PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Military members around the globe sign on as volunteers to defend the many freedoms of the United States. Here at the 920th Rescue Wing, the Reserve Chaplain corps has a unique mission providing warrior care to combat search and rescue Airmen while ensuring their 1st Amendment rights.
Col. Randy Marshall, deputy command chaplain, and Chief Master Sgt. Natalie Gray, chaplain assistant functional manager Air Force Reserve Command, made their way down to the 920th RQW during the Wing’s Unit Training Assembly Jan 7-8, 2017, for a senior religious team one-on-one engagement with the chaplain’s office here.
Serving the country as a Citizen Airmen requires they juggle overseas military deployments, civilian careers and family-life. This lifestyle is demanding and the chaplains are on-call to help.
“The rescue mission requires members to put themselves at risk and in combat trauma environments where they can have experiences that could cause post-traumatic stress,” said Chaplain Matthew Simpson 920th RQW Chaplain. “Also, we have a variety of faith groups that fulfill their spiritual needs in varied ways.”
“Our visit this weekend is to encourage the chaplains and get to know them, and them us,” said Marshall. “It’s an informal way to discuss issues and it opens relational doors.”
With 70 different faith groups in AFRC, the missions of chaplains are unique.
“The chaplains are trained to provide for something outside their traditional ministry,” said Marshall. “We respect the individual and provide for any ministry they may need.”
During the year, Marshall and Gray make their way around AFRC chaplain’s offices. With over 40 offices in the command, it takes them three years to get to every office.
Air Force Reserve Command is dedicated to Comprehensive Airman Fitness and creating social and physical conditions conducive to the resilience of the Air Force Reservists across the mental, physical, social and spiritual domains.
“It’s an honor to serve in this spiritual capacity,” said Simpson.