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FINANCES: As we are in the second quarter of the year, I want to thank all of our chaplains, active and retired, who contribute to this ministry. Please know that your support of the ministry is greatly appreciated. I encourage individual chaplains to review their overall tithes and charitable giving and either begin regular contributions or bring your regular gifts up to date, as part of the “Fair Share” contributions. Your support makes this ministry possible. We are committed to using the resources frugally and effectively for the benefit of chaplains.
CHAPLAINS CONFERENCE: We continue to receive a few inquiries concerning a Conference. In ongoing discussions with several of you, the current demands of Optempo and Deployments continue to be intense. Consequently, there remain a very limited number of Chaplains who could attend a conference. We may conduct a meeting of chaplains at a couple of the Christian University Lectureships in the future. Please provide feedback as to location and event would best suit your needs. Please know that we want all of our Chaplains to be able to attend annual spiritual and theological events that meet your needs at our Universities or Lectureships.
THE NATIONAL RESOURCE DIRECTORY: I want to remind you of the resource. This is an excellent, unique and new resource for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans and their families.
To view, go to: http://www.nationalresourcedirectory.org. The National Resource Directory is a partnership initiative of the Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs and provides wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans, their families, families of the fallen and those who support them with a web-based directory of valuable resources.
It delivers information on, and access to, the full range of medical and non-medical services and resources needed to achieve their personal and professional goals across the transitions from recovery to rehabilitation to community reintegration.
This online partnership links to the services and resources of federal, state and local governmental agencies; veterans service and benefit organizations; non-profit community-based and faith-based organizations; and academic institutions, professional associations and philanthropic organizations
Another good resource is http://www.warriorcare.mil/
ARMED FORCES CHAPLAIN CENTER: Chaplain Gary Payne, USA, shared an article concerning the Armed Forces Chaplain Center (AFCC) at Fort Jackson, SC. Chaplain Payne is the US Army member on the AFCC Transition Team at Fort Jackson. See the article at: http://www.army.mil/-news/2009/03/19/18442-afcc-advance-team-gears-up-for-classes/ . You can also view several articles on the AFCC in the September and December editions of 2009 NCMAF/ECVAC Newsletter at www.ncmaf.org The AFCC will be dedicated on 0900 hours, Thursday, 6 May 2010.
CHANGES TO USAR CHAPLAIN CANDIDATE PROGRAM:
There are significant changes in the USAR Chaplain Candidate Program. Beginning in FY 10 USAR Chaplain Candidates will be no longer be assigned to the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR), but they will be members of the Select Reserve (TPU Soldiers), and as such will be required each year to complete a “good year” (50 points) for retirement. Listed below are salient points from an information paper concerning the new policy: A supervising chaplain is assigned to each candidate while a TPU Soldier. Candidates will be members of the Select Reserve, retain their student status and are non-deployable. The implementation is still being worked out but will offer several means for a Candidate to complete a “good year:” The benefits of being assigned to the Select Reserve include eligibility for the wide range of benefits of other drilling Reserves: Low-cost life insurance (SGLI); Low-cost health insurance (TriCare); and receive monthly income (for Soldiers performing monthly BTA with unit); access to military installations, lodging, facilities, shopping; military-space available flights; Military OneSource services; VA Benefits: home loans and Montgomery GI Bill; dependent military ID card, if applicable; and Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). POC for additional information is Chaplain (COL) Boyd, 703.601.1878.
In addition, there is a new Chaplain Candidate Reappointment Policy in effect as of 1 December 2009. USAR Chaplain Candidates desiring to reappoint as a Chaplain must serve at least one year as a Chaplain Candidate from the date of appointment as a Staff Specialist before applying to the US Army Chaplaincy. POC is Chaplain (MAJ) Meeker, 703-601-1128.
RECRUITING AND ACCESSIONS OVERVIEW:
ARMY
- One ARNG Chaplain Board selected.
- One ARNG Chaplain Candidate board selected.
- Two ARNG Chaplain Candidate applications in process.
- One USA Chaplain application in process.
AIR FORCE:
- One USAFR Chaplain Candidate application in process.
NAVY:
- One USN Chaplain Board selected.
- One USNR Chaplain Candidate approved.
- One USNR Chaplain Candidate application in process
VA:
Three endorsed applications awaiting selection
BOP:
One BOP Chaplain application in process
CAP
One CAP Chaplain application in process.
APC
- One renewed for Board certified membership.
- One Board Certified membership awaiting board action.
- One Board Certified membership application in process.
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