"A good idea whose time may have actually come." Chaplain (MG) Doug Carver, U.S. Army, Retired, former Chief of Chaplains USA
Cadet Chaplain
Chaplain Kenneth Koon working with JRTOC cadets to serve 400 veterans dinner at Arkansas State University
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Cadet Chaplain is an exciting new program of Armed Forces Mission to introduce ROTC cadets to the work of the military chaplain and to mentor cadets with interest in pursuing a commission as a military chaplain.
Cadet Chaplain gives experienced chaplains an opportunity to invest in the lives of young men and women giving them an early first look into the role of the chaplain as a force multiplier. Cadet Chaplain may even prove to be as beneficial to the mentor chaplain as it is the cadet. Many chaplains today suffer from compassion fatigue and even secondary PTSD from years of dealing with the carnage of war. In the homeland between 2005 and 2011 more than 49,000 veterans died by suicide. Cadet Chaplain can be a place of respite for those who have been challenged by multiple suicides, intense case loads of pastoral care and other demands which wear on resilience. |
Under-ClassWill learn about the roles of the religious affairs specialist/program specialist in the various branches
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Upper-class
Will have the opportunity to learn about the roles and responsibilies of the first chaplain assignment.
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Character
Cadet Chaplain is ultimately an opportunity to invest in the development of the next generation of leaders at a time when morale within the military is at "rock bottom" according to several published reports.
Concept of Operations Plan for Development of Cadet Chaplain
Armed Forces Mission (AFM) is a Georgia non-profit serving troops and veterans with a mission to build resilience and restore hope. AFM's primary mission is suicide intervention and training. In addition, AFM developed a program called Send the Chaplain to provide greater chaplain coverage for Army Reservist, because "part-time soldiers have full-time issues". The Send the Chaplain program now serves a unit with 7,000 soldiers in addition to the veteran community. In the most recent 12 months AFM staff have conducted more than 150 successful suicide interventions.
Cadet Chaplain is the next logical step and in keeping with the mission to build resilience, by reaching and training individuals early, even before their careers begin. Those who go on to actually become military chaplains will be well grounded and those who choose different careers will also be well equipped to face the challenges of life.
Desired End State – The effectual training of resilient and educated individuals of strong moral character and skills that contribute to the well-being of the communities in which they live.
Execution
Phase I - Establish a chaplain presence on a college with an ROTC program..
AFM to provide a staff chaplain who will serve as special staff to the Commandant/Executive Director, typical of a military command structured relationship. The chaplain will serve as a key morale officer and be available as needed to provide other chaplain support services for both students and staff. [Note: Numerous studies validate the efficacy of a staff chaplain in both military and corporate cultures to include: lower turnover, increased job satisfaction, noticeable decrease in tardiness, higher employee productivity, and lower absenteeism.]
Phase II – Establish the Cadet Chaplain program by identifying those students who have interest in pursuing chaplaincy. Cadets participating in the program will be mentored by an experienced chaplain and trained in the roles and functions pertaining to the office of chaplain.
Phase III - Long Range Planning
AFM has established the Master Resilience Institute (MRI) as the training division of the organization. To date more than 7,500 individuals have participated in training opportunities. Cadet Chaplains will have the opportunity to be trained in resilience workshops, suicide intervention and mental health first-aid. This training will strengthen personal resilience and provide the Cadet Chaplain with skills that help other cadets and the corps as a whole. Cadets that wish to do more can be be certified as instructors in the Listen Learn Lead Suicide Intervention Training curriculum (L3) and potentially serve as bridges of hope in their respective faith communities. [note: typically seminar students working on a master of divinity do not receive any training in suicide intervention. Such training prior to seminary will be a tremendous benefit].
Benefit to School
The Cadet Chaplain program and Master Resilience Institute will be a tremendous benefit to the school with which it is partnered.
MRI training will be available as a community outreach that allows the school to develop stronger relationship bridges with the faith, civic, business, medical and mental health community consistent with the desired end state. Currently MRI provides CE credit for mental health professionals, law enforcement, nurses, and personal trainers. Additionally, we are working with the public school systems to provide required suicide intervention training.
Conclusion
MRI’s primary mission is and will be the reduction of suicide; now the 2nd leading cause of death among young people (ages 12-19). Suicide takes more lives each year than automobile accidents; surpassing the 41,000 mark in 2014. Among veterans the suicide rate is 300% higher than the general public. “Among college students there are more than 1000 suicides annually on college campuses across the US” (source Emory University).
The Cadet Chaplain program will strengthen the participating cadet, the student population, and the school as a whole. Development of MRI as a regional training program nested within a local college will strengthen the community. Suicide awareness and prevention will be increased and lives will be saved.
Cadet Chaplain is the next logical step and in keeping with the mission to build resilience, by reaching and training individuals early, even before their careers begin. Those who go on to actually become military chaplains will be well grounded and those who choose different careers will also be well equipped to face the challenges of life.
Desired End State – The effectual training of resilient and educated individuals of strong moral character and skills that contribute to the well-being of the communities in which they live.
Execution
Phase I - Establish a chaplain presence on a college with an ROTC program..
AFM to provide a staff chaplain who will serve as special staff to the Commandant/Executive Director, typical of a military command structured relationship. The chaplain will serve as a key morale officer and be available as needed to provide other chaplain support services for both students and staff. [Note: Numerous studies validate the efficacy of a staff chaplain in both military and corporate cultures to include: lower turnover, increased job satisfaction, noticeable decrease in tardiness, higher employee productivity, and lower absenteeism.]
Phase II – Establish the Cadet Chaplain program by identifying those students who have interest in pursuing chaplaincy. Cadets participating in the program will be mentored by an experienced chaplain and trained in the roles and functions pertaining to the office of chaplain.
Phase III - Long Range Planning
AFM has established the Master Resilience Institute (MRI) as the training division of the organization. To date more than 7,500 individuals have participated in training opportunities. Cadet Chaplains will have the opportunity to be trained in resilience workshops, suicide intervention and mental health first-aid. This training will strengthen personal resilience and provide the Cadet Chaplain with skills that help other cadets and the corps as a whole. Cadets that wish to do more can be be certified as instructors in the Listen Learn Lead Suicide Intervention Training curriculum (L3) and potentially serve as bridges of hope in their respective faith communities. [note: typically seminar students working on a master of divinity do not receive any training in suicide intervention. Such training prior to seminary will be a tremendous benefit].
Benefit to School
The Cadet Chaplain program and Master Resilience Institute will be a tremendous benefit to the school with which it is partnered.
MRI training will be available as a community outreach that allows the school to develop stronger relationship bridges with the faith, civic, business, medical and mental health community consistent with the desired end state. Currently MRI provides CE credit for mental health professionals, law enforcement, nurses, and personal trainers. Additionally, we are working with the public school systems to provide required suicide intervention training.
Conclusion
MRI’s primary mission is and will be the reduction of suicide; now the 2nd leading cause of death among young people (ages 12-19). Suicide takes more lives each year than automobile accidents; surpassing the 41,000 mark in 2014. Among veterans the suicide rate is 300% higher than the general public. “Among college students there are more than 1000 suicides annually on college campuses across the US” (source Emory University).
The Cadet Chaplain program will strengthen the participating cadet, the student population, and the school as a whole. Development of MRI as a regional training program nested within a local college will strengthen the community. Suicide awareness and prevention will be increased and lives will be saved.
