transmitter-august-2026

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August 2026

Inspiration to Ponder

Enthusiasm

"Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Enthusiasm can be learned and acquired by practice. The successful people in the world are those who have learned the value of enthusiasm. Thomas Edison is one example of a man full of enthusiasm. It was his enthusiasm that enabled him to keep going when the results were not coming. This very quality not only made him one of the greatest inventors of the 20th century but also one of its greatest promoters. He patented over one thousand inventions in the course of his lifetime. Enthusiasm is always forward-looking. It helps us to see the silver lining in the dark clouds that sometimes mar our happiness."

- Rev. Biju Michael, Doctor of Sacred Theology

Around the Chaplain Corps

Faith, Service, and Support

at Tri-Wing Encampment

by Chaplain (Maj.) Chon Gann

Wing Chaplain, Maryland Wing

Tri-Wing Encampment Chaplain Support Team members above. From left to right are Lt. Col. Jean Marie Nixon, DEWG; Chaplain (Col.) John Reutemann, Chief of Chaplains; Cadet 2d Lt. Jacob Diamond, MDWG; Chaplain (Capt.) Chon Gann, MDWG; and Capt. Jane Toskes, MDWG

Civil Air Patrol’s 2026 Tri-Wing Encampment brought together more than 300 cadets and adult members at Joint Base McGuire-Lakehurst-Dix, NJ, from July 11-18, 2026. The encampment strongly emphasized wellness, resilience, and spiritual support.

Using the Army’s historic Soldier's Chapel at Fort Dix, two services were facilitated. Chaplain (Col.) John Reutemann, CAP Chief of Chaplains, celebrated a Catholic Mass for 60 encampment participants. Additionally, Chaplain (Capt.) Chon Gann, Maryland Wing Chaplain, led a non-denominational Protestant service for 40 attendees and a mid-week music worship service for approximately 50 cadets and staff.

This year also marked the successful pilot of the first Tri-Wing Peer Support Cadet (PSC) program. Cadet 2d Lt. Jacob Diamond served as a liaison between the chaplain support team and cadet staff. The PSC role strengthened cadet wellness monitoring, encouraged early help-seeking, and added a vital resilience “wingman” capability to the encampment’s support structure. In fact, Lt. Diamond was personally coined by Ch. Reutemann for his trailblazing work.

Havdalah Candle Ritual

at Tri-Wing Encampment

Lt. Col. Avi Stein, MDWG, facilitates the Havdalah service with grape juice, braided candle, and spices to mark the end of Shabbat on Saturday night at the Tri-Wing encampment. Cadets from the Delaware and Maryland Wings participated in this Jewish ceremony that marks the end of the holy day and the beginning of the new week.

National Capital Wing Encampment Catholic Mass

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Jonathan Morse conducted a Catholic Mass at the National Capital Wing Encampment at Camp Fretterd, MD. Ch. Morse currently serves as the unit chaplain for the Harford Composite Squadron in Maryland Wing.

Back to Basics

Back to Basics: Keep Growing

by Chaplain (Maj.) Dovid Grossman

Deputy Chief of Plans & Programs for the Chaplain Corps (CAP/HCX)

Every once in a while, it is worth going back to the basics and asking ourselves a simple question: Am I continuing to grow in the way I serve?

For those of us in the Chaplain Corps, learning does not stop when we receive an appointment, complete an initial course, or become comfortable in our present assignment. There is always more to learn, another skill to develop, and another opportunity to become better prepared to serve our members.

Our CAPP 40-80, Chaplain Corps Handbook and Specialty Track Guide, reminds us that the purpose of the specialty track is “personal and professional growth through learning new skills and gaining higher levels of proficiency.”

The specialty track is not simply about checking boxes or earning another rating. It is about becoming more capable, more confident, and better prepared for the opportunities that may come our way. CAPP 40-80 puts it simply: “We want our Chaplains to excel, succeed and to be fully qualified and prepared to serve whenever called upon.”

That same goal applies to all of us serving on Chaplain Support Teams, chaplains and CDIs alike. Our continuing education, specialty track work, mentoring, and on-the-job learning help prepare us for the squadron, the wing, an encampment, a mission, or perhaps an unexpected conversation with someone who simply needs us to be there.

So take a few minutes this month to look at where you are in your professional development. Pull out CAPP 40-80. Review your specialty track. Talk with your mentor. Pick one requirement, one course, or one skill and take the next step.

