Joint Family Ministry In the National Guard. CH (LTC) Ron Martin-Minnich Joint National Guard Chaplain Service Office 25 April 2009

Transcription

1 Joint Family Ministry In the National Guard CH (LTC) Ron Martin-Minnich Joint National Guard Chaplain Service Office 25 April 2009

2 Update Agenda Purpose Vision Services Provided by The Family Ministry Division Networking to Synchronize and Expand

3 Purpose The Family Ministry Division provides Deployment Cycle Support, resources and training to Unit Ministry Teams, Soldiers, Airmen and their Families throughout the geographically dispersed States and Territories of the National Guard.

4 Purpose The initiatives within Family Ministry are directly connected to Army and Air Force Goals of their respective Chief of Chaplains Improve the Spiritual Readiness of the Family Provide Resiliency training to the force Fully resource the Strong Bonds program Network with Military and Community resources

5 Vision Pastoral Care that understands the readiness requirements of our Families, that provides the Religious Support and resources for deployment, and therefore supplies the spiritual strength which creates resilient Soldiers, Airmen and Families.

6 Commanders (1) Support the free exercise of religion for The Army. (2) Provide equitable support for religious, spiritual, moral, and ethical activities of all personnel in their commands. (3) Provide opportunity, time and facilities for the free exercise of religion to the extent that such exercise is compatible with essential mission considerations and is otherwise in accordance with law and regulations. (4) Accommodate special religious requirements of personnel in their commands, consistent with Department of Defense Directive (DODD) and AR (5) Avoid scheduling compulsory athletic, recreational, training, and official functions that conflict with regularly scheduled religious services. (6) Commanders of organizations without chaplains will coordinate with the higher headquarters for religious support. (7) Commanders will ensure that command directives provide for timely notification of the chaplain in the event of serious illness, injury, or death of military personnel or their family members. In overseas locations, commanders may permit chaplains to serve non DOD/US Government-connected civilian personnel. (8) Provide general religious support for units without an assigned chaplain (see chapter 4). (9) Approve and resource the Command Master Religious Plan (CMRP). (10) Provide UMTs with the resources required to perform the religious support mission to include personnel, training, facilities, transportation, equipment, supplies, and financial resources (see chapters 12 and 13). (11) Approve use of facilities by religious groups. (12) Provide appropriated fund resources to support the religious and spiritual needs of members of their commands IAW the approved CMRP. (13) Provide opportunity, resources, and funding for required chaplain and chaplain assistant training. (14) Support Chaplain-led programs that build and maintain a strong family structure. (10 USC, 582, Section 1789) (See Chapter 3-4).

7 Chaplain 101 How does the role of chaplain differ from the role of a local pastor, priest or rabbi? The military chaplain serves in an institution whose primary purpose is to wage war.

8 Chaplain 101 The Chaplain s ministry is unique in that it takes place in an interfaith setting They nurture the total religious community, encourage moral responsibility, and provide a climate for growth and maturation regardless of creed

9 Services Provided by the Family Ministry Division Strong Bonds Couples, Singles and Family Wellness (ANG & ARNG) Battlemind Training (ARNG) Reintegration (ANG & ARNG) ACE Suicide Awareness and Intervention PTSD/mTBI Resiliency (ANG & ARNG) TEM (Psychological Debriefing,CISM, etc.) (ANG & ARNG)

10 Required Resources for Services Strong Bonds Program Finances TY09 Supplemental Funding and Bridging Strategy TY10 - ARNG funded in POM ANG funded by supplemental dollars

11 Networking To Synchronize and Expand Ministry Expansion of Strong Bonds Programs The ample resources for Strong Bonds in 2008 enabled the NG to expand funding to Strong Bonds Singles and Family Wellness events. P.I.C.K. (Premarital Interpersonal Choices and Knowledge) is just one of the approved materials.

