NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, Texas --
NAVAL AIR STATION FORT WORTH JOINT RESERVE BASE, Texas – For the first time since the re-designation of Tenth Air Force in 1976, a training conference specifically designed for the Chaplains Corps was recently held here.
Nearly 40 chaplains and chaplain’s assistants attended the conference representing 14 Religious Service Teams (RSTs) across the country.
The event’s theme was “Positioned, Impacted, and Inspired.”
“I believe these three words combine to enhance the posture of our RSTs as they deliver meaningful unit engagement, spiritually oriented counseling, referrals, worship, liturgies and rites to the greater 10th AF family,” said Chap. (Lt. Col.) Mark McDaniel, Wing Chaplain for the 301st Fighter Wing and Tenth Air Force. “These types of events enable our 10th AF Chaplain Corps members to gain career field specific information, interact with their peers and gain enhanced skills in performing their Chaplain Corps responsibilities.”
RSTs have the unique task of ministering to Airmen, civilians, and their families within the Air Force Reserve Command’s most diverse Numbered Air Force.
“We designed this conference to assist RSTs to gain a strategic perspective from the AFRC Command Chaplain Staff, the Tenth Air Force commander, as well as a tactical perspective from a wing commander,” McDaniel said.
Each session targeted the recurring subjects of intentional visibility within their units, focused engagement during counseling sessions, and strategic creativity to help chaplains, and their assistants, had better serve leadership, Airmen, civilians, and their families.
Tenth Air Force Commander Maj. Gen. Richard Scobee opened the conference by sharing his message about the important role chaplains’ play.
“I need my chaplains to be out there among our Airmen so they can see and put that face with the organization. Then, when they need you, they are not afraid to come and talk to you,” the general said.
“No one can do this alone… I need a team to cover all my bases. I need commanders that will command and wield resources. I need first sergeants and chiefs that will run their organizations and hold people accountable, yet be approachable when necessary to help with the resourcing as well.”
Conference goers received training on creative thinking skills, tools to aid in restoring broken people, one-on-one career mentoring from AFRC/HC Staff, and resources on time and productivity management.
One attendee shared a lesson she learned from the conference.
A new chaplain, Chaplain (Capt.) Jessica Werner, from the 310th Space Wing, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, said, “I felt as if I got all of the different pillars connected. I was really encouraged spiritually … as well as given some new tools in my tool belt.”
All chaplains also received their Couple’s Enrichment certification, which equips chaplains with vital resources to strengthen marriages. The Department of Defense uses this program at its Yellow Ribbon Reintegration events throughout the nation.
“You are successful at what you are doing and I just need you to keep doing it,” Scobee said to the attendees. “And if you feel that there’s an impediment to it… overcome it one way or another. Move around it, go through it… whatever you need, but realize you have people like me who will advocate for the things that you do because it’s that important.”