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- The Rev. Daniel J. Sparks is the senior editor of ArmyChaplaincy.com. He serves as a chaplain with the 36th Engineer Brigade at White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. He previously served with the 2nd Infantry Division and 43rd Sustainment Brigade at Fort Carson, Colorado.
Fr. Sparks is a priest of the Reformed Episcopal Church and author of the book He Shall Direct Thy Paths: Reflections for America's Soldiers and Heroes.
Posts by Chaplain Daniel Sparks:
Homosexual conduct undermines security and military discipline
Our military faces the threat of compromised security, increased friction in personal and professional relationships, and poor discipline. This threat looms not from the figure of an enemy in a foreign nation, but its shadow is cast by some of our country’s own citizens. This threat comes from the possible legal authorization and permissiveness of [...]
Jolly Ranchers deployed
When my unit left for Iraq in October 2006, I brought along 100 pounds of Jolly Ranchers. They survived the trip with no problems. These Jolly Ranchers lasted throughout the deployment as I obtained hundreds of pounds of other candy to supplement my supply during the deployment.
Thanks and apology
Dear Readers,
Thanks for your visits to ArmyChaplaincy.com. Almost every month, we set a new record for visits. This website continues to reach hundreds of chaplains and potential chaplains every year. Over 100,000 unique visitors read articles on this site last year. And they aren’t just visiting–they are actually spending time viewing the articles.
This is a [...]
Confessions of a Candy Chaplain
I confess.
I’m a candy chaplain.
Jolly Ranchers are my signature, though I have been known to use other brands. Chocolate is a crowd favorite, but Jolly Ranchers are what they’ve come to expect.
I requested that my unit supply me with 100 pounds of Jolly Ranchers before we deployed. Army bureaucracy didn’t make it happen in time–so [...]
How do I contact an Army chaplain recruiter?
A frequent question from readers of this site is “How do I contact an Army chaplain recruiter?” A handful of chaplain recruiters cover large regions of several states. You may locate your nearest chaplain recruiter by visiting http://www.goarmy.com/chaplain/find_a_recruiter.jsp and typing in your ZIP code.
CAAF says chaplains should serve on courts martial
According to CAAFlog, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces (CAAF) has declared invalid military regulations that prohibit chaplains from serving on courts martial.
Traditionally, chaplains have been excluded from serving on courts martial because of conflict of interest concerns. Chaplains, as clergy, hear the confessions of Soldiers. It is unethical and illegal to disclose [...]
Questioning my faithfulness to God’s call
[I originally wrote this reflection in April 2007 while deployed to Baghdad, Iraq. I had ministered to the casualties of another unit earlier in the day.]
9 April 2007
It is times like these that cause me to examine my faithfulness to God’s call. Am I living up to the standard of godliness for the vocation of [...]
A chaplain and his mistress
An Army chaplain has confessed to adultery and threatening to murder his mistress, according to an Associated Press article.
FORT DRUM, N.Y. – A 10th Mountain Division chaplain was stripped of his rank and sentenced to five months in military prison after pleading guilty to adultery and threatening to kill his mistress when she wanted to [...]
