US National Guard Chaplain Training 

The Rev. Stephanie Jenkins, Rector of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Lawton, has taken on a new role as a chaplain for the 545th Brigade Engineer Battalion, part of the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in the Oklahoma Army National Guard. This summer, she began her training at the Basic Officer Leadership Course (CHBOLC) at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. The 12-week CHBOLC program is a rigorous, outcomes-based training designed for newly commissioned chaplains and chaplain candidates. Rev’d Stephanie recently completed the first six weeks of this program, which integrates professional, physical, academic, and spiritual development. It also serves as the first opportunity for many chaplains to work in a multi-faith team, offering religious support to a diverse military community. Here are a few things Rev’d Stephanie has learned and experienced during her time: Army Physical Fitness: A vigorous Army physical education program and adherence to Army standards for physical fitness. At least 5 days a week starting before sunrise, including Ruck Marches at the end of Phase 3 requires a10 mile ruck. Multi-Faith Collaboration:Working in multi-faith teams to solve religious support problems and implement effective solutions. Stepahine had the opportunity to train with Buddhist, Hindu, Islam, and Christian chaplains or chaplain candidates. Academics: An interactive and challenging academic program requiring critical thinking and decisive action. Digital Tools: Digital systems used to simulate operational religious support scenarios. Field Exercises: Time in the field experiencing Army life in a military operation (i.e. early mornings, land navigation at night, the final CAPSTONE is 4 days in the field in tents going through various simulations chaplains will encounter throughout their time in service). Reflecting on her experience, Rev'd Stephanie shared, “I love sharing and living out the teachings of Jesus Christ, as I understand them, through the traditions of the Episcopal Church in a military setting. Serving as a chaplain requires the practice of seeing and working in many "shades of grey" to meet the Chaplain Corps mission 1) nurture the living, care for the wounded, honor the dead 2) advise command on ethical and moral aspects of war.” “I find being rooted in my tradition equips me well to meet people where they are and offer spiritual support. I especially love being part of a team that seeks to provide spiritual support to Soldiers and their units with the end goal of caring for the full person knowing this care facilitates each soldier to meet their mission and therefore to best meet the Army's mission.” Rev’d Stephanie also shared about how she has witnessed and experienced God's presence during training, “Certainly in the care and support of the staff at United States Army Institute of Religious Leadership (USAIRL) --- they are superb! I was fortunate to be in a really cohesive CHBOLC class that definitely had varying theological differences and was committed to learning from each other with the goal to better support soldiers' needs in the future.” “I felt God consistently breaking through my fellow chaplains - be it their humor, their encouragement, their attention to detail, their willingness to help me come up to speed as a new the Army/straight off the street chaplain - both in the funny lessons & as I encountered my limits.”