The US Army Religious Affairs Specialist

The US Army Religious Affairs Specialist
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The US Army Religious Affairs Specialist
The tactical component of the Religious Affairs Specialist in the American army is essential, but it is not the single most important thing that many people consider to be necessary for the military to succeed in its mandate. Furthermore, some individuals have never set foot in a tactical environment. However, the tactical component of the religious affairs specialist allows soldiers who are deployed in the battlefield to have adequate resources needed to fight, and also in times of adversity when they face mental challenges or spiritual upsets. This paper highlights the challenges found within this component and the pros and cons associated with it. Moreover, the writer’s perspective on the name change from Chaplain Assistant to Religious Affairs Specialist is described in detail.
The United States Army is the chief land force that is well trained and equipped to carry out rapid and continued military operations on land. It swiftly deploys troop any time, in any location, against any enemy, and must operate for lengthy periods across different operations. The chaplain position was established to support the free exercise of religion among the soldiers. The Religious Affairs Specialist must, therefore, be able to operate within the environment where the army operates, and in settings that are fluid and uncertain. The religious specialist has a duty to sustain the troops during a military operation, in the combat field, during peacetime, and during the act of decisive action in support of civil authorities.

Furthermore, these persons also take part in synchronized invasive, and protective, and stability exercises CITATION Dep12 l 1033 (Department of the Army, 2012). The Religious Affairs Specialist is expected to apply innovative and flexible approaches to different missions and environments to offer assistance to the soldiers and their families.
It is important to note that the religious component of the US Army is grounded on a historic guide, legal and constitutional framework. The Religious Affairs Specialist is the commander’s agent and provides for the freedom of religion to every member of the army, authorized civilians, and their family members. Therefore, the spiritual specialist delivers religious care on behalf of the commanding officer. Moreover, in pursuit of their religious mandate, Religious Affairs Specialists are required to maintain the highest level of moral values, the standards of the Chaplain Corps as well as those of the army. Future military operations require religious specialists who are flexible and adaptable CITATION Dep12 l 1033 (Department of the Army, 2012). These elements are a prerequisite since soldiers operate in environments that are dynamic, intricate, tentative and difficult. Settings that are characterized by rapid changes and varying threats.
The tactical component of the Religious Affairs Specialist requires a person to deliver assistance through two methods; to provide and advice. Within these elements, the religious specialist operates based on three competencies; care for the wounded soldier, nurture the living and honor those who die. These capabilities provide the vital direction as the religious affairs specialists execute their mandate of ensuring free worship among the American soldiers.
Assisting soldiers spiritually can happen under different circumstances, as the requirement of unified land operations is currently demanding than before. However, the task has not changed. The Religious Affairs Specialist respond and adapt to the challenges of having to work in complex settings, where they must prepare a plan, integrate and execute religious functions in all stages of a battle. As a part of a unit’s readiness for war, the religious specialists continue to sustain programs that facilitate religious growth and development and encourage ethical decision making among the American soldiers.
Religious support is executed at different command levels in the army and in all operations; meaning that the tactical component of the Religious Affairs Specialist applies in all aspects of the army’s work. During military combat, religious support is provided at the battalion level, where the religious Affairs Specialist offers support to people within the military command. At higher echelons, the religious specialist can supervise the execution of spiritual nourishment across the command to make sure that religious support goals are met in different military operations CITATION Dep12 l 1033 (Department of the Army, 2012). This is fundamental if the execution of comprehensive religious support is to be realized throughout operation areas.
The tactical component of the Religious Affairs Specialist has several pros and cons. The pros to the component are that the Religious Affairs Specialist and the Unit Ministry Teams are able to witness the raw effects of combat and, therefore, can understand the soldier’s viewpoint because they serve next to the troops on the battlefield. It also gives the Religious Affairs Specialists authority when speaking about American military operations. The tactical component towards religious support is an excellent way of developing religious affairs among Non-commissioned officers (NCOs), and it guides them in how they lead troops and maintain calm in stressful operational tempos. Effective Religious Affairs Specialists also learn about different aspects of the army; for instance, they learn how to use the communication equipment and war tactics. As a result, they can be called upon to offer military assistance in cases where personnel numbers are low, or in cases of emergency. This is an attribute that distinguishes the best specialists among the rest, who are serving in the army. Therefore, Religious Affairs Specialists must be able to learn and continue their development in all aspects of their military lives.
The main disadvantage to the tactical component is that the Army’s Religious Corps has put more emphasis on protecting the Chaplaincy, when more often than not it is the Unit Ministry Team that deploys and conducts military movements with the Protective Service Detachments (PSDs), who escort high profile military personnel CITATION Dep12 l 1033 (Department of the Army, 2012).
In my view, changing the name from Chaplain Assistant to Religious Affairs Specialist was an excellent idea because people had grown tired of the different names that were being used to describe them. Some of the names used were vulgar hence the need to change the name. It is still challenging to correct people who use the old operational terms to describe the Religious Affairs Specialists. Furthermore, the name change highlights the dynamic role of the religious leaders in the military. Many people did not understand that these individuals play a crucial role on the battlefield, and are sometimes called upon to offer reinforcements during battle. I know that it might take time before people adjust to the new description of religious leaders in the army, however, these are some of the hurdles that are to be crossed before the Religious Affairs Specialists establish their credibility.
Religion is becoming sophisticated as issues, people and events change. These elements cumulatively increase the religious and psychological demands on the army personnel, their families, and the civilian population. However, the Religious Affairs Specialist has a duty to use all available resources to encourage soldiers to take part in all related religious undertakings. The specialists must, therefore, consider time, transport, technology and all the resources within their reach when preparing to execute their religious functions. However, personal delivery of religious teachings is paramount, and though technology can be used to substitute some of these functions, the presence of a Religious Affairs Specialist among people is important to protect and defend the free practice of religion.
Reference
BIBLIOGRAPHY Department of the Army. (2012). Religious Support for the Army. FM 1-05 Religious Support, 1-40.