12 Networking to Synchronize & Expand Ministry The National Guard Family Program Military Family Life Consultants Joint Yellow Ribbon Readiness and Reintegration Program (YRRP) Joint Family Support Assistance Program (JFSAP) Red Cross Psychological First Aid course

13 Networking to Synchronize & Expand Ministry Main website for all branches and components for support/information Main Veteran s Administration website New site for Returning Veterans

14 Networking to Synchronize & Expand Ministry Joint Family Assistance Committee (JFAC) Local State initiatives, i.e. Maryland National Guard Partners In Care (PIC)

15 Mission Dedicated to Families Build Readiness by Strengthening Marriages and Relationships Ready Warrior Solid Relationship

16 Questions?

17 Chaplain-Led Programs SECTION 582. PERMANENT AUTHORITY FOR SUPPORT FOR CERTAIN CHAPLAIN-LED MILITARY FAMILY SUPPORT PROGRAMS. (a) IN GENERAL- (1) Chapter 88 of title 10, United States Code, is amended by inserting at the end of subchapter I the following new section: Chaplain-led programs: authorized support (a) AUTHORITY. The Secretary of a military department may provide support services described in subsection (b) to support chaplain-led programs to assist members of the armed forces on active duty and their immediate family members, and members of reserve components in an active status and their immediate family members, in building and maintaining a strong family structure. (b) AUTHORIZED SUPPORT SERVICES. The support services referred to in subsection (a) are costs of transportation, food, lodging, child care, supplies, fees, and training materials for members of the armed forces and their family members while participating in programs referred to in that subsection, including participation at retreats and conferences. (c) IMMEDIATE FAMILY MEMBERS. In this section, the term `immediate family members', with respect to a member of the armed forces, means-- (1) the member's spouse; and (2) any child (as defined in section 1072(6) of this title) of the member who is described in subparagraph (D) of section 1072(2) of this title.. (2) The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1788 the following new item: Chaplain-led programs: authorized support.. (b) EFFECTIVE DATE. Section 1789 of title 10, United States Code, as added by subsection (a), shall take effect on October 1,

18 Strong Bonds - Couples Standards: 1) Twelve Hours of Programmed Training a) All organized activities = Training Time b) Minimum: 6 Hrs PREP 2) One Overnight Excursion a) Funds can support training (e.g. transportation, lodging, food, curriculum child care, incidentals) 3) Chaplain Staff = Primary Trainers 4) Completion of AARs and Surveys 18

19 Strong Bonds for Singles Standards: 1) Ten Hours of Programmed Training a) Minimum: 5 Hrs P.I.C.K. (from workbook) b) All organized activities = Training Time 2) One Excursion (May be Overnight) a) Funds can support training (e.g. transportation, lodging, food, curriculum child care, incidentals) b) Funds can not be used to fund entertainment (e.g. Fishing Boat, Ski Lift Tickets) 3) Completion of AARs and Surveys 19

20 Strong Family Bonds Standards: 1) Ten Hours of Programmed Training a) Minimum: 6 Hrs Family Wellness b) All organized activities = Training Time 2) One Overnight Excursion a) Funds can support training (e.g. transportation, lodging, food, curriculum child care, incidentals) 3) Completion of AARs Surveys 20

21 Role of the Chaplain First, the chaplain operates in a pluralistic setting. Chaplains serve many people who are not of their denomination or faith group. Some of those served may be agnostic, indifferent or even antagonistic to religious faith. Second, the ministry is unique in that it takes place in an ecumenical setting. Involved clergypersons tend to share a common core of professional responsibility. They nurture the total religious community, encourage moral responsibility, and provide a climate for growth and maturation regardless of creed. A third aspect is ministry to the institution. Many chaplains know that they not only serve people as individuals or groups, but that they have an equally important task. They must be aware of the way institutions make decisions or formulate policies to insure that structures do not dehumanize people within their institution. Fourth, chaplains are concerned about the general welfare of all the people whom they serve. They are humanitarians in the best sense of that word. They meet people in the crises of their lives. Fifth, chaplains operate in a mobile environment. In most cases the people whom they serve are transient. Ministry is not to a stable community, but to a passing parade. Sixth, chaplains at times may conduct programs that are not religious in focus but which may be characterized by human growth or character building. Sometimes these programs do not prepare persons for church membership but prepare people to lead more ethical and moral lives.