Pastors: You are Needed!
We LCMS pastors have a golden opportunity, and we are desperately needed. Pastors, please read this and prayerfully consider this opportunity!
If you’ve never heard of Civil Air Patrol, it is the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary. We are dispatched by the Air Force for domestic rescue operations, for post-disaster missions, and for training young people for leadership and service to our community, state, and nation. We’ve been around since December 1, 1941 - and here is a short video that speaks to our mission and history:
Auxiliary service is a different kind of military chaplaincy. We are civilians, but we hold grade and wear uniforms. We are not under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, but we are part of the Total Force. We are not under orders and deployed, but we serve as we are able as true volunteers. In some circumstances, we can volunteer for short term missions, billeting with the Air Force domestically, and to do military funerals as time and circumstance permit.
We chaplains save lives by providing spiritual care for young people, who in many cases, have no pastors or trusted spiritual counsel. We Lutheran pastors find it natural to give chaplaincy care, because of our tradition’s emphasis on Seelsorge (soul care). Our liturgical ethos is helpful to those situations in which we are called upon to pray. Chaplains are valued and in high demand in CAP.
Maybe you served in the military (as a chaplain or otherwise) and you miss the service. Maybe you would like the opportunity to wear the uniform and enjoy the camaraderie once again. Here is a way that you can reconnect without being under orders, with no risk of being sent overseas. Maybe you are like me, and come from a long line of service in your family, but did not yourself serve in the military. Now you can wear the uniform and be part of our country’s service as a chaplain.
Chaplains advise commanders at all levels, especially in ethical matters. We teach a monthly Character Development course for our cadets (who range in age from 12-20). The Character Development curriculum is provided by CAP, and it takes very little preparation. If we are able, we may serve at an encampment for cadets, typically held in the summer.
And even while serving as a chaplain, you can pursue additional career options, such radio operator, ground team, serving on an air crew (pilot, mission scanner, mission photographer), aerospace education, cadet programs, public affairs, medical, legal, etc. We have access to all kinds of professional training. Our young people have all kinds of opportunities to fly - including orientation flights, in which we get all of our cadets in the air as soon as possible, and let them take the controls of one of our Cessna planes. CAP has many opportunities and programs for young people to train to get their pilot’s licenses. We have summer activities for cadets to fly balloons and gliders, as well as single engine aircraft, train in cybersecurity, do an internship in an airplane manufacturing facility, marshalling planes at airshows, and even an international exchange program. Cadets can specialize in leadership and command, compete with drill teams, and enjoy a host of other activities - with a lot of scholarship money available.
As for chaplains and other adults (“Senior Members”), unlike regular or reserve service, you are not subject to the haircut and shaving requirements of the regular Air Force. You are exempt from weight and age restrictions. You can have a handicap, and you won’t be turned away. You can serve as much or as little as your schedule allows.
We need chaplains! You are so needed - especially by teenagers who are under increasing levels of stress in an increasingly secularized and nihilistic world! When you wear the cross on your uniform, you represent Christ - even without engaging in explicit proselytism. .
CAP squadrons are found all over the country - in big cities and in rural areas. As of last count, there are only seven of us in the LCMS who are serving as chaplains:
Ch (Capt) Larry Beane (Louisiana)
Ch (Capt) David Doellinger (Minnesota)
Ch (Capt) Ronald Martin (California)
Ch (Maj) Michael Peters (Wisconsin)
Ch (Capt) Guillaume Williams (Missouri)
Ch (Lt Col) Jeffrey Williams (Iowa)
Ch (Lt Col) Lang Yang (Michigan).
We have a shortage of chaplains. I’m the Louisiana Wing Chaplain, and in our state, I am one of only six chaplains (and the only Lutheran). You can find a local squadron in your area here. And here is our Chaplain Corps webpage.
The U.S. Coast Guard also has an Auxiliary with a chaplaincy. The LCMS has three Coast Guard Auxiliary chaplains.
CH James Daub (North Carolina)
Ch Richard Rudnick (Louisiana)
Ch William Schmidt (Florida).
Auxiliary chaplains must get endorsement from the Ministry to the Armed Forces (MAF), the same as all active duty and reserve chaplains. We are fully recognized by Synod as military chaplains, and we (and our wives) are invited to the annual MAF training (which is outstanding!), usually held on one of the coasts. MAF graciously provides all travel, food, and housing expenses for this training. MAF also provides support for all chaplains in the case that we are asked to do something that we cannot do - whether as a matter of conscience or from which we are restricted as LCMS pastors. To a person, everyone involved in the administration of the MAF is superlative and supportive. And in my seven years as a CAP chaplain, I have never even been asked to do anything contrary to my confession. And in fact, doing so would imperil our endorsement, which the Department of Defense requires in order for us to serve.
Pastors with MDiv degrees are appointed as chaplains with the initial grade of Captain. By working and taking classes, one can be promoted to Major and Lieutenant Colonel. The national Chief of Chaplains is awarded the grade of Colonel. There are several variations of the uniform, from formal mess dress to practical field uniforms. We carry out all military customs and courtesies. All senior members begin with the initial officer grade of Senior Member, and within about six months and the completion of basic coursework online, they typically progress to Second Lieutenant. Those who previously served as NCOs in any branch of the military have the option to hold the equivalent NCO Air Force grade in CAP. Those who served as officers in the military can hold the equivalent grade in CAP up to Lieutenant Colonel. Our National Commander holds the grade of Lieutenant General. Our state-level Wing Commanders hold the grade of Colonel.
CAP is also great for the entire family. Our cadets can begin as young as 12 years of age, working through the ranks from Cadet Airman to Cadet Colonel (which only one in 200 cadets achieves). Our cadets work hard, and are rewarded and recognized. They train for real world missions alongside the senior members, integrated into our teams - and are called out with the entire squadron on live missions. Once again, participation in missions is voluntary and according to one’s schedule. Cadets are expected to make weekly squadron meetings. They learn the principles of aviation, radio communications, ground team operations, land navigation, air navigation, model rocketry, leadership, and the classes that we chaplains teach to instill in them responsibility and ethics.
Mom and Dad can also serve with their children. It is a joy to see a shy young teenager become confident and competent in a short period of time, making great friends and learning the value of teamwork and service, wearing the uniform, and taking his or her commitment to the squadron and the mission seriously. I have met some truly remarkable people, both from among our Senior Members (adults) and Cadet Corps (youth) who have gone on to great things.
If anyone has any questions, feel free to contact me or one of our other Auxiliary chaplains, or our Ministry to the Armed Forces. If you have doubts that you are qualified to do this, you can put that out of your mind. Your training and service as an LCMS pastor give you all the tools that you need. You can do this! Your service will be recognized, appreciated, and rewarded. If you love your country, military service, aviation, working with young people, and the opportunity to be part of real-world chaplaincy service - please give this some prayerful consideration. You literally have nothing to lose!
It is so worth it to serve our neighbors, to save lives, and to assist in times of trouble. It is an honor to wear the uniform, to serve those who serve, and to volunteer as a non-combatant in the Total Force.
Email me if you want to ask me more about this.
Semper vigilans!