Easing pain at home, war is final target

A soldier surrounded by the sounds of explosions looks across the dark sky as luminous sparks of gunshots light up the night. It has been another long day for troops in a foreign land where war rages, thousands of miles from home.

But a less-known battle is being fought on these desolate grounds—in the minds of soldiers who witness the destruction and bloodshed of war. Many will spend several months away from family, with deployment lasting up to 15 months.

College of Christian Studies Assistant Professor Dr. David Howard, who teaches in the master’s program that trains chaplains to cousel soldiers, said of his students, “They are not just pastors off the street. They were trained to be a part of the military organization and so they can work with the organization and know its culture and how it operates and be an advocate for the soldier and family, as well as perform religious duties.”

Chaplains like Maj. David Mansberger are receiving their master’s degree in marriage and family counseling to better equip themselves as chaplains.

 Selected by the Pentagon, nine participants will receive their degrees in August after completing the rigorous, fast-paced schedule of classes. A few of the graduate studies classes include Theories of Counseling, Gender and Human Sexuality, Working with Children and Lifespan Development.

Because the chaplains are required to graduate within sixteen months, they must take more than a full load for graduate studies. This requires them to take minimesters and summer classes in addition to their more-than-full-time load during the regular academic year.

Along with night classes on campus, the chaplains counsel four days a week at Fort Hood.

Masberger said, “We support each other and encourage one another in completing assignments and studying for exams.”

While maintaining sanity with such a hectic schedule can be tough at times, Mansberger said “exposure to various schools of thought, techniques and models will enhance (the) ability to bring healing to the wounded in body, mind and spirit.”

In today’s world, chaplains must be equipped with the best tools available to aid America’s warriors.

Professor of psychology Dr. Raylene Statz said, “Today's soldiers are spending longer periods of time deployed and less time stateside with their families and loved ones before being deployed again.  They often come home with a variety of problems from post traumatic stress disorder to major depression to suicidal ideation.”

Whether serving abroad side-by-side in harm’s way or counseling soldiers as they face issues reintegrating into society, chaplains are being equipped through the marriage and family counseling program.

Upon graduation from the program, Mansberger will await orders from the Air Force to find out his next place of service. 

Mansberger said, “The better equipped we are to counsel, do therapy and minister, then the better support the military member will receive from their chaplain.”