Chaplains conduct ‘blitz’ to engage with JBER Airmen

by Air Force Staff Sgt. William Banton
JBER Public Affairs

3/13/2014 - JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaksa -- Decisive edge. Increased engagement. Shifts in resources.

These words could be used to describe any military unit planning tactical engagements, but few would guess that these words apply to the base chaplains.

In an effort to improve the chaplaincy's focus of the spiritual needs of Air Force personnel at a tactical level, this past fall Air Force Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Howard Stendahl, Air Force chief of chaplains, directed that 70 percent of a chaplain's time be spent directly in units and at least 18 hours be spent in face-to-face unit engagement.

To meet this requirement, the JBER chaplaincy decided to visit each unit in an effort described as a blitz. The chapel staff broke down JBER-Elmendorf into 12 zones, which they visit on a rotating basis to guarantee they contact every Air Force unit each month.
"Since squadrons are so spread out, chaplains were spending too much time traveling from building to building looking for their people," said Air Force Chaplain (Maj.) Steven Richardson, JBER deputy chaplain. "Many Airmen were being missed, so we decided to visit geographical areas so everyone sees a chaplain or chaplain assistant at least once a month."

The blitz enables chaplains to meet new requirements while maintaining core competency and functions of the chaplaincy, said Air Force Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Kenneth Reyes, JBER chief of chaplains.

"We deploy like a small force and we fan out across the zone," said Tech. Sgt. Steven James, JBER Chapel Center noncommissioned officer-in-charge of operational support.
Some zones have more buildings in them than others, so chaplains and chaplain assistants are divided into teams to ensure they maximize outreach without hindering productivity and don't overwhelm one building with their entire staff.

"I think it's awesome because you hear all the time, 'Hey, go see your chaplain' or 'go talk to a chaplain'," said Tech. Sgt. Torey Moore, 962d Airborne Air Control Squadron air surveillance technician. "I'm sure someone out there doesn't even know who their chaplain is."

James explained that this type of outreach doesn't have to be spiritual in nature, though it can be. The intent is to introduce chapel staff to Airmen and make sure the needs of the Airmen are being met.

"There is no ulterior motive," James said. "There is no running to your commander and saying, 'Hey, Johnny's not OK,' unless that needs to happen -- and then there is a procedure for that."

James said this allows them to show service members that they care.

"Whether caring is shaking a hand, high fiving them or giving them a cup of coffee, we are there," James said. "If you want to talk about whatever [that's OK]. Talk about 'Call of Duty' - because I throw down like a hoedown. I'm not bragging, I'm just saying."

During the 2013 holiday season, the chapel used this process during morale checks for Airmen who live in the JBER dorms.

"People were shocked to see us but when they realized it was a chaplain and a chaplain's assistant just saying 'Hey, how are you doing?' there was a conversation and they were pleased to see us," James said. "Before that, it was them at attention and 'there is a major and a technical sergeant at my door. What do I do?"

The recognition and willingness of individuals wanting to come and talk to the chaplains is one of the bigger advantages of the blitz, said Air Force Chaplain (Capt.) Roland Reitz, JBER chaplain.

"They're more comfortable with us coming around," said Reitz. "There is not a stigma about talking to a chaplain because we are part of the unit. We are part of the furniture; we are just out and about with them so it's not strange to for us to be walking through the unit because they know who we are."

The process is so effective that other base chapels have reached out to the JBER chaplaincy staff, which has blazed a trail, Reyes said.

"It's not being prideful or anything, that's just how we need to think because things are changing like this," Reyes said, snapping his fingers three times. "We just can't sit around and wait for someone to say 'Hey maybe it's time to [do something].'"