Chaplain as Religious Liaison in the Global War on Terror (GWOT)

摘要

Joint doctrine identifies the chaplain as a potential liaison with foreign religious officials. Many of these religious officials carry authority beyond that of church doctrine as they often wield power essential to stabilizing a given region. Chaplains need to understand this liaison role and train to it to make their expertise available to the Operational Commanders in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). In this way, chaplains can minimize inter- religious friction while maximizing intercultural understanding during conflict and post-conflict operations. Chaplains in this liaison role can be a factor in removing the issue of 'religion' from insurgents while caring for the needs of the indigenous population through local religious leaders and nongovernmental agencies (NGOs). Chaplains can, and must be used to assist the Operational Commander in stabilizing a region where military forces are currently employed without violating the chaplain's unique role as a noncombatant.