The Chaplain Corps and the Profession of Arms

摘要

What does it mean to be a professional soldier after over ten yearsof war?" That is a primary question in our Army's current discussion of the "Profession of Arms." As the Chief of Chaplains, I believe that self-examination, whether as individuals or as an organization, is an extremely worthy exercise. As the ancient Jewish Prophet Jeremiah said, "let us test and examine our ways." Self-reflection that facilitates a greater awareness of strengths and weakness, that then empowers excellence and success in our duties, is always a noble pursuit. I commend our Army leadership for calling all soldiers to examine our ways and grow as a profession.The Profession of Arms is an interesting subject for a chief of chaplains to address, because chaplains—by Army Regulation 165-1, Army Chaplain Corps Activities—are noncombatants who "will not bear arms in combat or in unit combat skills training." Some might conclude that chaplains are not members of the Profession of Arms community, and there might be some validity to that position. Whatever position one takes on the question of noncombatant status in the Profession of Arms, I believe the Chaplain Corps plays an integral and essential part in supporting all those within the profession, by any definition. An anesthesiologist is not a surgeon, but both are doctors and both play key roles in a surgical procedure. The Profession of Arms consists of soldiers and, as not all doctors carry a knife into surgery, not all soldiers carry arms into battle. Chaplains are noncombatants by formal convention, but they provide religious and spiritual support to soldiers that helps empower the Army's spiritual center of gravity and helps maintain the inner strength of soldiers. I am confident the Chaplain Corps is composed of professional soldiers vital to the Army's Profession of Arms.