The Voice for Chaplaincy - Chartered by Congress - Serving Since 1925
Weekly Newsgram - April 26th , 2017
   Defense Department Expands List Of Recognized Faith and Belief Groups

   In response to the requirements of Section 533 of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2013, The Armed Forces Chaplains Board has recommended adding new faith and belief groups to standardize and better identify religious preferences recognized by the Military Services. The AFCB asserts that these changes to identify the expanded faiths and beliefs will better assist the Department and the Military Services religious support planning by:

Accurately tracking more faith and belief systems, providing more accurate demographic data for religious groups;

Enabling better planning for religious support to the force; and

Providing a better assessment of the capabilities and requirements of each Military Service's Chaplain Corps.

   These additional identifying codes for various faiths and beliefs will be incorporated into the Faith Group codes and provided to the Military Services so the Active and Reserve Components may begin recording in accord with them prior to issuing new reports related to the demographics of the force. 

   The current title "Faith Group Code" will be changed to "Faith and Belief Code" in the Department's personnel reporting requirements. These changes to Faith Group Code will be incorporated in Department of Defense Instruction 1335.05, and Enclosure 5, Department of Defense Manual (DoDM) 1336.05 for the Active Components and Volume 1, DoDM 7730.54, and Enclosure 5, Volume 2, DoDM 7730.54 for the Reserve Components with the next reissuance of these instructions and manuals.

   The memorandum introducing these codes and the codes themselves may be found here. 

  
Lyman Smith
Executive Director




New Member Welcome

Life Member

Chaplain Danny C. Riggs
Major, USAF, Retired
Southern Baptist Convention
Gig Harbor, WA




World War I Centennial

As we remember the entry of the United States into World War I in 1917, many different reflections on the role of chaplain and the impact on chaplaincy are being shared. 

Among these in an article by the Baptist Standard posted earlier this week. In it they interview former Army Chief of Chaplains Doug Carver. The below is taken from the article:

Eleven American chaplains were killed in action, and 12 died of disease.

Twenty-seven World War I chaplains received the Distinguished Service Cross, the second-highest Army award for extraordinary heroism in battle, Carver noted. Recipients of the honor included Colman O'Flaherty, who was killed while helping the wounded in 1918, and John DeValles, who earned the nickname "angel of the trenches" for searching for wounded soldiers in the area between opposing trenches known as "no man's land."

Another notable chaplain was Paul Moody, son of evangelist Dwight Moody. The younger Moody served under Gen. John Pershing in France and "was instrumental in helping to organize the U.S. military chaplaincy into a branch of its own,

You may read the full text here. 

DFAS announces new address for retirees, annuitants

Military retirees and annuitants corresponding with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) will use a new address beginning May 1.
 
The old addresses in London, Ky., have been used for years but are being discontinued and will be replaced by addresses in Indianapolis to help speed up receipt and customer service.
 
The new mailing addresses (beginning May 1) will be :
 
Retired Pay correspondence:
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Retired Pay
8899 E 56th Street
Indianapolis IN 46249-1200
 
Annuitant Pay correspondence:
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
U.S. Military Annuitant Pay
8899 E 56th Street
Indianapolis IN  46249-1300


  News Release
Chaplain Gunhus
Arlington Service for Chaplain Gunhus

Chaplain Gunhus will be laid to rest at a graveside (only) ceremony on April 28, 2017 at 1500. Please arrive at the Administration office at Arlington by 1415. We will caravan over to the site. An ID is required. An informal reception will be held following the service at the Memorial (Main Post) Chapel.




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 
Visit our  website. There you will be able to update your contact information, join or pay your dues, make donations,  file ministry reports, contact our supporters, read The Military Chaplain magazine and otherwise connect to resources.

If you missed the April 19th  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

The Military Chaplains Association of the USA
(703) 533-5890 | Email | Website
STAY CONNECTED: