CH (MAJ) Jason Phipps interviews two graduates of Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course, Class 23-003 - CH (1LT) Jacob Zhang and 1LT Chad Smith. Each share their unique calling to the Chaplain Corps and their impressions of CHBOLC after having completed the course on 14 December 2023.

CH (MAJ) Jason Phipps sits down with CH (COL) Lou DelTufo and CSM Evelyn Montealegre, the Commandant and Senior Enlisted Advisor for the United States Army Institute for Religious Leadership, who share their pathways that led them into the Chaplain Corps. With a combined 57 years of experience in the Corps, they've seen God walk with them through many experiences that are relevant for chaplains coming into the Army today. They place special emphasis on personal spiritual health, the art and science of professionalism, and enduring physical fitness.

CH (MAJ) Jason Phipps interviews LTC Tony Messenger, Battalion Commander for 1st Battalion, 13th Infantry Regiment at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. LTC Messenger shares his own unique perspective, as a Green Beret and Paratrooper, on the relationship between the Commander and the Chaplain. He reveals the inherent value of establishing good rapport and trust by way of embracing the culture particular to that unit.

CH (MAJ) Jason Phipps sits down with Dr. Nathan White, Associate Dean of the USA-IRL Graduate School. Opportunities abound for personal and professional development within the Chaplain Corp, but it begins with the hard work first accomplished in CHBOLC. This includes written and oral assignments that can often pose deep challenges for incoming students. Together, Dr. White and CH Phipps discuss how proper written and oral communication sustain the relevance of a chaplain amongst his or her fellow staff officers and Command Team. They conclude with the importance of cultivating a solid theology of suffering within the context of the Army and how, in some cases, it begins with the academic rigors of CHBOLC.

Dr. White can be reached by email at: [email protected]

CH (MAJ) Jason Phipps sits down with CH (LTC) Chris Bryan, the National Guard liaison to the US Institute for Religious Leadership. Together, they discuss the need to be strongly rooted in one's faith and theology before starting CHBOLC. Through shared experiences, they talk about how to spiritually thrive in the midst of challenges that could potentially cause chaplains to forsake their convictions and diminish their ministry effectiveness.

CH (MAJ) Phipps brings back Meredith Phipps for another interview. This time they focus on nervous system regulation and how it is vitally important to maintain a proper balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems during CHBOLC. Meredith explains the function of each system and gives some practical ways in which to moderate them while dealing with the stressors of military training.

CH (MAJ) Jason Phipps interviews Dr. Nicholas Pickrell, resident chiropractor at Fort Jackson, SC. Dr. Pickrell shares some of the recurring soldier issues he deals with as a chiropractor, what strength and endurance looks like through the lens of chiropractic care, and how to link up with him for rehab.

CH (MAJ) Jason Phipps interviews CH (MAJ) Jim Murray, former Battalion Chaplain for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and CHBOLC Small Group Leader. Together, they discuss the what it means to share in the physical sufferings of soldiers and how these challenges can enhance the chaplain's ministry opportunities.

CH (MAJ) Jason Phipps interviews Meredith Phipps, clinical intern at the Maryland University of Integrative Health. Meredith unpacks eudaimonic well-being and its application to the rigors of Army chaplaincy. Together, they discuss the importance of spiritual and mental readiness prior to arrival at CHBOLC and moving forward into future ministry.

Meredith's studies can be found at the following links:

-Experiential Appreciation https://doi.org/10.1038/s41562-021-01283-6

-Eudaimonic wellbeing as discussed in the context of polyvagal theory https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2018.00067/full

CH (MAJ) Jason Phipps interviews LTC Ben Bower, Physical Therapist and Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) Senior Lead for the 193rd Infantry Brigade. LTC Bower explains the relevance behind the fitness domains found in Field Manual 7-22. CH Phipps also shares with prospective students what some of the expectations are for physical fitness within the Army.

For more information on the Army Combat Fitness Test: https://www.army.mil/acft/