Military Ministry

The following update was received from Chaplain Mortenson:

We just finished celebrations for the Army’s 250 yr. Anniversary. There have been events and activities everywhere, not just the capitol/DC. On Ft. Leonard Wood, we had a three-day running event to carry the Army Colors 250 miles around various roads and streets on post. 

Each morning started off with a prayer at the MSCoE (Maneuver Support Center of Excellence) flagpole, followed by a team of runners who would trade off throughout the day. There was a chase vehicle with fresh runners to swap out along the way. Ft. Leonard Wood is anything but flat! 

MSCoE is the command element on Ft. Leonard Wood (FLW), and it encompasses all the training, schools, and most of the units on FLW. The Chemical Corps, Military Police Corps, and Army Engineer Corps all have their ‘home’ here and do much of their training on FLW. FLW is almost entirely oriented to training, with only a tiny representation of ‘operational’ units, i.e. real-world missions focus. I gave the prayer on day two, and later in the day ran a short section with people from the 84th Chemical Battalion (BN). That BN is one of 5 in my Brigade (BDE). They train future Chemical Corps personnel for Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear (CBRN) missions. That mostly deals with understanding, managing, and testing/treating for the elements mentioned. The U.S. does not deploy chemical weapons. 

I just finished my annual evaluation, which takes some time. It’s essentially my yearly report card that influences career progression. I’m in a supervisory position, so I’ve been working through evaluations with four other chaplains under me as well. All the admin is not my favorite part of the job… but it’s necessary, important, and needs attention. World events are what they are. I don’t think my attitude is uncommon, it just means that the military tends to be focused on ‘managing’ conflict from day to day. Being prepared is the main thing, and as a Christian and a Chaplain, it means keeping the people I take care of prepared through their faith with focus on Christ. 

There are always the counseling and relationship strengthening efforts, along with a focus on moral leadership from my position. It is always in support of the command that I fall under, which is a unique focus of working within the military institution. However, I wouldn’t be a Chaplain if my first priority were not 1st Amendment support and the free exercise of religion, and my identity as a Lutheran and minister of the Gospel. 

The school year finished at the end of May for the girls, so they have been out for a couple of weeks now. Sophia will be a freshman in college at Missouri State in Springfield, MO. Abigail will be a senior in high school. Olivia will be a freshman in high school. Evelyn will be starting 4th grade. Madeline will be starting 1st grade. Thank you for your prayers! 

Please continue to keep Chaplain Mortenson, his family, the base in your prayers.