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October 2025

Who Founded the Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Corps?

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Alan Zaugg, introduces us to a most amazing chaplain. The Air Force provided one of their best. Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Robert Preston Taylor


A well-known Jesuit once noted that if we do not know where we have come from, we cannot know where we are. If we do not know where we are, we don't know where we are going. Knowing our legacy, the shoulders we stand on allow us to be guardians of our legacy and to past that legacy on to the next generation of chaplains and CDIs. 
Read the introduction to the story of our founding chaplain and how it all began. 

Inspiration to Ponder

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"We are not human beings on a spiritual journey. We are spiritual beings on a human journey." 


Pierre Teilhard de Chardin



Around the Chaplain Corps

Expressing Gratitude . . . Support from Local Faith Communities

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Chaplains have received invaluable support from their local churches and synagogues. The generosity shown by these faith communities has made it possible for chaplains to participate in both scheduled and emergency activities, even when these commitments require them to be away from their own congregations. This support is deeply appreciated and should never be underestimated, as it enables chaplains to serve effectively in their broader roles while maintaining their connection to their home faith communities.

As he prepares to express gratitude to his church, Chaplain (Capt.) James A. Konicki offers some thoughts, you can read here, about how you too can express your gratitude.

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QPR Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Class

Major Brenda M. Morrissey, Character Development Instructor 

Chaplain Support Specialist- Disaster Rated

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Major Morrisey facilitated a Hybrid Offering (both in-person and virtual) training session for the QPR Institute's Suicide Prevention Gatekeeper Course at the Academy Cadet Squadron as the Instructor on Friday, October 10th, 2025. We extend our appreciation to the chaplains and Character Development Instructors who consistently dedicate additional time, expertise, and resources to support our members.



WHAT IS QPR? The QPR Institute’s mission is to save lives and reduce suicidal behaviors by providing innovative, practical, and proven suicide prevention training. We believe that quality education empowers all people, regardless of their background, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know.



WHAT IS A QPR GATEKEEPER? A gatekeeper is someone in a position to recognize a crisis and the warning signs that someone may be contemplating suicide. QPR Gatekeepers can be anyone, but include Parents, Teachers, Ministers, Youth, Doctors, First Responders, Mental Health Professionals, And YOU!



Email [email protected] for more information about future training events.

Need to Know

Highlights and Rewards of A Civil Air Patrol Character Development Officer

Capt. Marguerite Venn, Squadron Commander, Character Development Officer

A Civil Air Patrol Character Development Officer has a unique opportunity to share the worth of Civil Air Patrol core values. In our monthly lessons we reinforce Integrity, Volunteer Service, Excellence, Respect in all areas of our lives. These lessons give a chance for cadets to share their views on each lesson and to discuss how they can apply what we talk about in class to the challenges, family life, and school in everyday life. Having a Character Development Officer in your squadron is important because they can serve as a mentor or safe person, a cadet might come to you with concerning a problem at school or in their family. The Character Development Officer is not a professional counselor but serves a resource to refer the cadet to an appropriate chaplain or professional to help them. One of the greatest rewards a Character Development Officer can experience is seeing a cadet apply a skill or topic they acquired from a previous lesson or experience. Recently, one of my cadets asked if we could repeat making our vision board before school starts so he can plan his goals for this year. What a beautiful thank you. I am blessed to be a Civil Air Patrol Character Development Officer.



We are grateful for this opportunity to share a story about our CDIs and their work as a member of the Chaplain Corps.

Best Practices

Tips for Chaplain Corps Ministry 

Chaplains and Religious Support Airmen

By Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Michael Morison

Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Cecil Richardson (Ret), 16th Chief of Chaplains of the USAF, in speaking to the USAF Chaplains Summit for Senior Religious Support Teams, shared thirteen tips for Chaplains and Religious Affairs Airmen. His tip’s function like an in-flight checklist for pilots. These tips serve to keep us focused on our ministry and mission.

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  1. Remember your calling (spiritual endurance). This keeps you going.
  2. Wisdom (ask for this gift from God). It is your greatest need.
  3. Do an about face and see the hand of God in your life. Look back on your life and what God has done.
  4. Let the dead possums rot. Do not let negativity cause you to lose your ministry. Negative experiences can be faith building because everything works for the good. Focus on your ministry.
  5. Be a good writer. We need good writers; it is a learned skill.
  6. Know the tenets of the major worlds’ religions. Commanders want to know this, too.
  7. Never use profanity. This reflects poorly on the Chaplain Corps
  8. Attend all the ceremonies that you can. Work this ministry of presence into your schedule.
  9. Small kindnesses prevent staff infections (Laugh, get together, etc.).
  10. Embrace the future, but not AI. Don’t let AI become your God. AI cannot do ministry of presence, feel compassion, console.
  11. Have a verse ready to share that can provide solace and calm. For example: “The Lord is my light and salvation, whom should I fear?” (Ps. 27:1)
  12. God first, family second, and ministry third. No exceptions.
  13. Trust in God. You cannot do your job without trusting in God. It is because He is God and He loves you.

Chaplain Richardson noted that he had about one-hundred tips for chaplains. Therefore, one could infer that, as checklists differ between aircraft, you can adapt and create an in-flight checklist appropriate for you. Regularly using the checklist supports maintaining spiritual fitness and mission focus.

Two videos you may wish to review are listed below. 1. The Heart of the Chaplain is a four-minute story of the lasting impact of a chaplain on the life of a young Lieutenant. 2. The Bing Video is a thirty-four-minute video of Ch Richardson’s presentation at the USAF Chaplains Summit. You have the opportunity to hear the full story in his inimitable style.

The Heart of a Chaplain -- Chaplain (Maj. Gen.)(Ret) Richardson's true story

Bing Videos

Servant Leadership Opportunities

vICP – Virtual Incident Command Post

CAP’s longest running mission, the Virtual Incident Command Post. Support a team that depends on HC spiritual care. Sign up now!



Be sure you are signed in with your hc.cap.gov email address or request one at [email protected] 👉 Sign up here

Chaplain Corps Education and Training Opportunities

Where does one go for information?

The Chaplain Corps has four divisions where one can go for assistance. You may contact the appropriate division for assistance.



Education, for all questions related to Chaplain Corps courses. [email protected]

Personnel, for all questions related to personnel concerns. [email protected]

Technical, for all questions related to software and IT concerns. [email protected]

Plans & Programs, for all questions related to operational concerns. [email protected]

Find information you need on the 

Chaplain Corps Website

Main PageResourcesEducation and TrainingValues for Living 2.0
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The Dispatch is a newsletter published monthly 

by Health Services, Safety and Chaplain Corps.

The Transmitter is published monthly by the Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Corps

Please send inquires to [email protected]

October 2025

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