We never know exactly where the Lord will ask us to serve next. Let’s keep learning so that when that call comes, we are ready.

Source: CAPP 40-80, Chaplain Corps Handbook and Specialty Track Guide, April 2026, p. 9.

Best Practices

The Image of Shepherd

by Chaplain (Capt.) James Konicki

Group Chaplain, New York Mid-Eastern Group (NER-NY-043)

One of the great privileges of the chaplaincy is the call to shepherd those we serve.

The word pastor literally means “shepherd,” derived from the Latin "pascere," that is, "to lead, to pasture, to feed, to tend, or to guard." This image is deeply rooted across religious traditions. In the Bible, both the Hebrew "ro'eh" and the Greek "poimēn" are used as metaphors for leaders who care for God’s people as a shepherd tends a flock. In Islamic tradition, the Prophet Muhammad teaches, “all of you are shepherds and each of you is responsible for his flock,” emphasizing personal responsibility for those entrusted to our care. In Hinduism, Krishna is often depicted as a gentle cowherd, guiding and caring for his flock in the peaceful setting of Vrindavan.

Across these traditions, a common theme emerges: leadership as attentive, responsible, and compassionate caregivers. This reflects the core of our calling as Civil Air Patrol chaplains and CDIs, to bring the shepherding presence of the Holy to those we serve.

At times, that presence is quiet: a steady, protective strength that helps cadets and adult members remain grounded. More often, it is expressed through gentleness: listening, showing empathy, and offering support in moments of struggle. Occasionally, it requires offering correction when someone is straying or when leadership falters. In times of crisis, it is our training, such as ChESS, and our readiness to be present that enables us to support members through successes, traumas, and losses. In all of this, we help “feed” those in our care by guiding them to understand and live out the Core Values.

As we shepherd others, we are also called to shepherd one another, supporting each other through challenges, upholding the highest standards of the chaplaincy, and strengthening one another to faithfully serve within our respective religious traditions.

Need To Know

Chaplain Corps Opportunities

at 2026 National Conference

Loews Kansas City Hotel, Kansas City Missouri

Wednesday, August 26

8:00AM-4:45PM | CHAPLAIN CORPS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (CCEC)

Friday, August 28

6:15-6:45AM | NATIONAL COMMANDER’S CALL TO PRAYER - City Beautiful C Room

9:45-10:30AM | LEAD WITH EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE: STRENGTHENING YOUR IMPACT AS A LEADER - Leadership Room

by Chaplain (Colonel) John Reutemann, Chief of Chaplains

Discover how the four domains of emotional intelligence (EQ) shape eﬀective leadership and influence success beyond technical skills. This session explores practical strategies to develop EQ and apply it in real-world leadership situations.

4:15-5:00PM | SUPPORTING THE WHOLE MEMBER: INTEGRATING HEALTH SERVICES, SAFETY, CHAPLAINCY, AND CADET PROGRAMS - City Beautiful C Room

by Lt. Col. Stephen Leighton, MD, Chief of Health Services; Damen Therkildsen, Director of Safety; Katie Thurson, Program Manager of Cadet Protection; and Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Michael L Morison, Chief of Plans & Program for the Chaplain Corps

Discover how Health Services, the Chaplain Corps, Safety, and Cadet Programs have broken down silos to create a unified approach to member support. This session highlights how the collaboration works, where it happens, and how wings can apply this model to enhance both daily operations and special events.

6:00-7:00PM | JEWISH SHABBAT EDUCATIONAL SERVICE (OPEN TO ALL) - Pomona Room

7:00-8:00PM | JEWISH SHABBAT SEUDAH (MEAL) (REGISTRATION REQUIRED) - Pomona Room

Saturday, August 29

9:45-10:30AM | LEGAL ETHICS VS. MORAL ETHICS: NAVIGATING DECISIONS WITH INTEGRITY - Leadership Room

by Colonel Matthew Phillips, Chief of the Legal Oﬃcer Corps

& Chaplain (Colonel) John Reutemann, Chief of Chaplains

Join the Chiefs of the Legal Oﬃcer Corps and the Chaplain Corps to explore the intersection of legal and moral ethics and how each shapes decision-making in complex situations. This session highlights why both Legal Oﬃcers and Chaplains are essential to a well-rounded staﬀ and ethical leadership.

