ARLINGTON, Va. – It sounds like the start of a joke.

Four female ministers – an Episcopalian, a Unitarian Universalist, a Southern Baptist and an African Methodist Episcopal – all join the military ….

But there’s no punch line here, just four strong-willed pioneers working in a career field with few others of the female persuasion.

During women’s history month this year, these new chaplains at the National Guard Bureau are using their varied religious backgrounds to cater to the needs of Guard members.

READ MORE from DVIDS

RINCON, Ga. (BP)—The North American Mission Board conducted the largest commissioning service in its history when 144 missionaries and chaplains were sent forth Feb. 22 at First Baptist Church in Rincon, Ga., about 20 miles north of Savannah.

The 136 missionaries and eight chaplains filed into the sanctuary to the tune of “Victory in Jesus” amid bright-colored flags representing the places they will serve. Most were husband-and-wife teams from 29 Southern Baptist state Conventions, the Canadian National Baptist Convention and the Convention of Southern Baptist Churches in Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands.

With nine being commissioned, the Kentucky Baptist Convention led the way in the number of new Kentucky-based chaplains and missionaries. The Georgia Baptist Convention was second with eight, followed by the Alabama Baptist State Convention with six and the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia with five.

READ MORE from the Florida Baptist Witness

This summer, an effort is underway to sign and send 100,000 Bibles to American troops in 100 days. Tens of thousands of people are expected to go to a local Christian bookstore, purchase a $4.99 camo-covered special edition Bible, write a personal message inside the front cover of the Bible, and give it back to the retailer to be shipped to an American soldier serving somewhere around the world. While there have been other efforts to provide Bibles to soldiers, never before have Bibles been sent with personal messages inscribed by individual Americans, expressing their prayers and gratitude.

READ MORE from Shooting Straight

It was a sight to behold. As word spread, several hundred locals made their way to the depot at Longview Junction.

The date was July 16, 1916. The 69th Regiment of New York State was in town along with its famous chaplain, Father Francis P. Duffy.

For weeks, a steady stream of troops had been coming through Longview on their way to the Mexican border. President Woodrow Wilson ordered Gen. John J. “Black Jack” Pershing and thousands of soldiers to South Texas to pursue Mexican bandit “Pancho” Villa, who had raided Columbus, N.M., in March 1916.

The 69th Regiment got its orders July 10 to head south. Leaving Camp Whitman, N.Y., the troops eagerly boarded a 40-coach train for their weeklong trip. “The regiment will be the best-equipped on the border,” reported the New York Times.

READ MORE from the Longview News-Journal

STUTTGART, Germany — Army Sgt. Peter Quinones has done a lot of studying on his own while trying to maintain his faith during his time overseas.

But last month, the Stuttgart-based soldier was able to attend his first Muslim service since being stationed in Europe, receiving instruction on the Quran from a new lay leader.

“I’ve never had this opportunity. I think something like this is pretty vital. It gets me a chance to come and learn more about my religion,” said Quinones following a service at the Panzer Kaserne Chapel.

Friday afternoon Muslim services started in February at the U.S. Army Garrison in Stuttgart. They represent one of the many new religious programs that have been added in the past 12 months on post. From daytime Bible study courses for spouses to Sunday services at Stuttgart’s more remote Robinson Barracks and financial management classes for young couples, programs doubled during 2008 as leaders looked for new ways to reach community members.

READ MORE from Stars and Stripes

BAGHDAD – Deployment is never easy, especially a fifteen-month deployment where Soldiers face the possibility of missing the same holiday twice away from their loved ones.

This undisputed fact has been the reality for Soldiers from the 2nd “Iron” Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, Multi-National Division-Baghdad, since they arrived in Iraq in April 2008; the brigade’s third deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom since 2003.

Now, almost 11 months into their deployment, Iron Brigade Soldiers continue their work in Iraq despite the hardships of being away from family, friends, loved ones, and the comforts of home for the duration of their mission.

“Deployment to a combat zone, working seven days a week for fifteen months can be a [tiring] assignment [for] anyone no matter what their job is,” said Spc. Mathew Fischer, a Soldier from the 47th Forward Support Battalion based on Camp Striker, near Baghdad.

READ MORE from DVIDS

Despite the many successes printed and televised about the Army during its proud history, officials are all too aware of the dark cloud hovering above them.

For the fourth consecutive year, suicides are on the rise. In 2008, the Army experienced 128 confirmed suicides – up from 117 the year before. At such an alarming rate, Gen. Peter Chiarelli, vice-chief of staff, issued an executive order calling for greater emphasis on recognizing suicidal behavior among soldiers.

Chaplain (Col.) Gerald Stone, who works at Fort Belvoir’s Family Life Center, has served as a long-time counselor on suicide awareness and spoke at last week’s suicide prevention stand down at the installation’s Wood Theater.

As one of its duties, Stone said the Chaplain’s Office is involved in educating Soldiers on the various warning signs associated with suicide. These include changes in one’s behavior, eating habits and personality.

According to him, while the Army has long been aware of the stresses involved with being a service member, senior leaders can expect a more hands-on role when approaching someone in their unit who may be contemplating suicide.

READ MORE from InsideNoVA.com