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Chaplain candidates experience Charleston's warmth, hospitality

  • Published
  • By Michael Dukes
  • 315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. --  Twenty two second lieutenants sat comfortably in the spacious C-17 Globemaster as the jet's wheels touch the ground at Joint Base Charleston, Aug. 8, 2012.

The young officers, the latest group of Air Force chaplain candidates, were about to start the last leg of their summer tour of Air Force bases including Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Barksdale Air Force Bases, La., Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth Carswell Field, Texas and Joint Base Charleston, S.C.

315th Airlift Wing Chaplain (Lt. Col.) John Painter and Chaplain (Maj.) Nealy Brown welcomed the group as they stepped off the jet onto the hot and humid flight line on a hot afternoon.

The morning after they arrived in Charleston, they were formally welcomed to Charleston by Joint Base Charleston leadership.

Col. William Stephens, 315th Mission Support Group commander, welcomed the chaplain candidates after showing them the 315th Airlift Wing mission video. "As you see these videos and see the troops jumping out of planes, you might think that is what it's all about. But you are what it's all about," he said of the group and their chaplain mission as ambassadors of god.

After the colonel discussed why he felt chaplains are charged with one of the most important missions in the military he presented each of them with a Team Charleston coin as a mall token of appreciation.

As Painter welcomed the group once again he told them a little about the local Charleston area. He explained the significance of the pineapple's the chaplains candidates would see throughout Charleston--such as Charleston's famous pineapple fountain. "The Pineapple is an international symbol of hospitality and welcome. And you'll find this ideal in most everyone you meet here in the Lowcountry."

While explaining the feedback forms he handed out to the candidates, Chaplain Painter said, "Last time somebody put down that it was too hot. There really isn't anything I can do about that. As chaplains we are in sales, not operations. Our job is to bring people to deliver God's message and we are not usually in control of the conditions." As he smiled, everyone in the room chuckled at his comment. Painter also described the great relationship that the 315th Airlift Wing enjoys with the active duty 628th Airbase Wing Chaplain Service.

While at JB Charleston, one of the favorite attractions for many of the candidates was the static C-17 Globemaster III manned by a 701st Airlift Squadron aircrew. Once onboard the lieutenants' eyes were like those of children visiting an amusement park--especially while on the flight deck where Lt. Col. Mike Phillips, 701AS pilot, let them sit in the copilot seat as he gave a basic overview of the flight controls and displays.

One chaplain candidate asked the colonel about how landings were different in a combat zone compared to back in the U.S.  Phillips explained it simply by saying "In a combat area where the bad guys might want to try to shoot at you, we make ourselves difficult targets by waiting until we are almost right over our landing area at a safe altitude before dropping steeply and using a lot of flaps, breaks and reverse thrust to land and stop safely on the ground. It happens so quickly that we are on the ground before the enemy even knows we were coming."

315th Airlift Wing Protocol Officer, Joann Gillespie next took the candidates to the 437th Operations Support Squadron Aircrew Flight Equipment (life support) where life support specialists gave a hands-on demonstration of some of the most important equipment issued to aircrews.

In a darkroom the candidates were given the opportunity to don aircrew night vision devices. When the lights were turned off, the young lieutenants instantly felt like they were in another world. A world where everything was an eerily shaded green.

In the main lobby they learned about flotation devices, oxygen equipment, safety harnesses, flack vests, helmets and parachutes.

At the parachute demonstration table, the life support specialist asked chaplains to strap on a parachute pack. He then instructed them to pull the rip cord hard. As they pulled the ripcord, the life support specialist unraveled the parachute from the pack as the chaplain candidate walked forward, the entire parachute was revealed.

"It truly is a pleasure to host the chaplain candidates' visits" said Gillespie. "All of Team Charleston came together to provide the best experience possible for these young men and women. I want to thank everyone who helped to make this an unforgettable visit."

Later in the day, the lieutenants learned about Airmen and Family Readiness programs, the Air Force Reserve Yellow Ribbon program and other services available to Airmen in times of need.

On their third day the group stopped by the Charleston VA Medical Center where they made bedside visits to hospitalized veterans there. They also visited the Citadel to learn about the school's Chaplain program.

Despite their very busy schedule, the chaplain candidates were excited to take a tour of Charleston's historic churches. On Saturday the group enjoyed playing tourist as they explored Charleston's many attractions. Sunday, they attended services at the base chapel.

The Air Force Chaplain Candidate Program provides an opportunity for seminary and other professional religious school students to evaluate their compatibility and potential for commissioning as an Air Force Chaplain. The focus is on experiencing ministry in the Air Force during summer tours of active duty. Chaplain candidates draw upon their background, education and experience to function as part of an Air Force chapel team. Upon entering the program candidates are commissioned as chaplain candidates, (2nd Lt). Once they graduate and are endorsed by their religious body, they will be eligible for reappointment as a Chaplain, (1st Lt. ), in the Air Force Reserve.