Chaplain canidates tour JBLM Published July 10, 2018 By TSgt. Bryan Hull 446th Airlift Wing JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCHORD, Wash. -- Chaplain candidates from numerous denominations descended on McChord Field as part of a tour of various bases during the Air Force Chaplain Candidate Intensive Internship (C2I2) tour, June 28 through Jul 9. After spending a day with active duty, they spent the remainder of their time touring the ‘Rainier’ Wing and observing what life is like for an Air Force Reservist.“The Air Force Chaplain Candidate program is the pipeline training program for prospective chaplains currently in seminary,” said Chap. (Lt. Col.) Pierre Allegre, 446th Airlift Wing chaplain. “The purpose of the multi-base tour is to expose the candidates to several bases and mission sets in the Air Force (Active, Guard, and Reserve), and for discernment of the chaplain candidates to see if serving as a chaplain in the Air Force is a good fit for them.”During their visit, the chaplain candidates participated in a counseling exercise with the 446th Security Forces Squadron, where our Defenders acted out different scenarios and the candidates had to provide guidance and direction depending on the situation.“The scenario I was given was about a service member coming back from a six month deployment and wanting to connect with God,” said 2nd Lt. Robert Henry, a chaplain candidate. “I thought the counseling exercise was good as it help me to work on my counseling skills and prepare me for interacting with people from all walks of life. This is a great way for me to serve, both my God and my country.”In addition to the counseling exercises, the chaplain candidates were briefed by various units around the wing on reserve military life.“The chaplain candidate program overall has been great,” said 2nd Lt. Anya Powers. “I feel so lucky because most people don’t get the opportunities to see and experience what this program offers. It will only help us in the future as chaplains.”But not all chaplain candidates are new to the Air Force. After years as a pilot in the Air Force Special Operations Command, one candidate turned in his “wings” to enroll in seminary.“It was a true calling in every sense of the word,” said 2nd Lt. Timothy Mergen, a chaplain candidate and former C-146A Wolfhound pilot. “The local parish has had a great influence in my own life and I saw an opportunity to make that change. Through the Religious Professional Deferment Program, I left active duty as a pilot to pursue the need to be a Catholic chaplain in the Air Force.”The Air Force Chaplain Candidate Program is designed for seminary and other professional religious school students to evaluate their compatibility and potential for commissioning as an Air Force Chaplain. The course is focused on experiencing what ministry in the Air Force looks like during summer tours of active duty. After entering the program chaplain candidates are commissioned as a second lieutenant. Upon graduation and ordination by their religious sponsor, chaplain candidates are eligible for reappointment as a chaplain in the Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, or Active Duty component.“Being a chaplain comes down to two core competencies - spiritual care and advising leaders,” said Chap. (Lt. Col.) Theodore Nicholson 433rd AW wing chaplain and C2I2 OIC. “Confidentiality is the key to both and allows us to tend to Airmen’s needs. We’re teaching these chaplain candidates that military members need to know that religious or not, you can always talk to a chaplain.”For more information about the chaplain candidate program and eligibility requirements, visit the Air Force Reserve Command website.