Air Force Reserve chaplain candidates practice what they preach during intensive internship

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. James Branch
  • 94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
Robins Air Force Base, Ga. --  Serving Airmen and Pursuing Excellence is part of the Air Force Chaplain Corps motto. Recently, 17 Air Force Reserve Command chaplain candidates challenged themselves both physically and mentally during the 35-day Chaplain Candidate Intensive Internship from July through mid-August.

Open to seminary and professional religious school students who have completed Air Force Commissioned Officer Training and the Chaplain Candidate Course, the program serves as the second of four phases of the Chaplain Candidate Training Plan, evaluating candidates’ suitability and potential for commissioning as an Air Force Chaplain.

Candidates get a broad overview of military life by visiting different military installations and meeting with service members from all branches of the armed forces.

“The CCII provides training of chaplain corps processes, such as modeling ethical leadership, religious observances, pastoral care and providing advice to leadership.” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) James Danford, 94th Airlift Wing chaplain and program officer-in-charge. “We expose the candidates to numerous mission sets across different major commands.”

Tasked with developing and executing the curriculum for this year’s program, Chaplain Danford and Master Sgt. Justin Erwin, CCII troop commander, saw the need to add a mobility field exercise, simulating a deployed environment where the candidates interacted with foreign residents and performed first aid to wounded personnel.

“This training is designed not only to expose chaplain candidates to different missions, but to the people who perform those missions,” said Erwin. “We want them to understand the deployment tempo for today’s service members, or what it’s like to work in extreme conditions. This helps them in their ministry.”

While chaplains are not authorized to carry fire arms or give command authority, the candidates are trained to rely heavily on chaplain assistants, on and off the battlefield.

“Chaplain assistants provide support to chaplains in many areas,” said Erwin. “We not only ensure the safety of the chaplain, but aid them in their ability to minister to our Airmen. For many of the candidates, this is their first military experience, so we assist them in their transition from civilian to military life.”

2nd Lts. Jordan Huggins and Azariah Terrell, chaplain candidates, saw the CCII as a learning experience. After being ordained, both wanted to venture outside the church and meet new people.

“The people you encounter make this such a worthwhile experience,” said Terrell. “The program encourages you to be open-minded and teachable. No matter the denomination, we all learned from one another.”

Candidates thought of the Air Force Chaplain Corps as a way to further their ministries.

“Being a military chaplain is not just a career, it’s a calling,” said Huggins. “It’s very demanding, but at the same time, very rewarding.

Many of the candidates have yet to decide what career path to take; Air Force Reserve, active duty or IMA. All are weighing their options.

“This program gives the candidates a realistic total force picture, and allows them to make what they feel is the best choice for their career,” said Danford. “The graduates will serve in their individual denominations, being ministers to some, but Air Force chaplains to all.”

During the CCII, candidates visited Robbins Air Force Base, Georgia, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, JB Charleston, Hurlbert Field, McEntire Joint National Guard Base, Tyndall AFB and Eglin AFB.