As Chaplains and CDIs, we are tasked with helping our members with their spiritual needs and faith traditions. In addition to that, we offer comfort and emotional care, conflict management and so much more. But it doesn’t end there! We also need to be excellent leaders...lead by example. Some qualities of a good leader are: 

• Diligence  • Integrity above all  • Trustworthy messenger  • Awarding people for integrity  • Being a good listener  • Able to discern  • Listens to both sides of the story. • Doesn’t play favorites  • Stands up under adversity  • Stands up under praise  • Doing your duty and doing it well  • Always striving for excellence  • Be in initiator, don’t wait for someone else to develop something  • Knowing and following the regulations and governing directives 

Check your habits, your character, and make sure your reputation is stellar. Chaplains and CDIs,you should be progressing in your Specialty Tracks, in your Education and Training Levels. If at a squadron, you should be at every meeting (as is possible), not just the Character Development class. You are their Chaplain/CDI. You should be covering the Encampments, the Cadet Activities, the SAREX’s etc. at least one of those each year. 

And yes, I know how hard it is. As your Chief of Chaplains, my schedule is grueling, and still, by the grace and strength of God, I am able to cover my squadron, the encampment, other activities, and teach at NESA. I’m not bragging on me I’m bragging on God. He will help all of us to cover the areas to which He has called us. It is hard, costs us time and money, time away from family and all else that is precious. But that great God invented great leadership skills. Tap in on it. And in that way, all of the above leadership qualities, and more, will shine through you. 

YOU CAN DO THIS. God bless you all. 

Chaplain, Col Linda J. Pugsley Chief of Chaplains 

Chaplain Morison, the current PCR Region Chaplain, received the 2022 Military Chaplains Association (MCA) CAP Distinguished Chaplain of the Year Award. A frequent contributor to the Transmitter and The Dispatch Safety Newsletter, he recently served with the CAP Support Team embedded with the HIWG Composite Squadron supporting Maui residents during the devastation caused by wildfires. 

Chaplain, Major Michael Morison presented the first of two Zoom briefings on Disaster Chaplaincy to Chaplain Corps members on 25 January 2024. A follow-up briefing is scheduled for 28 February. The material Morison presets is based on his findings published in his 2021 doctoral thesis, “The Field of Disaster Today”1 

In introducing us to disaster chaplaincy, Morison draws deeply from the CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) module already a part of the training of many clergy today: showing up; being rather than doing; listening rather than talking; meeting the survivor where they are walking through the pain with another.

Chaplain Morison presents a comprehensive account of developments in disaster ministry. In the last 15 years, public awareness of disasters has increased dramatically. Media technology has carried major and local disasters into our homes. Following 9/11, many viewers have been emotionally traumatized and retraumatized when replaying disaster footage. Social media, used to provide vital information during disasters, is often a source of misinformation and sensationalized reporting. 

Rabbi Atkins was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 19, 1945. After college, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. During his military service, Atkins became seriously interested in his Judaism. After completing his service, Atkins studied and was ordained at the Rabbinical School of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He returned to the Air Force as a chaplain and served as Area Jewish Chaplain for the Far East, stationed at Clark Air Base, Philippines. In the chaplaincy, he developed and lived an outlook of interfaith cooperation, respect, and sharing, which has been part of his life ever since. After his honorable discharge from the Air Force, Rabbi Atkins served pulpits in Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut. Upon retiring from the pulpit, he and his wife, Iris, moved to New Hampshire to be near family, friends, and the seacoast. Learning that there was a need for a chaplain for the Civil Air Patrol, in 2017, he became chaplain for the Seacoast Composite Squadron, and in 2019 the New Hampshire Wing Chaplain.

Words of Blessing to all CAP members reading this message

If one thing has become clear to almost everyone in recent days, it is that we are all in this together—the “we” enlarged, as never before, to include all human beings everywhere. From China to Italy to Israel, on factory floors and in university classrooms, at empty stadiums and overflowing hospital wards, there is new meaning to the concept of “human community.” The world is without question bound together across every border imaginable.

I have read of a prison chaplain who would tell prisoners that genuine freedom began not from without, but from within.In our own time, leaders such as Nelson Mandela, although in prison, testified that they felt freedom in their souls.

For those of the Jewish faith, this Wednesday evening will be the first Passover when we are uncomfortable leaving our own homes, almost as if we were captives. But restrictions from without can create spaces within. There are universes to be explored in each one of us.

For those of the Christian faith, the Easter message of resurrection, renewal and faith is a most powerful one. Although I sense it from a distance, I do sense its message of belief, strength, support and connection to the Source of All Being. Likewise, for those of the Muslim faith, I understand that Ramadan is a time of spiritual reflection, self- improvement, and heightened devotion and worship

Please take good care of yourself and those close to you, as we together take care of our communities, our neighbors, and all of God’s creation at our shared holy day season. May each of us find both support and joy in our individual faith journeys.

Blessings,
Chaplain Gary Atkins

1April 5, 2020 appearings on the NHWG Chaplain website https://nhwg.cap.gov/members/chaplaincy/chaplaincy messages