January 2025

A MESSAGE FROM 

CHAPLAIN (LT. COL.) VAN DON WILLIAMS

DEPUTY CHIEF OF CHAPLAINS

Dear Chaplains and CDIs,

As we begin this new year of 2025, I would like to thank all Chaplain Corps personnel for their dedication and commitment to Civil Air Patrol in 2024.

The Chaplain Corps of Civil Air Patrol is a Family, a unique Family that provides CAP, among many things, with a “Ministry of Presence” to those in need. It is my hope and prayer that we continue the development, training and education needed to advance our personnel in all phases of their CAP journey. We can better assist all CAP members as they fulfill the missions of Civil Air Patrol, by being the best we can be in ours.

Remember, we are Family, a unique Family, and so I believe that “The Family that Prays together, Stays together”. We have seen and will be seeing changes in the Chaplain Corps as we continue in this new transition under our new Chief of Chaplains, Colonel John Reutemann. Let us be ever mindful of one another in this CAP ministry. Thanking you in advance for your continued devotion to CAP and the Chaplain Corps.

Blessings,

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Van Don Williams

Deputy Chief of Chaplains

Civil Air Patrol, United States Air Force Auxiliary

CIVIL AIR PATROL CHAPLAIN CORPS - 75 YEARS SPIRITUAL FITNESS FOR TODAY'S MISSIONS 

AND TOMORROW'S LEADERS

The Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Corps kicks off its 75th anniversary year with a logo and a tag line. Thank you to everyone who submitted some excellent ideas. "SPIRITUAL FITNESS FOR TODAY'S MISSIONS AND TOMORROW'S LEADERS"

NEW 75th Anniversary Chaplain Corps Challenge Coin
The CAP Chaplain Corps College will make the 2025 edition of the generic Chaplain Corps coin for "excellence" available in February. This two-inch shiny-gold coin will feature the 75th anniversary logo on the reverse. This year the coins will be individually numbered as a collector's item. The coin will be available for cost plus postage. That should be $7 per coin plus postage. Watch for details on how to order coins for your events during this milestone year of celebration.

2025: The Year of Ownership 

in Civil Air Patrol

On Thursday, January 16, the national commander/CEO of CAP, Maj. Gen. Regina Aye took to the digital channel on Absorb to conduct a national briefing to over 600 members the organization on her vision to make the year 2025 the “Year of Ownership” for Civil Air Patrol.

During her briefing the CAP Chaplain Corps was specifically mentioned, called out in her slides, and discussed in the online comments reflecting her intent that the corps should quickly adapt and adopt her vision to include this program into its own processes and teachings.

Her vision is based on the book “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win” by two former U.S. Navy SEAL Team members.

During the webinar the national commander talked about her words in the recent issue of The Transmitter magazine and in the webinar about “transformation” for the CAP Chaplain Corps. According to the Chief of Chaplains, Chaplain (Colonel) John Reutemann III, this transformation is moving us towards a better reflection of the structure of the USAF Chaplain Corps, which will increase our interoperability with them as our parent organization. General Aye called out the chaplain corps to “be that caring organization inside our organization.” She repeatedly mentioned that the goal of the corps was to provide “spiritual fitness” as it tales care of all CAP members.

During the comment period, Chaplain Reutemann pointed out that “senior cadets could embrace the concept of extreme ownership by stepping up in their requirements to help facilitate character development, and not just see it as a box to check for their own progression.” He also pointed out that this was “a great opportunity for cadets to ‘own’ character development” and embrace their roles as mentors of their peers.

Going forward, Chaplain Reutemann has committed his staff to look for ways to provide materials to the region and wing teams which help make the corps a paradigm of “extreme ownership” and facilitate these teachings in its materials for cadets and adults.

The next national class on “Extreme Ownership” will take place on March 1, 2025. All CAP members can get credit for attending this year’s virtual national conference by reviewing the recording of the January 16 webinar and participating in the March 1^st event.



Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Timothy Miner
Commandant, Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Corps College