Chaplain assistants provide foundation for spiritual support Published June 14, 2010 By Tech. Sgt. Vernon Cunningham 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- When a military member seeks spiritual guidance, typically a chaplain is who comes to mind. Chaplains provide counsel to whoever needs it, both stateside and while deployed. However, every group of chaplains has a core of chaplain assistants to make sure the foundation of their mission is operating effectively. "Chaplain assistants handle a lot of the functions of the chapel so the chaplains can minister, do pastoral care and do their job to the fullest," said Staff Sgt. Scotty Duncan, 82nd Training Wing chaplain assistant. "We are the computer guys, facility managers, advertisers, bankers and whatever else is necessary to get the job done." Many people will speak to a chaplain assistant before speaking to a chaplain, Sergeant Duncan said. "Chaplain assistants are the eyes and ears of the chaplaincy," he said. "It is our job to get the people who need help to the chaplains. "We also ensure that our chaplains are able to use their energy wisely. Chaplains have huge demands on them for time and emotional support. It is our responsibility to ensure they are taken care of; sometimes that means demanding they take a break." Chaplain assistants must attend technical training to become qualified for their job. Chaplain Assistant School is at Fort Jackson, S.C. Fort Jackson is a joint-service training environment with both the Army and Navy sister services. The training is six weeks of finance training, religious requirements, religious accommodations, specific faith familiarization and more. "Many people believe that we are mini-pastors or chaplains," Sergeant Duncan said. "That couldn't be further from the truth. Even though we have confidentiality, we are not chaplains and are not supposed to counsel. "We focus a lot of time on finance, chapel statistics, service setup and preparation, facility management and other duties. The reason we have confidentiality is because we work in such close proximity with chaplains and sometimes it is necessary for us to triage and prioritize incoming counselees." In addition to servicing state-side chapel needs, chaplain assistants are trained in the skills necessary to assist in performing ministry in a deployed location. "When I am deployed, more people know my face and get to see me all the time; this makes talking and visitation more effective," said Sergeant Duncan. "Stateside, I am more of an e-mail name. Not only do we have many demands of our time, but so do the people we are trying to reach. When we are deployed, sometimes talking is our only outlet, thus making visitation more effective." The sergeant said he loves deployments because it is where chaplain assistants get the most time to talk and really take care of people. Sergeant Duncan said during a deployment, he befriended an Iraqi antiquities minister. The sergeant said the minister would tell stories about the first time he encountered a U.S. soldier. "I was really able to see the positive effect the United States has had on his country," Sergeant Duncan said. "It gave me a deeper understanding of our duty." Whether stateside or deployed, chaplain assistants provide the structure necessary for chapel services and spiritual healing to take place.