The Voice for Chaplaincy - Chartered by Congress - Serving Since 1925
Weekly Newsgram - May 3rd , 2017

 

The Department of Defense released the Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military on the 1st of May. The report covers all branches of the military for the 2016 Fiscal Year. Among the findings in the report:

- 4.3% of women and 0.6 % of men experienced a sexual assault during the year
- these findings were down from 2014 when 4.9% and 0.9% of men experienced sexual assault
- as many as one in three service members reported the incidents in 2016 compared to an estimate of one in 14 reported ten years ago
- an estimated 14,900 service members indicated they experienced sexual assault in FY16 compared to 20,300 victims in FY14  - both fewer than the 34,000 who experienced sexual assault in FY06
- more than 735,000 actively serving members were invited to participate in the study and 24% replied to the invitation
-  75% of service members who reported their assaults and went through the justice process would recommend others do the same

Digging a bit deeper, 63% of women and 43% of men who experienced sexual assault were likely to be satisfied with the response and services they received from a chaplain, similar to the same satisfaction with response from SARCs and SVCs/VLCs. 

29% of men who reported were dissatisfied with responses and services received from a chaplain - only mental health providers had a lower dissatisfaction rating while unit commanders, senior enlisted advisers, and immediate supervisors all had dissatisfaction ratings from men in excess of 50%. 

The DOD goal is to create a climate in which 100% of those experiencing sexual assault come forward and report the incident. Chaplains are a key component in addressing this ongoing crime within the ranks. We are an invaluable part of the team and able to assist those in need as others cannot. 

The entire report is available here. A PDF copy of the 2016 Workplace and Gender Relations Survey is available here

Lyman Smith
Executive Director




Rest In Peace


LCDR, USN, Retired
Southern Baptist Convention
Joined MCA 1991
Life Member 2006
Deceased May 30, 2016
Ocala, Florida


New Members Welcome

Regular Member

Chaplain Mark A. Ober
2nd Lt. Civil Air Patrol
Baptist
Albion, IN

Associate Member

Chaplain Andreas Larsson
Captain, Swedish Army Reserve
Pentecostal/Lutheran
Hudiksvall, Sweden



South Carolina Chapter Supports Relief Efforts throughout the State

At its meeting on the 26th of April, the MCA South Carolina Chapter presented a check to the 1 SC Fund to assist in on-going flood relief efforts throughout South Carolina. According to the former director of relief efforts for the governor, "faith based groups provide the bulk of rebuilding efforts in the state." 100% of the funds presented to the 1 SC Fund go toward relief. 

The MCA National Executive Committee was pleased to be present as a part of our meeting for the presentation. Congratulations to the SC chapter for their on-going work of being chaplains for life. 

Annual MCA Awards and 
National Executive Committee Members

Please make your nominations now for our Annual Awards and NEC. 

Each year we present three awards to deserving individuals who represent the values and principles we embrace and advance as an organization. The three are:

The National Citizenship Award - presented to an individual or individuals  who make a significant contribution in public service and who support the values and needs of our nation's military members and their families.

The G, William Dando Volunteer Service Award  - Our award for volunteer service is named for Chaplain Dando and honors one of our members who exemplifies a life long commitment to sacrificial service.

The David E. White Leadership Award - Presented by the Military Officers Association of America to a chaplain wit a  lifetime commitment and  vision for Joint service, inter-agency collaboration, and overall ministry professionalism.

We also elect four new members to our NEC each year seeking to have all segments of our membership represented on our governing board. 

Please send your nominations and supporting reasons to chaplains@mca-usa.org. Nominations will be received through June 30. Thank you. 


Religion and Spirituality:
The Impact on Chaplains

MCA National Institute 2017
October 23 - 26, 2017
Newport News, Virginia


or call
866-329-1758
ask for Military Chaplains 

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If you missed the April 26th  edition of the Newsgram     click here 
SUPPORTING CHAPLAINCY IN AND OUT OF UNIFORM: Active, Retired and Former Chaplains of the  United States Army,  United States Navy,  United States Air Force, Department of  Veterans Affairs, and  Civil Air Patrol

AND THOSE THEY SERVE: military members, veterans, and their families  at home and around the world

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