Our next door neighbor is one - enlisted out of college, I believe is at knife and fork school now. He was home a couple of months ago and was very warmly welcomed when he came to shul on Saturday morning. We Jews are learning what time it is, what needs to be done, and whom we can do it with.
I’ve known a few, as well.
There are few more potent forces in the military than properly motivated chaplains. One was once described to me as being either immovable object or unstoppable force. An accurate description.
It is not an easy job, as they have to face up to some terrible human tragedy and deep depression. They also have to be able, at a moments notice, to take charge, as an alternative chain of command, if the regular chain has failed.
While I have seen both good and bad examples of military clergy, I have never seen what could be called a “ferocious rabbi”. And this is someone that is needed for military personnel.
This is not to say that Rabbi Chaplains are bad. They are often very good. But it is a question of whether or not they are good enough, and in the right way.
Well written. Makes me pine for my Platoon Commander days. Too bad for the LT that when it becomes known that he can write well he will be sitting in S-1 handling all the Battalions correspondence. Believe me, once he is taught to write “militarese” his writing talents will be done.
Great lines! I wish I could write like that.
Gotta love Marines.
OMG! Consider that stolen without attribution!!!
My son told me everyone at his basic (Army) training was “Jewish” because those services were the only place they could get anything sweet to eat, i.e., cinnamon stix. He did, however, take up serious study of Judaism at that time and is still seen occasionally at Friday evening services at a nearby synogogue.
Great read.