"Since its inception, the Air Force Chaplain Corps has recruited, trained and sustained a ready force of professionals to minister to combatants and in so doing ready them for the battles they will fight in defense of our national interests. This largely Cold War model of ministry has served our nation well and many of its tenets must be held to tightly. But the long war we find ourselves in, a war all too often described and confused by religious innuendo, needs a chaplaincy willing to take calculated risks outside the wire to do what chaplains alone are credentialed to do. For in sitting "holy man" with "holy man," listening to and telling the stories of our respective communities, hearts and minds cannot help but be won."--Abstract from web site.

This paper addresses the debate concerning the place of the chaplain in the role of a religious liaison. This is done by looking at some of the issues concerning religion in world affairs, particularly the marginalization in diplomacy and military operations. It demonstrates how religion does play a part in conflict resolution and how religious leaders are involved. It addresses Air Force, DOD and Joint Publications concerning the chaplain as a religious liaison and the critical issue of noncombatant status of the chaplain. It shows the chaplain's unique position in conflict situations within the realm of religion and calls for an expanded doctrine and formalized training in the area of religious liaison.

The first scholarly evaluation of the contemporary US military chaplain corps, and the first to offer not only political and military but also theological analysis, Religion in Uniform shows why the military’s chaplaincy is a failing public project, and what Americans can do about it.

This publication provides doctrine for religious affairs in joint operations. It also provides information on the chaplain¿s roles as the principal advisor to the joint force commander (JFC) on religious affairs and a key advisor on the impact of religion on military operations. The publication further provides information on the chaplain¿s role of delivering and facilitating religious ministries in joint operations. Contents: (1) Basis of Religious Support: Introduction; Authorities; The Non-Combatant Status of the Chaplain; The Combatant Status of Enlisted Support Personnel; (2) Fundamentals, Relationships, and Duties; (3) The Role of Religious Affairs in Joint Operations; (4) Appendix; (5) Glossary. Charts and tables.

The three researchers of "Military Chaplains as Peace Builders: Embracing Indigenous Religions in Stability Operations"-Chaplain (Col) William Sean Lee, Lt Col Christopher J. Burke, and Lt Col Zonna M. Crayne, all Air Force Fellows-make suggestions that bring the chaplain business into the twenty-first century. Religion and culture in general have been long neglected by planners, policy makers, and diplomats. Our experience in Phase IV, or the constructive phase, of Operation Iraqi Freedom has clearly exposed this inattention as a serious flaw in bringing peaceful development to Iraq. These authors suggest that military chaplains can be a part of a better solution. It is not a case of trying to proselyte; it is rather one of engaging local religious leaders to facilitate the stabilization process. Currently, US military chaplains not only provide religious and spiritual support to military personnel and their families, but also train to conduct religious area analyses and assessments, primarily for the purpose of advising the commander on indigenous religious culture and practices. The thesis of this paper is to suggest an expanded role as religious liaison, wherein the chaplains would have a direct interface with local religious groups and religious leaders. The chaplains would develop a dialogue, build relationships, promote goodwill, and even help create formal inter-religious councils. The authors recommend changes affecting doctrine, training, and assignments that are necessary to facilitate this expanded role of chaplains. Commanders often have a military lawyer and intelligence officer by their side when addressing operational decisions. Chaplains of the future should be equally important to the commander conducting stability operations. Our leadership must be comfortable in the understanding that an individual does not have to become religious in order to understand religion.

Joint doctrine identifies the chaplain as a potential liaison with foreign religious officials. Many of these religious officials carry authority beyond that of church doctrine as they often wield power essential to stabilizing a given region. Chaplains need to understand this liaison role and train to it to make their expertise available to the Operational Commanders in the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT). In this way, chaplains can minimize inter-religious friction while maximizing intercultural understanding during conflict and post-conflict operations. Chaplains in this liaison role can be a factor in removing the issue of "religion" from insurgents while caring for the needs of the indigenous population through local religious leaders and nongovernmental agencies (NGOs). Chaplains can, and must be used to assist the Operational Commander in stabilizing a region where military forces are currently employed without violating the chaplain's unique role as a noncombatant.