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Chaplains vector people, programs, professionals

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Elizabeth Van Patten
  • Air Force Reserve Command Public Affairs
ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  The Air Force Reserve Command chaplain convened the annual chaplain vectoring board here Feb. 6.

While the AFRC manages the accessions training program, Col. Gary Califf, AFRC command chaplain, calls on active duty and Air National Guard chaplains to help vector chaplain candidates for further training and development before they graduate from seminary.

"This board will take a look at past training records, how their mentors have evaluated them," said Califf. "We then rack and stack them much as a developmental team would in each career field. Top scorers will go to units where they will have the most intense types of opportunities, while other will go to places where they will receive strong mentoring."

The chaplain candidates go through this step-program, not only for evaluation purposes, but also so they can discern their gifts and how they fit into the military culture.

"Chaplains are to be people who advise commanders on ethical and moral issues, Airman quality of life issues," said Califf. "Chaplains have to people who are not only Air Force officers functioning off of the core values, but need to be a cut above the rest in order to be trusted with confidential personal information."

The chaplain corps exists to promote and guarantee every American military member's first amendment right to free exercise of religion. From the founding days our nation, one of the very first decisions that was made was to create a chaplain.

For first-time vectoring board member, Col. William Yates, Air National Guard chaplain, it is a great opportunity for collaboration between the Air Force components.

"We all have religious ministries that we engage in," said Yates. "We also have chaplain support services, which are promoting Airman resiliency, counseling, collaborating with our mental health organizations, safety offices, medical staff and commanders. We all work together as a team to enable our Airmen to receive the support and care they need to maintain health and well-being. It's about people. It's about programs. It's about professionalism."