Accession Number:

ADA463551

Title:

The Chaplain as Religious Liaison in the Global War on Terror (GWOT)

Descriptive Note:

Research paper

Corporate Author:

NAVAL WAR COLL NEWPORT RI JOINT MILITARY OPERATIONS DEPT

Personal Author(s):

• Gordon, Terry

Report Date:

2006-02-13

Pagination or Media Count:

23.0

Abstract:

Joint doctrine identifies the chaplain as a potential liaison with foreign religious officials. Many of these religious officials carry authority beyond that of church doctrine as they often wield power essential to stabilizing a given region. Chaplains need to understand this liaison role and train to it to make their expertise available to the Operational Commanders in the Global War on Terrorism GWOT. In this way, chaplains can minimize inter-religious friction while maximizing intercultural understanding during conflict and post-conflict operations. Chaplains in this liaison role can be a factor in removing the issue of religion from insurgents while caring for the needs of the indigenous population through local religious leaders and nongovernmental agencies NGOs. Chaplains can, and must be used to assist the Operational Commander in stabilizing a region where military forces are currently employed without violating the chaplains unique role as a noncombatant.

Descriptors:

• *STABILIZATION
• *LEADERSHIP
• *ADVISORY ACTIVITIES
• *RELIGION
• *INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS
• *OPERATIONS OTHER THAN WAR
• *CHAPLAINS
• LESSONS LEARNED
• MILITARY DOCTRINE
• TENSION
• ROLES(BEHAVIOR)
• VIETNAM WAR
• NONCOMBATANT
• INDIGENOUS POPULATION
• COUNTERINSURGENCY
• CONFLICT
• PUBLIC RELATIONS
• MILITARY COMMANDERS
• CIVIL AFFAIRS
• COUNTERTERRORISM
• POSTWAR OPERATIONS

Subject Categories:

• Humanities and History
• Personnel Management and Labor Relations
• Military Forces and Organizations
• Unconventional Warfare

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE