In 1977, Bart Physioc, then a newly commissioned Coast Guard officer, was on his way to his first duty station in Guam. He was looking forward to the challenges that lay ahead of him, but something did not seem quite right.
“When I was on my way to Guam, thinking of what I had left behind, the adventure that was coming ahead, I felt like something was missing and I couldn’t put my finger on it.” Physioc said.
A friend invited him to attend church and Physioc said he never stopped going after that.
Thirty-three years later, the journey of faith that started in the Pacific led Physioc to become the installation chaplain on Fort Jackson. Physioc, now an Army lieutenant colonel who is scheduled to be promoted to colonel within the next few months, left the Coast Guard after 3 1/2 years to heed his call to the ministry.
He became a protestant Army chaplain more than 20 years ago and has served in places as diverse as Fort Bragg, N.C., Walter Reed Army Medical Center and Heidelberg, Germany.
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Just before entering the Promised Land, Moses preached to the Israelites in Arabah. Among Moses’ many directives were instructional laws for warfare. He said, “And when you draw near to battle, the priest shall come forward and speak to the people and shall say to them, ‘Hear, O Israel, today you are drawing near for battle against your enemies: Let not your heart faint. Do not fear or panic or be in dread of them, for the LORD your God is he who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies, to give you victory” (Deut. 20:2-5, ESV). Priests spoke first, then the commanders. At Jericho, the priests blew the trumpets that led the people to shout and bring the wall down (Josh. 6). These are but two examples of how God used priests among the Israelite warriors. The chaplains of the modern American Army are not used in the same manner as the Israelite priests, but they still play a vital role to the force through offering worship services, counseling, visitation, and wartime readiness preparedness.
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The Defense Department’s review on the potential impact of repealing the ban on gays serving openly in the military will solicit input from troops of every service and rank — as well as their families — through surveys, focus groups and social media tools, the team heading up the review told Congress today.
Jeh C. Johnson, the Pentagon’s general counsel; Army Gen. Carter F. Ham, commander of U.S. Army Europe; and Clifford Stanley, undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, told the House Armed Services Committee today they seek to get the widest range of viewpoints from both within and outside the Defense Department as they conduct the review concerning potential repeal of the law commonly known as “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.”
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates ordered the 10-month review in February to solicit views about a repeal, as well as the potential impact if Congress directs it. He issued guidelines and parameters for the review yesterday, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that any change in the law is implemented in a way that minimizes disruptions in military operations.
Toward that end, the working group will focus its work on assessing any impact a repeal would have on readiness, recruiting, retention, family readiness and unit cohesion, Johnson said.
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Since returning home from Afghanistan as part of a small contracting team from the Alabama Army National Guard some three months ago, I have been asked upon occasion: “Whatever became of the shoes?”
For those unfamiliar with the story, “the shoes” refer to those collected in an unprecedented outpouring of charity by the Tennessee Valley this past summer and fall, coordinated and led by The Huntsville Times and Redstone Arsenal, all in response to an article I wrote regarding my chance encounter with three young camel herders and their plea for shoes.
On that particular hot day in Afghanistan, my fellow major and I were lucky enough to be able to purchase three pairs that fit the Afghan boys perfectly. The joy they demonstrated at receiving such an item gave us much to think about, then and since, on how each individual can make a positive difference in another’s life.
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Many people say the Gate River Run, a 15-kilometer foot race that spans the intimidating Isaiah David Hart Bridge in downtown Jacksonville, is a formidable run.
Lake Ray IV, an Army Airborne chaplain assistant, is planning to do it in combat gear. Yup, he’s weighting himself down.
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NASIR WA SALAM, Iraq – Junior Tupuola’s car roared down the California highway. The booze from that night’s party still pumped in his veins.
He had been drinking regularly for years, almost nonstop since he accidentally shot his friend in the neck during his freshman year at Washington State University.
The partying cost him a chance at a pro football career and sent him down a path of partying with Saudi royalty and working as hired muscle for a drug dealer. He wanted a way out of the lifestyle but didn’t know how to escape.
It was 1987. Tupuola had been partying hard for years. The highway out of San Marcos, Calif., didn’t offer much to see in those days.
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KUNAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The chaplains of Task Force Mountain Warrior are providing spiritual fitness to Soldiers by visiting every combat outpost and forward operating base in their area of operation in eastern Afghanistan at least once a month.
“Not all Soldiers have the privilege to be located on the main FOBs where they can receive daily spiritual care from a chaplain,” said Chaplain Assistant U.S. Army Sgt. Leander E. Outlaw, of Raleigh, N.C., assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, Task Force Lethal. “Especially here in Afghanistan.”
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More than 170 Soldiers, civilians and family members attended the Fort Benning observance of the National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 17 at the Benning Conference Center. The event coincided with Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, a 40-day period preceding Easter that many Christians observe as a time of prayer and abstinence.
The celebration was open to all faiths and included prayers by Muslim imam Dawud Salahuddin Bin Pearson and Jewish Chaplain (MAJ) Carlos Huerta, 30th Adjutant General Battalion (Reception).
“I think it (is) very unique that we can all come together to observe our different faiths,” said CPT Vladimir Sotosanchez, commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 11th Engineer Battalion, who attended the post observance for the first time. “This country was founded on freedom of religion. The first pilgrims who arrived – that was one of their main focuses. (We’re) paying homage to one of the founding principles of our country.”
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