Chaplain's assistant helps Airmen, families keep the faith

by Gina Randall
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

8/13/2014 - RAF MILDENHALL, England  -- Many service members and their families may turn to their faith in difficult times. Whether it's marriage, finance, family or work problems affecting the spiritual or mental health of Airmen -- the chapel is there to help.

One such Airman serving the chapel, and the community, is U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Joshua Hartvigsen, 100th Air Refueling Wing NCO in charge of chapel readiness and training from Bountiful, Utah.

He sees the stress the community is under and wants to help. He believes in the Air Force and the way of life it offers people and their families. But life isn't the same as it was when he joined in October 2003.

"Take it as it is, it's a changing Air Force. You've got to come in with an open mind," Hartvigsen said. "You've got to come in knowing that you might only be here for your enlistment, or for longer."

But he knows it isn't just the military world that is changing; military leaders are reacting to an ever-evolving world.

"Everything is so uncertain right now. I think that's the times as well. We live in a world that is really unstable. Sometimes you have to react to it," the Utah native said. "If you do join, live your day, do your best that you can every day, take advantage of all that the Air Force has to offer."

It's at times of uncertainly that many people look to their faith to offer a sense of stability -- something that will always be a part of their life no matter what country they are stationed in.

The chapel offers a wide range of support to the Air Force community with many programs, including Protestant Women of the Chapel, bible study, men's bible study group, single Airmen bible study group, and Mothers of Preschoolers where a group of moms get together to offer support to each other.

"They have an uplifting message, they can bring their kids, it gives the moms some time to themselves, it gives kids time to play with other kids and run some energy out before going home. It's a time for the moms to get revitalized," the NCO added. "We've got Club Beyond that we work with over at RAF Lakenheath. We're really involved with that program as well as Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed which is geared toward the younger group of kids."

He helps get the programs, which begin in September, ready and keeps them running.

"It's more of helping the community in the bigger scheme of things. We have these programs that help individuals get connected," Hartvigsen added.

Hartvigsen enjoys his job as a chaplain's assistant, ensuring the chapel is ready for the community. He helps takes care of the logistics in the chapel. He makes sure the facility is looking its best to offer a sanctuary for users.

"As well as with the chaplains out in the squadrons, we team up with them in religious support teams," he said. "We're out there probing the morale, finding out what the pulse of the base is so that we can up channel our thoughts to leadership."

Base leaders care about their Airmen and their families and want to balance getting the demanding mission done with less people, while still allowing them time to work on their spirituality.

Many service members don't always have time to come to the chapel when they dedicate so much of their time to the mission. So the chapel believes in getting out into the work centers.

"If they can't come to the chapel, the chapel comes to them. I enjoy getting out and meeting different people. Being out in the units has really opened my vision of a bigger Air Force," Hartvigsen reflected. "Even though people may think they have an insignificant part, they really do have a huge place in the bigger scheme of the Air Force. It's like a jigsaw puzzle, with one piece missing, the whole puzzle can't be completed."

Meeting the community also helps develop Hartvigsen as an NCO, and as an Airman. He learns a great deal from the Airmen -- knowledge he can use to help others.

"The other thing I like is actually going out there and participating and learning what others do. Sometimes we have the ability to do that. We've gone on refueling missions to learn about their job so we can get a better understanding of what they do. We go over to the comptroller squadron to find out what finance does and learn the ropes," he said. "It broadens your horizons. That's what I really enjoy, being out there and helping individuals with issues that they might have in their life."