Officers with the Chaplain Candidate Intensive Internship Program line up to enter the Explosive Ordinance Disposal building July 20, 2011 at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. Members of the program were there to see a presentation by EOD Airmen. The presentation was followed by a discussion in which EOD members were able to express how chaplains can best support them. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ted Daigle)
Maj. Pierre Allegre, a Chaplain Candidate Intensive Internship Program mentor, and Staff Sgt. Denise Johnson, a chaplain assistant with the program, arrive at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. July 20, 2011. The program is designed for incoming U.S. Air Force Reserve chaplains to get an overview of the different ministries that exist in the military. Chaplain candidates visited Barksdale AFB to see how to best minister to base members assigned to a base with global strike capabilities. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ted Daigle)
Maj. Kenneth Brown, the 307th Bomb Wing chaplain, greets a member of the Chaplain Candidate Intensive Internship Program at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. July 20, 2011. The program is designed for incoming U.S. Air Force Reserve chaplains to get an overview of the different ministries available in the military. Candidates visit five different military bases during this phase of training and come in contact with all branches of the military. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ted Daigle)
Airman 1st Class Alex Gaunt, an Explosive Ordinance Disposal apprentice with the 2nd Bomb Wing, outfits 2nd Lt. Joshua Layfield, chaplain candidate, at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. July 20, 2011. Layfield is part of the Chaplain Candidate Intensive Internship Program which gives incoming chaplains an overview of different ministries within the military. The protective suit is one of the resources available to keep EOD members safe during field operations. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ted Daigle)
Two members of the Chaplain Candidate Intensive Internship Program try their hand at using a fire hose at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. July 20. The program is designed for incoming U.S. Air Force Reserve chaplains to get an overview of the different ministries that exist in the military. The candidates visited the 2nd Bomb Wing Fire Station to learn more about the work of Air Force firefighters and their specific ministerial needs. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ted Daigle)
Airman 1st Class Logan Hoffman, a firefighter with the 2nd Bomb Wing, gives guidance to a member of the Chaplain Candidate Intensive Internship Program operating a water hose at Barksdale Air Force Base, La. July 20, 2011. Members of the program visit various Air Force bases to learn the jobs and better understand the ministerial needs of Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Ted Daigle)
by Staff Sgt. Ted Daigle
307th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
7/27/2011 - BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. -- Military life can be demanding. Airmen often find themselves seeking help to keep up not only with physical and mental challenges, but spiritual ones, as well. Learning to address those spiritual needs brought 32 members of the Chaplain Candidate Intensive Internship Program here from July 20-25.
The candidates visited several different units here and learned how they, as chaplains, can better serve the various spiritual and religious needs of Airmen.
The program is designed for chaplain candidates to get a broad overview of military life by visiting five different military installations and meeting with service members from all branches of the armed forces, said Lt. Col. Steven Nicolai, chaplain candidate program manager at Headquarters U.S. Air Force Reserve Command.
"The candidates see all the chaplain ministries and how these ministries are often shaped by the mission of the base," he said. "The mission they will see at a Global Strike Command base is different from the mission they will see at a basic military training base, so the ministries are different, as well."
At the end of each day, the candidates meet to reflect and pray on what they have learned, said Maj. Pierre Allegre, a chaplain candidate mentor. "This reflection allows the candidates to determine which specific ministry they feel called to."
Candidates in the program gain invaluable insight into all the different ministries, but they also get a perspective on life as an Air Force chaplain, said 2nd Lt. Benjamin Quintanilla, chaplain candidate.
"It has been great," he said. "It has been helpful to see what is right for us and for our families."
