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Chaplain Obligations
The Chaplain of a chapter is responsible for leading the opening and closing prayer of chapter meetings. He / She serves as the spiritual leader of the chapter. This frequently causes the Chaplain to be called upon to represent the chapter at a funeral for deceased members or other events. A Chaplain must also send sympathy cards to the spouses of the ceased as well as chapter members who are out sick.
It doesn't stop there though. It is important for a Chaplain to visit members of the chapter when they are ill,
and visit family of chapter members who are deceased. It's important to realize that sometimes a family may prefer no sympathy cards, flowers or calls. The Chaplain acts in accordance with the family's instructions.
The details outlined above are merely the foundation defined by the DAV Officer Guide. There are many more details that need to be considered to be most effective as the Chaplain of a chapter. We must remember that every individual we socialize with, not just chapter members, deserves respect and a Chaplain should establish social dialogue with them before approaching. |
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Interactive Social Communication
The average human brain has an abundance of social neurons. These neurons serve as filters which allow us to identify when, how and with whom to react. As a Chaplain, when socially interacting with others each day, everyone is influenced from that interaction. When others around you laugh, the interaction with others stimulates you to feel good and possibly laugh as well.
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This is a vital detail with victims of PTSD trauma from military service in general, as well as MST.
For a victim of a traumatic PTSD experience, the social interaction we normally practice can instead serve as a trigger to cause an unintentional aggressive response to occur. For others, they simply become more reticent or restrained in their reaction. |
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Did You Know...
For an "MST/PTSD Survivor", they have put up a wall to protect themselves from the traumatic experience they have endured. The normal flow of social neurons in their brains doesn't
allow them to recognize and respond as effectively as the average person.
A Chaplain should remember they have no way of knowing the emotional state of anyone by a mere glance. More often than not, there is an underlying message in what the person you are interacting with is sharing with you. |
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Preparation
A Chaplain must always be prepared! There are specialty services available at the National Center for PTSD Treatment and VA Mental Health services at VA medical centers. A Chaplain should keep up to date on the services available in their area for PTSD/MST and suicidal concerns so they are ready to be there for a Veteran when needed most in social interaction. |
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According to J. Asbrand, a psychologist with the Salt Lake City VA's PTSD clinical team,
It's not about the sex; it's about power and control. |
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Understanding The Entire Picture
A Chaplain, needs to have a full and complete understanding of the entire picture. This is a vital part of a Chaplain's labors to not just know how to communicate effectively, but have a full understanding of the resources available for a Veteran.
A Veteran might appear to have suicidal ideations but if you don't know where to send them or who to contact, then that Veteran's life might be lost because of a Chaplain being uninformed. A Chaplain is not a service officer but should be fully aware of all resources available for the Veterans a Chaplain serves. |
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Did You Know...
Personal assumption is one of the most powerful mistakes a Chaplain can make in introducing yourself to someone.
It is important to remember that no two people are exactly alike. Remember you are there for them, not them for you. Listen to what they say as you interact with them to establish the most effective way to provide support based on fact not assumption. |
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Personal Risk
When a Chaplain socially interacts with others each day, everyone is influenced from that interaction. When others around a Chaplain laugh, the interaction with others stimulates the Chaplain to feel good and possibly laugh as well.
For a survivor of a traumatic PTSD / MST experience, the same social interaction can instead serve as a trigger to cause an unintentional aggressive response to occur. For others, they simply become more reticent or restrained in their reaction.
It is important to consider the fact that a victim of MST, is not responsible for their actions. A Chaplain must always be cautious not just in the benefit of the Veteran, but your own self.
Over 60,000+ male Veterans alone, are survivors of MST (Military Sexual Trauma)
and PTSD (Post-traumatic Stress Disorder) per year! |
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The Initial Step To Positive Change
Every individual has a different battle to fight in order to understand and/or contribute to the improvement of their lives. The most important part as a Chaplain, is that they help others take the initial step to begin that change for improvement desired. That is in actuality one of the most difficult. To overcome that challenge is a substantial accomplishment.
After taking that first step, it's not always an easy path to travel. For some, there are plenty of mental speed-bumps or chuckholes potentially along the way. For others, the transition can seem like a big relief. One just needs to remember that their new path is unique and their own. It is by their own conscious choice how they handle it with you as their Chaplain. |
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