Chaplains Strengthen Partnership with Navy Wounded Warrior-Safe Harbor

By Christianne M. Witten, Chief of Chaplains Public Affairs

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- A dozen chaplains from Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC) met with regional directors and staff from Navy Wounded Warrior (NWW), Safe Harbor for a training to advance success in warrior care at the Washington Navy Yard June 11-13.

This was the first time so many chaplains have participated in a comprehensive NWW training, which also highlighted the key role chaplains play as referral partners to increase awareness of the program.

The training also coincided with Post-Traumatic Stress (PTSD) Awareness Month.

On the final day of training, NWW Non-medical Care Manager Lt. Chet Frith shared his personal PTSD struggles, sparking new ideas among the chaplains on how to enhance support for service members diagnosed with the condition.

"As we look at the comprehensive recovery of our seriously wounded, ill, and injured Sailors and Coast Guardsmen, we need to address the hidden wounds of warfare, the emotional and spiritual trauma resulting from over a decade of sustained combat operations and high op tempo," said Capt. Brent Breining, director of NWW.

"Chaplains are experts in these areas, and NWW is excited to explore an increased partnership as we seek to provide the best care for our wounded warriors," Breining added.

During the three-day training, chaplains learned about the breadth and depth of non-medical support services NWW provides Sailors and Coast Guardsmen dealing with both combat and non-combat related injuries and illnesses. They also learned about the case management review process to understand the wounded warrior journey within the program.

Capt. Johnny Poole, chaplain for CNIC, briefed on the many areas where chaplains can serve as partners in care for these Sailors, Coast Guardsmen, families, and staff by providing them completely confidential counseling and a listening ear.

He went on to discuss the spiritual tools chaplains bring to bear to help service members manage depression and reframe traumatic experiences, while also highlighting opportunities for wounded warriors and families to help others through peer-to-peer and caregiver support groups.

Poole also shared the importance of the sacred relationship that chaplains can develop with the wounded warriors and their loved ones, and "the power of the spoken word to transform the way a person thinks, acts, feels, and lives."

The chaplains in attendance represented various Chaplains Religious Enrichment Development Operation (CREDO) centers across CNIC regions. They discussed ways to further their partnership with NWW staff, especially non-medical care case managers and recovery care coordinators.

CREDO programs offer pastoral care retreats, seminars, and workshops that help increase resilience and can foster healing with the wounded warriors and families.

"Across my career, it has been a great privilege to serve on a multi-disciplinary team dedicated to the treatment and support of our wounded warriors, our members who are ill or injured, and their families or caregivers. It is an awesome responsibility to minister to them and their families in the hope of not simply survival or endurance, but restoration," said Cmdr. Philip King, deputy chaplain for CNIC, when asked about the role of the chaplain to care for the Navy's seriously wounded, ill and injured.