Chaplain candidates tour Charleston

Published July 31, 2008
By Tanya Trejo
315th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- Forty-four chaplain candidates arrived at Charleston Air Force base Sunday on the fourth stop of a 28-day tour. The tour is designed to give the candidates an introduction to the Air Force Reserve.

Many of the chaplain candidates are in their first year of seminary and many are beginning to learn about everything the Air Force does.

"Thus far I have taken away a lot of information from this trip, such as the different missions of the Air Force Reserve Command," said 2nd Lt. Roschelle Binion, chaplain cadidate. "It is helping us learn how we can best minister."

The candidates toured the 315th Ariel Port, a C-17, the mini C-17, explosive ordinance disposal, life support, fabrication shop, and comm/nav shops.

The chaplain candidates were also able to visit the Ralph H. Johnson VA Medical Center in downtown Charleston. During this stop they were able to hold worship services at the VA and minister to veterans.

"It was exciting to interact with this highly motivated and energetic group," said Chaplain John (Maj.) Painter, 315th Chaplain. "The chaplain candidates approached unit and hospital visitation and the VA worship services with professionalism and zeal." Chaplain Painter is also the VA Senior Staff Chaplain.

Another addition to the chaplain candidate tour included tours of three historic churches downtown, St. Phillip's Episcopal Church, Beth Elohim Synagogue, and French Huguenot Church.

Chaplain Painter explained, "We were able to have some fun as well. One chaplain candidate, a music major, was given the opportunity to play the historic organ at the French Huguenot church. Another, a Rabbi, assisted with the tour of a local synagogue and, while there, demonstrated the use of the Shophar, a ceremonial ram's horn trumpet."

This multiple base tour is the first time chaplain candidates have been able to tour numerous bases. In summers past the chaplain candidates went to a single location.

"I would have loved to have had the opportunity to learn from a variety of chaplains in this hands on context," said Chaplain (Capt.) Jamie Danford, 908 Airlift Wing at Maxwell, AFB.

Not only did the chaplains have an informative time while at Charleston, but they were also able to enjoy their time here as well.

"It has been a wonderful and awesome trip," said Lieutenant Binion. "I am learning new things every day. It will be beneficial in the future for everyone. This is an experience that will broaden their horizons,"

After this trip the candidates will finish seminary school before deciding to be Air Force Chaplains.

They departed Charleston today for Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Some of the other bases included on the tour are Patrick AFB, Homestead Air Reserve Base, and Eglin AFB, Fla.