Michael Paddy – Module Six Written Assignment – CHPL500

Chaplains as Moral Advocates and Moral Builders

No one can deny that the implicit and explicit role of the chaplain in the military is to

provide faith and religious support to the soldiers in their assigned command. The question

arises when there might seem to be a conflict of interest and calling when it comes to the moral

and morale dimensions of the ministry of the chaplain. Do their faith, denominational influence,

and/or overall command influence and orders limit or expand the ability and boundaries a

chaplain has in fulfilling their role as moral advocates and morale builders.

The Mission and Calling of the Military Chaplain – Previously stated in a paper

written for this class on pluralism, Army regulations state that: “Commanders are responsible for

the religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical well being of all personnel in their commands…The

staff chaplain has a primary staff responsibility to assist the command in the planning,

development, and implementation of these command responsibilities.” (Malin 2003, 2) The

responsibility when it comes to moral and morale issues is the Commander. The role of the

chaplain is to support the commander in this duty. But a casual reading of papers and books on

the subject show that the influence of those areas of well being are usually delegated to

chaplains, (Bergen 2004, 240). The question then is whether there are limitations and boundaries

to the ability of the chaplain to influence and implement moral and morale issues within the

military structure?

A Chaplain Serving in the First Half of the Twentieth Century – Up until World War

II the chaplain’s role was limited in areas of moral and morale building. In the areas of morals,

chaplains gave the mandatory “Sex Morality Lecture” more to try and curb the on setting

problem of STD’s, (sexually transmitted disease), than to really give a moral compass, (Bergen

2004, 233). Helping soldiers with personal problems, family concerns and adjusting to the

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 Michael Paddy – Module Six Written Assignment – CHPL500

military were some of the most important aspects of morale building for the chaplains. Some of

the other duties these chaplains found themselves involved in were entertainment, recreational

and social functions working closely with the Special Service officers in their unit, (Bergen

2004, 234).

A Chaplain Serving in the First Half of the Twentieth Century – A marked difference

in ministry and service was seen following World War II. One of the new programs was

Character Guidance which provided moral and morale building opportunities as well as religious

instructions. The program a Command responsibility from its beginnings its development and

indoctrination fell under the responsibility of the Office of the Chief of Chaplains, (OCCH),

(Bergen 2004, 234). Religion played a strong component in its content. The Cold War which

was seen as a battle against godless communism also became an important opportunity to

encourage the ‘moral power’ of the United States military. The army chaplains’ role became a

decisive influence in the indoctrination and religious influence on the military and the strong

moral principles of the American way of life. The Chief of Chaplains, Major General Luther D.

Miller predicted that the chaplain would increase in areas of influence and training in moral and

morale issues in the future of the Army, (Bergen 2004, 235).

Challenges for the Chaplain in Areas of Moral and Morale Building – One of the

major concerns and complaints from some chaplains, as well as organizations churches from

which the chaplains originated was the inability to preach and influence specific moral agendas.

These agendas though morally correct, Biblical views in the belief and minds of the chaplains

were and are sometimes not allowed as part of the command influence and implementation they

might desire. One such issue was partial birth abortion. A memo written by an Air Force

official called any preaching or direct influence against the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act would

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be considered political activism which is a direct violation of Pentagon directives against such

actions. Even a Pro abortion Senator from New York called the memo a direct violation against

church and state and limited the chaplains’ ability to build morals and morale in the military,

(Anonymous, Concerned Women for America 1996, 1). The question then is whether the role of

chaplain in moral and morale building issues is a sincere desire of the military to use the chaplain

in his/her fullest capacity or merely a military tool to try and bring some issues in name only for

moral and morale?

Conclusion – Moral and morale issues can be seen in non-military religious roles as a

valid ministry to the public at large. Though the Pastor would have no limits except

ecclesiastically and theologically in carrying out their calling in the ministry, the calling for those

in chaplaincy roles must come to the most difficult decision of whether they can serve with

certain restrictions in their service or not serve, not obey, and to carry out the military’s

expectations upon them thus facing the consequences of their actions under such a Command.

The role as moral advocates and morale builders can be a rewarding and vital ministry. Each

person who would consider entering into the chaplaincy must come knowing full well their

respected duties and roles and perform them first to God and then to the United States of

America, their specific branch of service and command.

References:

Doris L. Bergen, Editor, Chapter Eleven: From Morale Builders to Moral Advocates: Military

Chaplains from the First to the Twenty-First Century, (Notre Dame, Indiana: University of Notre

Dame Publishers, 2004)

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Anonymous, Military Chaplains Receive Gag Order, (Concerned Women of America

Newsletter, December 1996, accessed 11/28/2008), available from

http://www.cwfa.org/articledisplay.asp?id=1299&department=CWA&categoryid=life; Internet

Don Malin, Military Chaplains and Religious Pluralism (Watchman Fellowship of Alabama,

April 2003, accessed 11/21/2008), available from http://www.wfial.org; Internet