Chapel provides foundation for spiritual resilience

Published April 23, 2015
By Airman 1st Class Aaron J. Jenne
4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- Nearly 70 faith groups are represented among the more than 5,000 Airmen at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.

With such a diverse group of Airmen bringing a wealth of spiritual needs, the base's five active-duty chaplains, three chaplain assistants, also known as Religious Support Teams, and a contracted Catholic Priest work tirelessly to meet the needs of each one.

"We primarily have Catholic and Protestant services here at the 4th Fighter Wing chapel because our chaplains and contractor are Catholic and Protestant," said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Dwayne Keener, 4th Fighter Wing chaplain. "We're able to meet the needs of those faiths directly as Christian chaplains, but we are also prepared to provide for the needs of other faiths. The 4th FW Chaplain Corps team is confident we are able to accommodate needs of all faith groups represented at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base."

The chapel created an extensive list of religious groups of different faiths that practice anywhere from Raleigh to Fayetteville. Many of those contacts are provided in the Local Faith Group Points of Contact brochure found at all chaplain corps facilities and are also available at the newcomer's briefing. Also, the chaplain corps has multiple specific faith group literature resources available, free of charge, to those who ask for them.

For those who don't have time to travel off base during the duty day to meet religious needs, the chapel remains neutral and available during the duty day for prayer and other religious observances for all faiths. The chapel may also invite qualified local spiritual leaders to lead services on base.

"If there are people from a particular faith group who come to us and tell us 'We have a need for services here, can you help us?,' I can reach out to the specific faith group leadership and request a qualified religious group leader to come here and provide those services," Keener said. "Once I've established a ministry agreement with them and have a copy of their credentials, I'll set them up in the chapel for programs and services."

Keener explained providing spiritual care and accommodating religious needs is the chaplain corps' most important priority and they are advocates for the constitutional right to the free exercise of religion for every Airman.

Free exercise of religion is also accomplished by chaplains advising commanders on religious accommodation matters to equip commanders in making decisions which require special consideration, mission permitting. For example, some religions may require specific dietary, clothing, grooming and medical procedures in addition to worship practices.

"Our focus is on protecting our Airmen's right to the free exercise of religion and accommodation is a significant piece of ensuring that freedom," Keener said. "Accommodation is more than tolerance - we aren't just putting up with others when we accommodate them, we're respecting them and their beliefs. We don't necessarily believe the same way others believe, but we respect their right to do so as Americans and will do whatever we can to accommodate them."

Keener added that free exercise of religion also means the freedom to not observe a religion at all and accommodate those Airmen through confidential counseling and spiritual care.

While religion and spirituality are often thought to be synonymous with one another, the Air Force believes they are not mutually exclusive. This is done in an effort to be more inclusive to Airmen who consider themselves "spiritual," but may not prescribe to any particular religion.

Chaplains may be required to conduct services within the confines of their ordained faith, but spiritual needs are considered universal in accordance with the whole person concept the Air Force practices, said Master Sgt. Christopher Davidson, 4th FW chapel operations superintendent.

The whole-person concept is about Airmen growing in a well-rounded manner to be more productive members of the community and society. The four pillars that comprise the whole-person concept are spiritual, physical, mental and social resilience.

"Meeting spiritual needs is pivotal, that's why it's recognized as one of the four pillars," Davidson said. "Whether we understand it or not, our spiritual side is something that needs to be cared for. If it's off balance - not at the same level as our physical, mental and social resilience - something has to give, and often that creates instability in the whole person."

The duties don't end with services in the chapel building. Religious Support Teams visit units across the base to conduct random acts of kindness, or "RAK Attacks." Often involving a free lunch, the RAK Attacks allow chaplains and chaplain assistants to introduce themselves to Airmen and hopefully boost their morale.

Marriage enrichment classes, retreats for married and single Airmen, dorm barbecues, and 100-percent confidential counseling are other ways the Chaplain Corps Team cares for Team Seymour.

Though all of these services and efforts are in place, Keener said they are always looking for ways to improve.

The chapel sends out an annual needs assessment to glean important information regarding religions on base, their associated needs and requirements, and how the chapel can better accommodate them. Year-round, they also routinely visit base agencies, building rapport and talking to Airmen.

"If you need something, please ask," Keener said. "We're here for everybody."

For more information, to reserve the chapel, or to share a need with the chapel staff, contact your unit chaplain or call (919) 722-0315.