December 2003, our unit was packing to go home. We faced war without any casualties. The only minor blunder, I recalled, is that we did not have constant heat for the cold winter months. The heater, nearly the size of a bus, hardly worked. Maintenance never fixed the machine, which

We quickly established a Tactical Operations Center (TOC) at the Bagdad Airport. Everyone helped to stake tents. Our Puerto Rican company camped over a small hidden hill, hiding fresh chicken and vegetables. Their families coordinated well to ensure Iraq was a livable place for their loved ones. They always reminded

The Iraqi Desert is expansive, with a sparse western and southern desert population. The desert swallows nearly two-fifths of the country with low humidly, arid conditions and hot temperatures during the summer months. The desert comprises various plant life such as vegetation for erosion control and to block wind. The

Tallil, near Nashiriya on the lower Euphrates, was the most promising place I visited in Iraq when our unit stopped there for the night before traveling to Bagdad. Tillil’s (Ur’s) famous 4,100-year-old Ziggurat overpowered the area. The blessings of Abraham associated with this land permeated a sense of being on

When we passed over the Berm into a foreign world crushed by war, I could see a land turned into rubbish. The desert, scattered with debris from the horrors of war, was breathtaking. The T-72 tanks destroyed South of Bagdad belonged to the Republican Guard, who defended Bagdad as a

When I visited the Tasferat detainee jail in Bagdad, I had a room with the troops on the 4th floor of the Ministry of Interior building. The building was one of the tallest in Bagdad. We would climb onto the rooftop and watch the explosion of war as far as

I remember being in the canteen having breakfast with friends at Perry Point Veterans Administration Medical Center September 11, 2001. The Medical Center was an old hospital with tunnels leading to various wards. The beautiful Chesapeake Bay surrounded the hospital. Friends and I meet regularly for social visits and experience

All were surprised to fly to war in a sweet Boeing 777. The Aircraft was large enough for everyone to stretch out. The officers occupied first-class seats able to fold into a bed. The patriotic servers were very gracious and kind. They made everyone content. We took many photos with

The Army mission provides trained and ready units for combat. They trained regularly under strict guidance to know their role in the unit. Each soldier receives a specialized Military Occupation Specialty (MOS). A soldier is assigned to a branch to train in their MOS requirements. The Army has extensive jobs

What prepared for war was Clinical pastoral education (CPE). CPE combines didactic education with real-world, hands-on experience for ministers to nurture the living, care for the dying, and honor the dead. The ministry provided spiritual care to patients, families, and staff members in a multi-disciplinary clinical environment. CPE trains clergy

Becoming a chaplain in the Army was most difficult. In 1981, I received a DUI and a dismissed case on my record in 1979. The chaplain leadership hesitated and wondered how I rapidly changed into a mature man within ten years. In 1990, a Chaplain recruiter visited Harding Graduate of

Abu Ghraib prison was a maximum-security facility during the 1950s. Saddam Hussein used the prison for political prisoners since the 1970s. It was an evil place with tears, screams, and torture. Tribes cried out loudly over their loved ones there. Mass graveyards in Khan Dhari, West of Bagdad, contained remains

The enemy studies every move we make to attack a weak target. They were loins looking for a wounded animal to devour. They hid in unseen places and often had civilians between themselves and their military targets. The enemy knew our rules of engagement were to protect civilians at all

As chaplains, we continuously monitored the soldiers’ morale and advised the commander on the soldiers’ readiness and confidence on the battlefield. Morale is critical for resiliency in moving forward with a well-defined mission. We aimed to build a team culture with each soldier trained in their Military Occupation Specialty. They

In Washington D.C., the Vietnam Wall has over fifty thousand names of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. There are three bronze soldiers positioned seeking the names of the fallen warriors. Those who visit the site remember their fellow family and warriors. Some often have flashbacks

In 2003, The International Committee of The Red Cross (ICRC) claims to be natural and impartial in handling detainee facilities. They provide humanitarian assistance and preserve the rights of the incarcerated by armed conflict. They consult with detainees privately and provide confidential discussions about the facility’s human rights violations with

I met with my commander every evening to discuss operations and troop morale. I reported to him that I was still seeking a solution for the religious supplies for the detainees. I also told him I had informed the undersecretary of defense, diplomats, and the International Committee of the Red

I told my commander that finding the required religious items needed a solution, and the military could not legally pay. He advised me to partner with the general for possible host nation support. The general suggested pounding on every door at the Bagdad Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance (ORHA).

As a Chaplain, I facilitated critical incident debriefing (CID) for groups of soldiers within 72 hours after experiencing a traumatic event. Acute stress reactions negatively affect the health and mental status of soldiers on the battlefield. Fear, confusion, anxiety, lack of sleep, and focus are some common reactions to battle