Next of Kin Notification Practices Past, Present, and Future

This article traces the development of Army next of kin (NOK) notification practices from informal letters during the Revolutionary War to the formal, compassionate in-person protocols of today. Highlighting the critical role of Chaplains in these moments of loss, it also raises questions about the future sustainability of such practices under the mass casualty conditions anticipated in large-scale combat operations (LSCO).

A wide view of Arlington National Cemetery during autumn, with rows of white headstones stretching across green grass covered in fallen leaves, and a large tree with orange foliage in the foreground

Civil War era military camp with tents and buildings, titled about Rev. Henry McNeal Turner and Black Chaplaincy

Read Time: < 8 mins

“Right, Equity, and Justice”: Rev. Henry McNeal Turner and Black Chaplaincy in the Civil War Era

This scholarly article examines the role of Rev. Henry McNeal Turner, the first African American chaplain in the Union Army during the Civil War. Dr. Angelica explores how Turner's service with the First Regiment of United States Colored Troops from 1863-1865 combined spiritual ministry with education, political advocacy, and civil rights activism.

By Dr. Kathryn Angelica, Purdue University Fort Wayne

Catholic chaplains conducting Mass with portable religious equipment at US Army Chaplain School, 1942

Read Time: < 6 mins

US Military Chaplains and Their Equipment in the World Wars

An exploration of the essential role of equipment in the duties and identity of U.S. military chaplains during World War I and World War II. The article details how chaplains’ kits, transportation challenges, and the involvement of civilian organizations shaped their ability to minister in the field across Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish traditions.

By Sarah C. Luginbill

A formation of small autonomous drones flies against the backdrop of an unknown city skyline and the setting sun

Read Time: < 15 mins

Sacred Speech in Future Armed Conflict

As warfare evolves with AI, drones, and disinformation, the chaplain's role must adapt. The Conversational Model emphasizes sacred speech as essential to the human domain, offering resilience, meaning, and spiritual care in future decentralized, chaotic combat environments.

By Chaplain (Major) Brandon Denning and Chaplain (Major) Daniel Werho

Read Time: < 5 mins

Creativity, Theology, and Posttraumatic Growth

Chaplain Soojin Chang reviews Dustin Risser's book exploring posttraumatic growth through creativity, examining how individual expression, community support, and theological perspectives can help trauma survivors find meaning and healing by creating something transformative out of chaotic experiences.

Reviewed by Chaplain (Major) Soojin Chang

Through the AI Looking Glass
Adam Tietje explores the biases in AI-generated imagery, using DALL∙E’s depiction of military chaplains as an example. He discusses AI’s reflection of societal assumptions, its implications for the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps, and connects it to broader discussions on gender and technology’s impact on religious and military contexts.

By Adam Tietje
Representing the Moral Warrior: The Just War Tradition, Military Chaplains, and Moral Leadership
Theologian Daniel M. Bell Jr. argues military chaplains should move beyond rule-based ethics to champion a virtue-centered just war tradition, modeling moral character and leading Soldiers to internalize ethics as core warrior identity.

By Daniel M. Bell Jr.
Legal Religion: Judicial Discourse and the Historical Underpinnings of the First Amendment
Chaplain (Maj.) Patrick Stefan argues that legally protected religion under the First Amendment requires belief in a transcendent reality, drawing on Kennedy v. Bremerton and the Protestant-shaped historical context the Framers used to define religion.

By Chaplain (Major) Patrick G. Stefan
Force Management and Organizational Capability in Joint Base Religious Support
MSG Eric Tysinger argues that joint base command relationships isolate Army Chaplain Corps personnel from their Soldiers, and recommends realigning garrison chaplains under the Army Senior Commander — modeled after the JAG Corps — to restore spiritual readiness.

By Master Sergeant Eric Tysinger
Chaplain Pursuit of “Buffered Selves”: Shepherding the Tough in Spirit
Chaplain (Maj.) Luke Heibel describes the 173rd Airborne Brigade's "Tough in Spirit" program, using shared outdoor struggle, quality content, and humanizing process to reach secularized "buffered selves" and build Soldier spiritual readiness.

By Chaplain (Major) Luke Heibel
Leading in Gaps: Intentional Leadership During Times of Military Assignment Transitions
Chaplains (Maj.) Peter Robinson and (Capt.) Marcus Marroquin present a six-phase transition framework — from preparation through sustaining — to help Army chaplains integrate intentionally into new units and minimize gaps in pastoral care.

By Chaplain (Major) Peter Robinson and Chaplain (Captain) Marcus A. Marroquin
The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the Twenty-first Century’s Greatest Dilemma
The Coming Wave" book review examines how AI and emerging technologies will transform civilization, presenting both opportunities and threats. The author explores historical context, ethical implications, and the delicate balance between technological advancement and security, emphasizing the urgent need for prepared leadership in this inevitable technological revolution.

Reviewed by Mr. William Hubick Vance
Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents—and What They Mean for America’s Future
A critical review of Twenge's analysis of generational differences in America, examining how technology, individualism, and delayed maturation create distinct worldviews across six generations, with implications for religion, social cohesion, and military service.

Reviewed by Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Sean A. Levine
Combat Trauma: Imaginaries of War and Citizenship in post-9/11 America
This review of Combat Trauma: Imaginaries of War and Citizenship in post-9/11 America by Nadia Abu El-Haj examines how the U.S. military and society understand combat trauma. It critiques the evolution of PTSD discourse, moral injury, and the interplay between veteran care, war politics, and national identity.

Reviewed by Dr. Joshua Morris
The Great Dechurching: Who’s Leaving, Why are They Going, and What Will It Take to Bring Them Back?
Major Jessica Dawson critiques the book's exploration of the reasons behind the exodus from Christian churches, highlighting the authors' focus on survey results while lacking in-depth theological engagement and practical solutions for attracting dechurched individuals back. She notes that while the authors acknowledge issues like misogyny and political polarization that drive people away, they fail to provide a clear roadmap for reconciliation or meaningful dialogue to bridge the divides.

Reviewed by Major Jessica Dawson