Air Force Chaplain Corps

The RDC spoke with Dr. Thomas Joiner, author of "Why People Die By Suicide".  We discussed how to support one another.

Please note the Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255, press 1.

If you or a serviceperson you know is experiencing a crisis, use this confidential, toll-free crisis line to reach caring Department of Veterans Affairs responders.  The Veterans Crisis Line can also be reached by text at 838255 or through online chat 

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255

Jeff Bridges and Hailee Steinfeld had it.  Kim Darby and John Wayne had it.  (Or should we say, Rooster Cogburn and Mattie Ross had it!)  We are talking about grit--true grit. 

How do we identify then stick with a goal despite running into challenges?  Grit goes beyond perseverence.  Listen in to the RDCs conversation with Lt Col Brandie Jefferies, the Deputy Chair of the Leadership Department at the Air Command and Staff College.  We discuss her research on grit and talk about ways we can all develop more grit in our lives.

The RDC recently spoke with Chaplain, Capt Lucas Dalgleish who was honored to be invited to jump into Normandy, France on the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day invasion and minister to our joint partners. 

Chaplain Dalgleish jumped in with over 800 paratroopers from the Air Force, 82nd  Airborne and other joint nation partners on June 9th. He was wearing a stole that was first issued to an Army Chaplain in the 1940’s and worn into Normandy in 1944. It has been to every major conflict since then (Vietnam, First Gulf War and the current GWOT), never leaving the shoulders of a military chaplain. Ch, Lt Col Daniel Waterman (ret) passed it on to Ch D at his retirement ceremony this past Summer and Ch D became its custodian while he is serving and until he passes it onto another chaplain. 

This is Part III of a glimpse of how the Chaplain Corps works.  Ch, Col Jonathan Wade, Division Chief of Chaplain Corps Plans and Programs joins us again along with the Deputy Division Chief of Chaplain Corps Plans and Programs, Ch, Maj Daniel Call.

We discussed religious accommodation and religious liberty.  The Air Force has been rolling out new processes for ensuring the religious liberty of Airmen is preserved through intentional religious accommodation. Chaplains Wade and Call give us a behind the scenes description of how this works at the Air Staff along with advice for Chaplain Corps members to help Airmen accomplish a religious accommodation request.

Test question: What percentage of Religious Accommodation requests that are reviewed at Air Staff get approved?

The RDC continues the conversation with Chaplain, Lt Col Jonathan Wade regarding how the Chaplain Corps works.  This week we discuss Air Force Instruction (AFI) 52-101, Chaplain Corps Planning and Organizing--how and why it was edited to help Chaplains and Religious Affairs Airmen better serve the Air Force.  (This week's episode was recorded in front of a special live studio audience!)  We have a focused conversation about the confidentiality of information shared with Chaplains and Religious Affairs Airmen.  (Test question: what is the difference between privileged communication and confidentiality?)

The AFI included several other updates, tune in to find out the details!

In this episode, the RDC talks with Chaplain, Lt Col Wade, the division chief for plans and programs at the Air Force Chief of Chaplains office.  Chaplain Wade lifts the curtain and gives us a glimpse of the underlying machinery of the chaplain corps.

The RDC spoke with Jason Womack, author of "Your Best Just Got Better" and learned practical strategies on personal productivity that were so practical we've been using them ever since the interview!  Listen in for some tips you might be able to apply.

What do you do when you see something wrong at work?  Do you speak up and address the issue?  Or do you try to avoid it and hope it goes away?  What about the risks to career and opportunity?  How do leaders address ethical issues with a top performer?

The RDC spoke with Dr. Catharyn Baird, founder of Ethics Game about ethics in the workplace.  We especially talk about these dynamics in the Chaplain Corps.

Note: Some of the material in this podcast may be intense for some listeners.

Reserve Chaplain Levy Pekar, a Jewish Chaplain, was in the vicinity of the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh during the recent shooting.  Chaplain Pekar responded to the scene and participated in the care of the synagogue.  Chaplains are prepared to bring ministry to the toughest situations and the toughest locations.  

    The RDC spoke with Chaplain Pekar about his experience.

The conversation with Dr. Skelton regarding emotional intelligence continues.  This episode focuses on the impact of emotional intelligence on leadership skill.  Dr. Renea Skelton is a leadership consultant, coach, trainer who served in the Air Force as enlisted and officer in Force Support.  She developed and taught leadership seminars at the United States Air Force Academy focusing on emotional intelligence.  The RDC spoke with Dr. Skelton about emotional intelligence: what is it?  how does it help leaders lead?  can it be developed?  Emotions drive people and people drive performance--this is a vital topic to leaders at all levels.