What Do Chaplains Do?

The below trifold on the mission of UMTs may prove a useful tool as you introduce yourself to your organization, particularly the Command Teams. There is space for you to add your UMT contact information on the back. 

UMT Tri-Fold

Chaplains, Religious Affairs Specialist/NCO’s, and UMT Resources

Caregiving for USAR Soldiers

Suicide is a very complex subject. There is no one thing, answer, person, PowerPoint slide, sermon etc. that will solve this issue. When working with at-risk Soldiers, remember you are part of a professional community. You can refer Soldiers for specialty care and to other helping professionals. Your colleagues in the chaplain corps can also be a resource and encouragement for you.  You are NOT alone!  Below are some resources designed to assist you in supporting Soldiers who may be at risk.  It is also a good practice to have your local community resources at hand (local hospitals, mental health clinics, VA etc.) You may want to distribute the "Referrals, Support Agencies, Caregiving Resources" to squad leaders as you regularly connect with this critical leadership level. 

1. Referrals, Support Agencies, Caregiving Resources
2. Centerstone Clinic Booklet: Mental Health – The Basics
3. Trauma Diffusing Exercise
4. 12 Potential Red Flags all Chaplains Should Know
5. Suicide Prevention Best Practices
6. Costs of War: A Report on Suicide among Veterans and Servicemembers (June 2021)
7. Pastoral Care to Victims of Sexual Harassment and Assault

You are part of a team that can set conditions that promotes a healthy environment and discourages suicide. Take a moment and flip through the handbook below.  You may want to do a "Control F" search for Chaplain.  This will clarify what the Commander should be able to expect from you as part of their unit's interdisciplinary prevention and care team. 

Suicide Prevention

Mental Health issues regularly rank in the top three factors of completed suicides in the USAR.  One of our best partners in referring USAR Soldiers, especially TPU Soldiers, is the Psychological Health Program (PHP). The PHP can be part of your cross disciplinary support team! Please take some time to review the brochure and slides below. The last two slides are a collection of resources that you can distribute throughout your formation. 

1. The Army Reserve Psychological Heath Program - Brochure
2. Psychological Health Program Resource – Slides
3. Suicide Prevention: Reducing Suicide in Army Formations BDE and BN – Commanders Handbook
4. U.S. Army’s Suicide Prevention Website

Professional Development Opportunities

Please note that some of the below resources are not endorsed nor funded by the US Army Reserve. 

US Army Institute for Religious Leadership (USA-IRL) - School List

Graduate school for Army Chaplain corps Professional Development - GSACCPD

School for Spiritual Care – Army CPE
School for Spiritual Counseling – Family Life
School for Professional Development
School for Academic Degrees

Wesley Theological Seminary Doctor of Ministry (Military Chaplains Track): Wesley’s Doctor of Ministry program for Chaplains was developed following the events of 9/11 as the seminary committed to serving U.S. Military Chaplains in new and deeper ways. It’s a rigorous program of graduate-level courses, and it helps Chaplains go deeper and broader intellectually, emotionally, psychologically, and in their leadership skills. To aid Chaplains in their pursuit of educational and theological development, the seminary also committed to providing 100% tuition scholarships for all military Chaplains.

Each year, Wesley Theological Seminary accepts 24 military Chaplains into their program and covers the full cost of their tuition (equivalent to $22,000.00). The student only covers their fees, books, and costs associated with the two in-person courses required in the program track. Also, at the discretion of the registrar's office, transfer credit for military schooling (such as C4) can be awarded for up to 6 credit hours. For more information, use the following link: Wesley Seminary

Points of Contact for the USAR Chaplain Directorate

The USAR CMD Chaplain Directorate and Programs can be accessed through the USARC CH HUB. The HUB can be found HERE (This site requires CAC and AR-Net access).

To contact the USARC Command Chaplains Office please email HERE.  

The USARC CMD Chaplain Facebook Page can be accessed HERE.

Military Chaplaincy Review – Professional Journal

1. Command Chaplain, Deputy Command Chaplain and Senior Religious Affairs SGM.
   1. Command Chaplain: CH (COL) Brian Seidel
   2. Deputy Command Chaplain: CH (COL) Cary Snelling
   3. Command Chaplain SGM: SGM Joe Burch
2. Army Reserve Command Battle Focused Training (ARC-BFT)
   1. CH (LTC) Matt Todaro
3. Building Strong and Ready Teams (BSRT)
   1. CH (LTC) Jeremy Naugle
4. Resource Management/Talent Management
   1. CH (LTC) David Keller
   2. MSG Emmanual Reyes
5. Institutional Training
   1. MSG Emmanual Reyes
6. Chaplain Detachments
   1. CH (LTC) Matt Todaro