Resources
Chaplain Captains Career Course Smart Book (pdf)
CHAPLAIN BRANCH TRAINING
The digital references are outstanding interactive training products in key Chaplain Corps areas.
Digital Reference 1 "Funerals and Memorial Services - A reference on the key steps to conducting a funeral, memorial ceremony, memorial service, or ramp ceremony to honor our fallen Soldiers.
Digital Reference 2 "External Advisement - A reference about advising the command on the religious factors within the area of operations and the impact on the unit mission within an area of operations.
Digital Reference 3 "Planning - An outline of religious support planning process, including how to make decisions, develop plans and execute the religious support mission in a fluid and dynamic operational environment.
Digital Reference 4 "Overview - A brief overview of the US Army Chaplain Corps, its history, US Army and Chaplain Corps doctrine, foundational documents and its integration into the Army structure.
Digital Reference 5 "Internal Advisement - A reference instructing how chaplains and chaplain assistants can plan with commander's guidance and develop courses of action to meet the commander’s intent.
The Chaplain Corps (ARNG) Handbook provides chaplains and Unit Ministry Teams a ready reference to support Unit Ministry Team operations at the tactical level. Of particular note is chapter three which discusses the role of the UMT in the Operations Process and chapter four which discusses the similarities and differences of religious support between Defense Support to Civil Authorities (DSCA) and other tasks of decisive action.
ETHICS and the CHAPLAIN
The Ethics Smart Book for C4 has an abundance of information available for you.
Additional information on Ethics and the Chaplain can be found here.
HOMILETICS
The Homiletics Smart Book for C4 has information on homiletics and communication coaching.
Additional information on Homiletics can be found here.
FAMILY LIFE
The Religious Support Family Life Ministry Smart book for C4 has an abundance of information available for you.
Additional resources for Family Life can be found here.
WORLD RELIGIONS
World Religions encompassess the required capability to advise the command. This involves internal advisement (advising the command on issues of religion, morals, morale, and ethical decision-making internal to the unit). A critical component of internal advisement is religious accommodation. The required capability to advise the command also involves external advisement (advising the command about the impact of religion in a specific area of operations). Follow the link to access the World Religions and Advisement Smart Book: 2020.
CHAPLAIN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
The Chaplain Resource Management Smart book
Additional Chaplain Resource Management resources can be found here.
COMMON CORE
Common Core refers to the common lessons that all captains in the Army receive. Common Core focuses on the areas of the Army Profession, Operations, Mission Command, the Operations Process, and Training. These are the critical skills and concepts all Chaplain must understand in order to be effective religious leaders and advisors within their units.
Click here to access Common Core Curriculum. (CAC enabled) At the AKO Login drop down list, select "Windows Authentication." Select FY18.1 Curriculum for the most up-to-date lessons for the Common Core.
OPERATIONS The Center for Army Lesson Learned (CALL) has a vast array of resources to assist with understanding and participating in the Operations Process. One of their most popular documents is the digital MDMP Handbook.
ACROSS CULTURES The Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC) has an array of products focusing on language and culture. The cultural training resources are especially helpful when constructing operational and religious area analysis. Chaplains who are involved with Regionally Aligned Forces (RAF) or part of State Partnership Programs (ARNG) will find training targeting for your country of interest. Research ACROSS CULTURES for all your cultural resources training needs. Click on the tab for Cultural Orientation or Countries in Perspective. (note also language training resources)
DOCTRINE
Combined Arms Center Multimedia Resources
The Combine Arms Center has developed outstanding, interactive media instructional lessons covering many of the of the foundational doctrinal publications. (CAC enabled)
The following IMIs are of particular interest to Mid-Level Officers (CPT) and are central to common core learning at USACHCS:
Large Scale Combat Operations
In OCT 2017, the Army significantly updated FM 3-0 Operations. The focus of FM 3-0 is on Large Scale Combat Operations. Click here for a synopsis of Religious Support implications of Large Scale Combat Operations.
PROFESSION AND ETHICS
Training Support Packages (TSPs)
The Center for the Army Profession and Ethic (CAPE) has developed a series of Training Support Packages (TSPs) that provide training for Leaders in the meaning and expectation behind being a professional, and part of the Profession of Arms. These TSPs are excellent resources for unit, or small group training. Training in profession and ethics will enhance Chaplain Identity by focusing on the context of religious support, being a professional within the Profession of Arms.
Of particular interest for mid-level chaplains are the following TSPs
- Comprehend Membership in the U.S.. Army Profession
- Apply Principles and Practices of Army Professionals to Leader Situations
- Senior Leader Education Guidance Package
Ethical Modules - Scenario Driven TSPs
CAPE has also developed scenario driven TSPs to assist in developing ethical decision making. These scenario driven TSPs begin with a video of a Soldier who had to make an ethical decision in some very challenging and at times life-threatening situations. The TSP includes questions for facilitated discussion.
Future Force Self Study Program
The Army Capabilities and Integration Center (ARCIC) has created a self study program of professional development that can be used for individual or group development. Each topic in the program has several lessons that include information, reflection questions, supporting videos, and recommended reading. Topics include: Military History, Leader Development, The Effects of War (very important for chaplains!), and Building Mission Command. Click here to explore the training topics and resources available. .
International and Operational Law
The Judge Advocate Corps have developed standard Training Support Packages (TSPs) in the areas of International and Operational Law. These provide a legal framework for Common Core areas of study to include: Law of Armed Conflict and DSCA. Additional TSPs are available as well as "video classess" on several topics which will enhance the mid-grade officer's understanding of the legal framework for operations and decision making. This site is CAC enabled.
DEFENSE SUPPORT TO CIVIL AUTHORITIES (DSCA)
DSCA is unique among the tasks of decisive action as it is executed in the Homeland. (US and territories). While primarily the resonsibility of the National Guard, all components may be called upon to provide DSCA. The Army National Guard has published a a chaplains handbook which includes a chapter on religious support (chapter 4). That handbook can be accessed here.
Advanced learning in DSCA support the 21st Century Soldier Competency of "Cultural and joint, interagency, intergovernmental, and multinational competence." Additionally, UMTs that are able to function effectively in DSCA operations support the Chief of Chaplain's campaign plan line of effort to "Enhance Interoperability".
Specialized training is available through on-line, self study programs that help build knowledge of the policy, organization, and tactical considerations of DSCA operations. This in turn will strengthen the effectivess of UMTs providing religious support in this aspect of Unified Land Operations.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers an independent study program that provides credentialing in the area of DSCA support. More information about this program can be found here.
Individual on-line classes are also available, of particular interest for UMTs are:
Religious and Cultural Literacy and Competency in Disaster
Introduction to Incident Command System
National Incident Management System (NIMS) An Introduction
National Response Framework An Introduction
Learners can also enroll in DSCA classes through Joint Knowledge Online (JKO). These classes focus on the role of NORTHCOM in DSCA operations. (NORTHCOM is the Combatant Command for the US mainland). These classes are CAC enabled.
One hour overview of DSCA
DSCA Phase 1 training (six hours)
CH (BG) Ray Woolridge (ret.) wrote his Army War College Paper on the subject of Religious Support (RS) in the DSCA environment. CH Woolridge became the NORTHCOM Chaplain, responsible for RS in HD. Presented in 2005, this paper reviews the history of recent RS to DSCA, the lawful authority questions of providing RS in DSCA, as well as policy and legal considerations. This paper can be accessed here.
Questions regarding the information on this page can be sent to the C4 Course Manager.