Chaplain assistants more than just bodyguards

  • Published
  • By Capt. Nicholas J. Sabula
  • U.S. Central Command Air Forces-Forward Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFPN) --  During deployments, chaplains are called upon to provide spiritual services and be available for those who need to talk about their problems and concerns. But even chaplains need support to accomplish their mission.

This is where the chaplain assistants come in. They take care of office functions and the logistical needs so a chaplain can concentrate on people.

“As far as deployments go, it’s as easy as working at home base,” said Staff Sgt. Benjamin Trevino, 379th Air Expeditionary Wing chaplain assistant. “We do the usual weekend worship, ordering supplies and making sure everyone has the equipment they need.”

“We set up for services and handle all the administrative aspects of the chapel,” said Airman Kevin Intemann, 379th AEW chaplain assistant, who came on this deployment from Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., after only 15 months in the Air Force. “There are more services than (back home), and we have to be prepared for that, because they take more time to set up. Back in the states, we have volunteers to do some of the tasks we do to get ready for services.”

One unique aspect to their deployed mission is traveling with chaplains on aircraft throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Sergeant Trevino said most people think only of the common stereotype that comes with his job description.

“On the planes, that’s what everyone talks about, saying ‘Hey there’s the chaplain’s bodyguard,’” Sergeant Trevino said. “Sure, we’re here to protect the chaplains since they don’t carry a weapon, but lots of people might have weapons depending on the mission.”

But like at home, the assistants help the chaplains reach people seeking counseling and guidance.

“A lot of our job is to be the eyes and ears for the chaplains when talking to people,” said Sergeant Trevino, deployed from Aviano Air Base, Italy. “Some people aren’t comfortable talking to an officer, but they’ll talk to us.”

Sergeant Trevino said at that point, they get the chaplains to come and talk, since only chaplains can ensure complete confidentiality on what is told to them.

“We don’t do counseling,” he said. “We don’t do anything that involves privileged communication. We have it, but that’s just in case someone mistakes us for a chaplain and starts going off about something. We don’t do anything like that.”

Airman Intemann said he volunteered for the deployment because although several people were supposed to go ahead of him, he thought it would be a good opportunity to see the expeditionary aspect of the Air Force and to do something important to him.

He recalls getting to help out in places he never thought he would be, like transporting wounded troops from their medical evacuation flight to a bus at Baghdad International Airport, Iraq.

“As the troops came off the plane, we were helping with their bags and getting them where they needed to be,” Airman Intemann said. “It felt good to help.”

Sergeant Trevino said although it is tough to be away from his family, there are some rewarding aspects to what he is doing here with the chapel.

“Knowing on occasion, you’re helping someone -- not everyone needs help, but it’s rewarding when they do,” he said. “That’s why we’re here.”