Panel to present military opportunities
A long-term opportunity filled with passion, pay and retirement can be available to USU students.
The Utah Army and Air Guard Recruiting Initiative will be coming to USU Wednesday, March 25 at 6 p.m. in the ROTC building. Col. Lynn Humphreys, state chaplain for Joint Force Headquarters, said the initiative is to let students know about chaplains and what it takes to become one.
Rand Curtis teaches the gospel in military service class at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Institute on campus and became involved in the initiative. He said many individuals on campus may not be aware of the purpose of chaplain. Curtis said a chaplain’s responsibility is the spiritual well-being of the troops and members. He said simply, they are the commander’s guidance counselors.
Humphreys said the initiative will include a panel of four chaplains who represent each step and stage in the process of becoming a matriculated chaplain. He said one individual will talk about the educational process, and another will talk about the education benefits and incentives. Humphreys also said one chaplain, who recently returned from Iraq, will share a few of his experiences serving. Also, an International Guard chaplain will be present who Humphreys said will represent the Air Force side of the Utah Army National Guard.
Humphreys said these individuals will not only provide a short presentation about the experiences and benefits of being a chaplain but they will also be available to answer questions. He said during the information the chaplains will discuss pay and incentives. Humphreys said the upcoming presentation is for all faiths, and is not just for Latter-day Saints.
“The opportunities are endless,” Humphreys said. “If I were a young man, I would start over tonight. I would find a class on this campus and start it. That is how good this is.”
There are many benefits for becoming a National Guard chaplain. Curtis said some of these incentives include help with education, receiving scholarships, student loan repayment programs and employment. Humphreys said a National Guard chaplain not only has the opportunity to be hired by the Utah National Guard or Air Guard, but also is able to keep his or her civilian job. He said they also receive a benefit many individuals don’t know about – free marriage counseling.
Humphreys said these marriage retreats are provided for the soldiers and their spouses. He said they take the couple to attend a three day, two night seminar on strengthening their marriage.
“It would cost them $500,” he said. “It is just our way of saying, ‘Thanks.'”
Humphreys said many of his chaplains have also been instrumental in helping Iraqi children with heart defects, and bringing them to America for their surgeries.
“These kids are absolutely beautiful and if they stayed in Iraq they would die,” Humphreys said.
One of the chaplains set up a foundation with a physician in Maine which Humphreys said has made this service much easier.
“We now have a system where children are put into this and we don’t have to re-invent the wheel every time,” he said. “They can get to America now with much less hassle.”
However, even though the opportunities are endless, Humphreys said the most important thing for students to know is they are currently hiring.
Humphreys said the educational process to becoming a chaplain is long and hard. He said it includes 72 hours of graduate-level work, 36 hours in educational psychology and 36 hours in upper-division religion courses.
“Our people get into it, and move right along,” Humphreys said. “They mentor each other, talk and it isn’t long until they are there.”
Humphreys said he encourages all to attend the panel.
“We have all the answers as to where to get this training, where to get the education, how it works, how to join up and what you will be doing in the meantime until the process is unfolding. This panel of chaplains will be able to help with that,” Humphreys said.
For more information or questions regarding the recruiting initiative, e-mails can be sent to lynn.humphreys@us.army.mil.
–courtnie.packer@aggiemail.usu.edu