For God and Country

By Dr. Dennis Hoover on 28 February 2010

Military chaplains face new challenges and growing expectations as they operate in multi-faith contexts abroad. The policies governing the military chaplaincy, and the effectiveness with which the chaplains carry out these policies, are increasingly relevant to the readiness, strategic thinking, and on-the-ground performance of military forces. As such, it is perhaps not surprising that in recent years there have been calls for military chaplains to expand their role as inter-religious liaisons and as advisors to commanders on religious affairs.

The trend is part of a rising tide of recognition within governmental institutions in general, and national defense institutions in particular, that religious factors are central to security—and hence that there is an urgent need for real-time religious expertise. A lively debate has begun over the expectations that should—and should not—be placed on the military chaplaincy in this regard. ...

Read Dr. Hoover's full article at The Review of Faith & International Affairs.

Last updated 28 February 2010