies among Soldiers and Families. The support group will be designed to assist Soldiers and Families approaching life’s challenges in a positive, optimistic way by demonstrating self-control, stamina and good character with their choices and actions.
“When planning for a year, plant corn. When planning for a decade, plant trees. When planning for life, train and educate people.”–a Chinese proverb.
(If you are a Chaplain and desire to have a copy of our CMRP, please look me up on the Global AKO or shoot me an email)