1:45-2:30PM | DEPARTMENTAL UPDATES - Bacchus Room

Connect directly with National Headquarters staff during the departmental update, where each team will share what’s new, what’s evolving, and what’s on the horizon within their areas.

5:00-5:30PM | CATHOLIC MASS - Leadership Room

5:00-5:30PM | PROTESTANT SERVICE - Bacchus Room

Come meet members of the Chaplain Corps at our table in the Hanger - Neptune Ballroom

Questions? Contact [email protected]

The Virtual Incident Command Post

Needs Your Support

The Virtual Incident Command Post reports detailed information on CAP's daily activities to both CAP's National Command and the First Air Force. Presented below is an end-of-month summary of key information from the larger daily briefing.

The Virtual Incident Command Post (vICP) needs your support!

Chaplains and CDIs are invited to offer an opening prayer. Click here for information and to sign up!

Requesting Spiritual Air Cover

One of the simplest and most meaningful ways the Chaplain Corps can support our Civil Air Patrol family is through prayer.

Through the "Spiritual Support Squadron," we currently have 51 participants ready to pray for the needs of our members, their families, and those important to them. Think of it as spiritual air cover, people standing alongside you in prayer when life becomes difficult, uncertain, or simply overwhelming.

But there is one important limitation: we can only pray for the needs we know about.

That means part of our responsibility as chaplains and CDIs is not only to respond when someone asks for prayer, but also to make sure our members know that this support is available. Mention it at meetings. Include it in newsletters. Remind members during difficult times. When appropriate, simply ask, “Would you like us to have the 'Spiritual Support Squadron' pray for you?”

Prayer requests do not have to involve a crisis. They might concern illness, family challenges, deployment, employment, a difficult decision, grief, an upcoming procedure, or simply a situation where someone would appreciate knowing that others are praying for them.

We have built a community of people who are willing and ready to provide that support. Now we need to help our CAP members make use of it.

Need some spiritual “air cover”? Let us know. We have 51 people ready to pray.

Please send prayer requests to [email protected].

Education & Training Opportunities

Click here for the CAP Chaplain Corps College

Click here for Chaplain Corps Region Staff Colleges (CCRSC)

Click here for the Chaplain Corps Emergency Services School (ChESS)

USAF Chaplain Corps Multi-Faith Calendar

(August 15 - November 15, 2026)

15 Aug - Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Roman Catholic

15 Aug - Dormition of the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary - Orthodox

22 Aug - The Queenship of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Roman Catholic

09 Sep - Krishna Janmashtami - Hindu

11 - 13 Sep - Rosh Hashanah - Judaism

14 Sep - Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross - Roman Catholic, Orthodox

14 Sep - Fast of Gedalya - Judaism

20 - 21 Sep - Yom Kippur - Judaism

22 Sep - Fall Equinox/Mabon - Wicca, Paganism

25 Sep - 02 Oct - Sukkot - Judaism

27 Sep - Elevation of the Cross - Orthodox

03 Oct - Shemini Atzeret - Judaism

04 Oct - Simchat Torah - Judaism

07 Oct - Our Lady of the Rosary - Roman Catholic

20 Oct - Installation of the Guru Granth Sahib - Sikh

31 Oct - Samhain - Wicca, Paganism

01 Nov - Solemnity of All Saints - Roman Catholic

01 Nov - Day of Buddha's Descent - Buddhism

02 Nov - All Souls Day - Roman Catholic

08 Nov - Diwali - Hindu, Jain

10 Nov - Birth of the Bab - Baha'i

10 Nov - Birth of Bahaullah - Baha'i

14 Nov - 24 Dec - Nativity Fast - Orthodox

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]

...or check out our website sections below:

Main Page

Resources

Education and Training

Values for Living 2.0

The Transmitter Searchable Archive Is Now Available

Have you ever wanted to find an article in a previous edition of The Transmitter? Well now you can easily find any information in The Transmitter archive going all the way back to 2008! Check out our new search engine at: https://capchaplain.com/transmittersearch

From the Editor

The Transmitter seeks a Chaplain or CDI who has expertise and experience in editing for grammar and readability. You will serve as a member of the HCX Division Transmitter Team. When the text is ready, the editorial team passes the draft to HCT for formatting and publication. The member would serve as a co-editor and require a few hours a month to review all articles. If you have any questions or are interested in joining the team, please contact [email protected].

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