Chaplain Testifies of Second Iraq Deployment
For those who may not know my story, I will share a short summary, and then make some comparisons concerning second deployments. I attended the Church of God Theological Seminary, Cleveland, Tennessee, from fall 2000 to spring 2004. During that time I worked full-time took a full-time load and was commissioned as an Army Reservist through the Chaplain Candidate program. In my reserve duty I completed Army Chaplains School during two consecutive summers at Fort Jackson, SC, a Combat Ministry Practicum at Ft. Drum, NY, 1 Unit of CPE (400 hrs) at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, DC, and a Garrison Ministry Practicum at Ft. Gordon, GA. Upon completion of these courses and graduation, I submitted a packet to the Army (November 04) for active duty. I was picked up for active duty and took my first assignment at Ft. Riley, KS; joining an Armor Battalion (Tanks and Armored Vehicles). After arriving to that duty station, I processed into the post, met my commander, got my family settled, and left for Iraq for the first time 19 days later. The following story highlights a comparison between my first and second tours to Iraq and how the ministry and stress of war was different, yet the same.
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Chaplain Bartels |
This present deployment came very quick and I found myself locked into a completely different environment. The mission, the operational plans, deployment meetings, family readiness and the like, had all been achieved prior to my arrival. My mission was to get settled and head to Iraq. So, I met everyone I would work with and support either on the plane ride to the front, or shortly after arriving in country. This would become the first of many hurdles to overcome as I had to integrate not only with the battalion team, but with brigade as well; formulate a working relationship with my new chaplain assistant, and establish credibility with the all the soldiers for whom I would be their chaplain. Wow! Not a simple task, but I cherished the wisdom of scripture: With God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). In my first deployment the hurdle of credibility was a large one, taking about 3-5 months to open the trust barriers with the troops. Chaplaincy is about interpersonal relationships, and it took some time to work past the old and open new positive lines of communication in a high stress, combat environment. Once that was achieved, ministry began to increase on multiple levels. A supportive commanding officer, lots of patience, a heart for ministry and soldiers, lots of prayer, and strength in the midst of chaos were just some of the factors that contributed to that achievement.
I call the first deployment; “Baptized by Fire!” So much happening in such a short amount of time and with such a large degree of residual fiber. God always has a plan for our lives and it simply takes obedience to his will in order to allow that to happen. That first deployment, as significant and as life changing as it was for so many, was a place I truly knew I was in God’s will and had His blessed peace. The missions, the counseling, the services provided, experiences achieved, relationships developed with colleges and/or leaders, and the strength accomplished in marriage and family can not be forgotten. They have been pivotal in my development as a minister and chaplain.
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Chaplain Bartels and wife Teresa |
During this second deployment to Iraq, the mission and the stress may be different, but I still find ways to shepherd the flock and share the gospel of Jesus. My presence in the unit has never had a credibility hurdle to overcome, yet other challenges exist and will surface along the way. I spend a lot of time these days visiting the outlying areas, providing ministry through the ministry center, and integrating into two distinct missions; Medical Evacuation and Air Assault. The Medevac company in the battalion has some soldiers completing their 4th deployment. These multiply deployments bring with them the past traumas and experiences as well as new ones. So, I fly on various missions with them and provide intentional ministry to crews and patient.
“With about 10 months to go on this deployment, I long to return to my family and my 5 month old daughter. Until then may God continue to guide us and keep us and may the heart of ministry in the military be forever thriving and fruitful!”
