THE UNIT MINISTRY TEAM’S ROLE IN COMBAT …

1 FM 22-51. APPENDIX D. THE UNIT MINISTRY TEAM'S ROLE IN COMBAT STRESS. control AND BATTLE fatigue MINISTRY . D-1. Introduction D-4. Spiritual Values This appendix addresses the general role of the Soldiers' inner resources are often based on their unit MINISTRY team in the commander's program religious and spiritual values. In COMBAT , soldiers of COMBAT stress control and in battle fatigue show more interest in their religious beliefs. MINISTRY . The unit MINISTRY team consists of a When religious and spiritual values are chaplain and chaplain assistant assigned to units challenged during the chaos of COMBAT , soldiers as far forward as the brigade, forward support may lose sight of inner resources that sustain battalion, each maneuver battalion, and some them.

2 The soldiers then become targets of fear, COMBAT support battalions. This team provides despair, hopelessness, and eventually, battle immediate support to leaders in fulfilling their fatigue casualties. They are also at risk for battle fatigue identification and intervention committing misconduct stress behaviors. The responsibilities. The team also assists in training unit MINISTRY team is the primary resource leaders to recognize battle fatigue symptoms. available to soldiers experiencing these dilemmas Unit MINISTRY teams provide training in basic and seeking to refocus their spiritual values. counseling skills for enabling soldiers to talk about their stress. D-5. Team Support D-2. Effects of Stress Unit MINISTRY teams provide preventive, im- mediate, and replenishing spiritual and emotional Negative effects of stress can be lessened when support and care to soldiers experiencing battle the soldier is prepared physically, emotionally, fatigue .

3 And spiritually prior to COMBAT . The unit MINISTRY a. Preventive. The religious support teams prepare soldiers to manage COMBAT stress mission of the unit MINISTRY team assists in with training before and during deployment. This training helps the soldier to draw upon spiritual preventing battle fatigue and misconduct stress strength and share strength and confidence behaviors through establishment of a presence during intensive COMBAT . within the unit. It is important for the unit MINISTRY team to be present with soldiers when the unit trains and when it deploys. The unit MINISTRY team can be a calming influence on D-3. Team Relationship soldiers; the team can help soldiers strengthen or regain values important to them.

4 Some of the The unit MINISTRY team's relationship with the things the unit MINISTRY team does to prevent unit promotes trust with the soldiers. Embedding battle fatigue and misconduct include the the team in maneuver battalions enables it to following: respond readily to the needs of soldiers expe- riencing COMBAT stress and battle fatigue . A Being present with the soldiers person-oriented resource, the team gives religious and deploying with the unit. support to battle fatigue casualties, especially soldiers having less severe difficulties who have Providing opportunities for rapid replenishment potential. private and group prayer and worship. D-1. FM 22-51. Providing personal religious Rites, sacraments, and ordi- articles and materials.

5 Nances as appropriate. Reading the scriptures with Reading from sacred scrip- soldiers. tures. Providing sacraments as the c. Replenishing. Following an engage- situation allows. ment, the unit may require reconstitution through the addition of new personnel. The unit Communicating with soldiers, MINISTRY team will find the surviving soldiers allowing them to work through stress, fear, may require a rebuilding of the emotional, anxiety, anger, and frustration. psychological, and spiritual strength. During this time, the unit MINISTRY team may require Visiting soldiers in work and assistance from a chaplain support team (TOE. living areas. 16500LA/B) or other available rear area unit MINISTRY team assets.

6 The team will maintain its Assisting soldiers and families ongoing direct religious support functions which prior to deployment with preparation for include the following: geographical separation and an uncertain future through programs which emphasize family strengths. This helps soldiers to know that their Coordinating the availability of families are cared for during deployment. worship services, sacraments, rites, and services/. ceremonies honoring the dead. b. Immediate. The unit MINISTRY team assists commanders in the identification of Facilitating the integration of soldiers experiencing battle fatigue . They work personnel replacements. closely with the unit leadership and the medical personnel in battle fatigue care.

7 Chaplains and Facilitating the grief process chaplain assistants are trained to recognize the through personal counseling and memorial signs of battle fatigue and provide religious services. support to soldiers experiencing battle fatigue . The unit MINISTRY team establishes rapport with Reinforcing the soldier's sense the soldier and assesses his religious needs. The of self-worth and hope. team then performs or offers the type of religious support designed to provide the most comfort. Structuring opportunities for This includes such things as the following: soldiers to talk about what they have experienced Presence with the soldier. in COMBAT and facilitating integration of the COMBAT experience into their lives.

8 Conversation and an oppor- tunity to share fears, hopes, and other feelings. Preparing for the next stage of battle. Prayers: general prayers, prayers for the individual, or prayers for fallen Providing personal religious comrades. articles and materials. D-2. FM 22-51. Securing or providing denomi- soldier into family relationships and society at national religious coverage in the unit or for large. Many religious support functions remain other units. the same. Expanded religious support functions may also include the following: Participating in rebuilding the physical, emotional, and spiritual resources of Providing worship events for the unit. the entire unit. The unit MINISTRY team operates with a soldier- Providing worship events for focused approach to religious support.

9 The varied religious denominations. spiritual dimension the team brings to the soldier's situation is an essential element in the Providing briefings which help replenishment process. Religious support assists soldiers recognize, prepare for, and master the the soldier in achieving emotional and spiritual stressors of reunion with family. wholeness. Providing structured events to assist soldiers returning to family and civilian life. D-6. Reintegration Providing opportunities for Following the end of hostilities, the unit MINISTRY soldiers to experience and understand the team facilitates reintegration of the individual forgiving and unchanging love of God. D-3.