Chaplain Candidate

Greetings Team,

December is the climax of a joyful season for many, but also the month when we get ready to execute our New Year's resolutions. January 1st is the day most people begin their New Year's resolutions, but it is December that many line up for the race ahead of them. With those thoughts in mind, I pondered two things: the catalyst of the race I run in life, Christ. Second, the Soldier’s Creed, which is one of the creeds I use to ground myself in the hardships of being a Soldier.

All of us must complete at least one AFT annually, where we get behind the line and run the beloved two miles after four other strenuous events. The catalyst for our perseverance varies. For some, witnessing others running ahead and alongside them is the motivation to keep going. The Soldier's Creed begins with these two declarative statements:

I am an American Soldier. I am a warrior and a member of a team.

Others run because they fix their minds on the “why” that is bigger than them. This can be their faith in God, self, their calling, their career, their family, or their service. The Soldier's Creed States:

I serve the people of the United States and live the Army Values. I will always place the mission first. I will never accept defeat. I will never quit. I will never leave a fallen comrade.

For others, their ability to do well comes from a life submitted to disciplined training and routines of daily exercising and healthy eating. The Creed also states:

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills. I always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself. I am an expert and I am a professional.

Finally, selfless sacrifice is another catalyst that many initiate to run the race. Military service is a voluntary service. Men, women, and their families commit their time, some their lives to serve and fulfil the call. In doing so, Service members answer the call to obey the rules, ethics, and guidance of the commands they are embedded in. The final stanza of the Soldier’s Creed states:

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy, the enemies of the United States of America in close combat. I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life. I am an American Soldier.

As a Christian Chaplain Candidate serving Soldiers, I am encouraged to run my race and run alongside those who are committed to running in the Army and Air National Guard in 2026! As I get ready to run, I keep in mind the catalyst of this reflection, Hebrews 12:1-2. From it I have extracted these practical suggestions as ways to encourage others. These reminders are useful for people of all faith traditions and are inclusive of those who do not subscribe to any:

1)Be encouraged by your peers and those who have run the race you're running now

2) Set aside the things that will set you back

3) Don’t give up or give in to the pains or hardships along the way

4) Daily, keep your catalyst in the forefront of your mind

Pro Deo Et Patria 2026! Hooah!!

-1LT Shineeka Williams