Team Grissom chaplain corps: engaging the hearts of Airmen Published March 15, 2017 By Staff Sgt. Jami K. Lancette 434th ARW Public Affairs GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind. -- Guiding hearts and minds, Grissom’s chaplain corps work side by side for Airmen and families when needs arise. The mission of the 434th Air Refueling Wing chaplain corps is to provide military members and their families opportunities to their constitutional right to the free exercise of religion, but their job doesn’t stop there. “We are here because our first amendment guarantees our Airmen and their family members their right to free exercise of religion,” said Chaplain (Maj.) Alex Jack, 434th Air Refueling Wing chaplain. “Our number one job is to support and provide that opportunity for every Airmen to exercise their faith. “Chaplains have a specific faith group. I am a Christian chaplain, so I wouldn’t be able to provide a Jewish service because my faith is different,” Jack added. “However if I have a military member come in requesting a service or religious counseling other than my faith, it is my job to look for someone that would be able to provide for that member.” Chaplains are also available around the clock to counsel and offer privileged communication to military members and their families. “We deal with the specifics that are happening in their life, the crisis,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Obadiah Smith, 434th ARW chaplain. “The personal issues that they’re dealing with in their life at the time; we dialogue and give council and walk thru self-assessment so we can make them whole and resilient.” Working side-by-side is the chaplain assistant whose primary role is to provide support for ministry. Not only is it done through administrative means but also as the eyes and ears of chaplains. In order to become a chaplain’s assistant they must cross train from another Air Force career to provide a better perspective of other workplace environments. “I went from turning wrenches to turning hearts,” said Master Sgt. Benita Buckner, 434th Air Refueling Wing chaplain assistant. According to Buckner a chaplain’s assistant provides crisis intervention through spiritual guidance, workplace obstacles or referrals to others like the chaplain, Airmen and Family Readiness, Sexual Assault Response Center or other outside references “We lead you to the path to where you need to go,” said Buckner. The team must rely on each other because their work goes hand-in-hand. “The assistants are our eyes and ears of ministry; they may see or hear something that we may miss,” said Smith. “This makes them a critical asset to the team.” Their location plays a role in getting a military member or family member to the right resource if it’s needed. “Another unique thing about Grissom is we’re located in the total wellness center,” said Smith. “We have resources around us that help facilitate making people whole.” Those resources include A&FR, SARC, a financial counselor or someone who can point a military member in the right direction for outside help or religious counseling. A common misconception is that their hours are limited to unit training assembly hours, Buckner said. But they are available around the clock. Whether it be a death of a loved one, thoughts of suicide, relationship problems or any life crisis, the chaplain’s office can assist. “We’re traditional reservists,” said Buckner. “As TR’s people think were only available on UTA weekends but if it’s needed you can contact command post and be transferred to a chaplain whatever day or hour it is. “Because no matter what, we are still team Grissom,” Buckner added. To reach the chaplain’s office, call them at 765-688-4028 or visit them in bldg. 431. For emergencies and after hours contact command post at 765-688-2124. Worship services are provided on Sunday during primary UTA weekends. Protestant services are held at 11:00 and Catholic mass is held at 12:15. The 434th ARW is the largest KC-135R Stratotanker unit in the Air Force Reserve Command. Men and women from the Hoosier Wing routinely deploy around the world in support of the Air Force mission. Stay connected with the 434th ARW on Facebook and Twitter.
