2013 AF Chaplain Corps Strategic Plan

Page 1

STRATEGIC PLAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN CORPS

1



STRATEGIC PLAN

CONTENTS

Introduction

2

Vision & Mission Statements

5

Senior RST Responsibilities

7

Strategic Priorities Priority #1

9

Priority #2

11

Priority #3

13

Priority #4

15

Priority #5

17

Supporting References

20


AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN CORPS

A smaller but superb Air Force Chaplain Corps will continue to provide spiritual care and ensure the free exercise of religion.


STRATEGIC PLAN

PIctured from left: Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley

INTRODUCTION

The Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force announced “Air Force Priorities for a New Strategy with Constrained Budgets” in February 2012. The new strategy describes a smaller but superb force “that maintains the agility, flexibility, and readiness to engage a full range of contingencies and threats.” A smaller but superb Air Force Chaplain Corps will continue to provide spiritual care and ensure the free exercise of religion for Airmen and their families, in our chapel communities and military work centers, at home and deployed.

2


AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN CORPS

Since we have been in combat operations for two decades, our resources, both human and material, have been tested. Self-defeating behaviors and the tragedy of suicide persist in our military community. These challenges present an opportunity for the Chaplain Corps to step forward as catalysts for hope, elevating the resilience of our Airmen and their loved ones in a demanding, transitional time. Diminishing budgets and anticipated personnel reductions of 9,900 Active, Guard, and Reserve Airmen, on top of the reduction of 48,000 personnel since 2004, make it necessary for the Air Force to divest some legacy systems and make changes in its way of doing business.

As the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Air Force identify divestitures and seek to maximize operational flexibility and minimize costs, the Chaplain Corps must focus squarely on spiritual care and religious freedom for our Airmen and Joint Warriors and their families, both in sacred spaces and the military units where they work. Legacy ministries and programs that do not conform to this mission are no longer sustainable. For this reason, it is essential for our Religious Support Teams at every level, from Headquarters Air Force to the wings, develop effective annual ministry plans in coordination with their commanders.


STRATEGIC PLAN

Diminishing budgets and anticipated personnel reductions...make it necessary for the Air Force to divest some legacy systems and make changes in its way of doing business.

Although there are never guarantees of how much funding or how many personnel will characterize our Corps in years to come, we can be certain that commanders will continue to welcome chaplains and chaplain assistants who care for their Airmen and support their First Amendment right to the free exercise of religion into their military units. Our Chaplain Corps’ commitment to America’s Airmen is also certain. Wherever Airmen serve we remain their Office of Primary Responsibility for hope and resilience.

4


AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN CORPS

Providing Hope and Resilience VISION Glorifying God, Serving Airmen, Pursuing Excellence

MISSION Provide spiritual care and ensure all Airmen and their families have opportunities to exercise their constitutional right to the free exercise of religion


STRATEGIC PLAN

CORE CAPABILITIES

Advise Leadership: inform Air Force leaders on matters related to religious, spiritual, ethical, moral, and morale concerns and advocate for the religious and spiritual needs of Airmen and their families

Spiritual Care – meeting the diverse spiritual needs of Airmen and their families

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

1. Sharpen our focus on Warrior Care 2. Strengthen our advisement to leadership 3. Resource the Chaplain Corps with requirements-based advocacy 4. Maximize our strategic communication 5. Enhance our care for Chaplain Corps caregivers

6


AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN CORPS

The Religious Support Team Shaping the environment of spiritual care


STRATEGIC PLAN

SENIOR RST RESPONSIBILITIES Wing Chaplains and Superintendents/Non-commissioned Officers in Charge of Chapel Operations form senior Religious Support Teams (RSTs). They are primarily responsible for guiding their teams to develop, implement, and sustain an annual ministry plan. To accomplish this, senior RSTs will:

• Model the RST. • Discuss this document with their teams. • Identify the commander’s intent. Meet with wing/base leadership to identify the commander’s priorities and ensure the Chaplain Corps teams are meeting his/her expectations in delivering spiritual care to Airmen and their families. • Develop

an

annual

ministry

plan.

Consider

key

responsibilities and assign lead roles in the execution of the plan using the RST model. • Keep their teams focused on the strategic priorities listed above and their local ministry plan. • Lead their teams in initiatives that will shape the environment for spiritual care. • Communicate in words and actions that strategic priorities are a way of life, not just a program.

8


AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN CORPS

Priority 1 Sharpen Our Focus on Warrior Care


STRATEGIC PLAN

Religious Support Teams (RSTs) focus on caring for warriors and their families. This care most often centers on purposeful involvement in operational and training organizations, counseling, meaningful support throughout the deployment cycle, as well as providing opportunities to worship and participate in a faith community. Whether at home base or deployed, in a sacred space or a workplace, in a hospital or hangar, RSTs bring hope to Airmen and their families, helping them to be spiritually fit and resilient.

OBJECTIVES

1.1

Institutionalize the RST as the primary vehicle for

the delivery of spiritual care.

1.2

Modernize and re-energize the ministry planning

process. 1.3

Raise the level of spiritual care for Airmen and their

families and mitigate the impact of Chaplain Corps

manning shortfalls by building partnerships,

leveraging technology and empowering laity.

10


AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN CORPS

Priority 2 Strengthen Our Advisement to Leadership


STRATEGIC PLAN

Chaplain Corps members serve as the principal advisors to Air Force leaders at all levels, whether officer, enlisted, or civilian, regarding the free exercise of religion, the welfare of Airmen and their families, and the impact of religion on military operations. In order to fulfill our role as the principal advisors in these matters, the Chaplain Corps will accomplish the following:

OBJECTIVES

2.1

Advise leaders at the tactical, operational, and

strategic levels in managing religious affairs

within the leaders’ scope of responsibility.

2.2

Advise leaders on the morale and spiritual welfare of

Airmen and their families within the leaders’ scope of

responsibility. 2.3

Advise commanders on resource requirements to

provide warrior care and care for Chaplain

Corps caregivers.

12


AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN CORPS

Priority 3 Resource the Chaplain Corps with Requirements-Based Advocacy


STRATEGIC PLAN

Identifying requirements to execute mission essential tasks and successfully advocating those requirements through the corporate process are two keys to resourcing the Chaplain Corps in these fiscally constrained times. Chaplain Corps requirements arise from carefully considered mission plans, deployment taskings, Air Force Instructions, and other guidance. Application of Air Force Common Output Level Standards and accurate reporting are essential factors in the process of identifying requirements. The resources needed to meet mission requirements may include manpower, funds, facilities, materials, education, and training. In this regard, the Chaplain Corps will:

OBJECTIVES

3.1

Implement Air Force Common Output level standards

(AF COLS).

3.2

Equip Chaplain Corps members with a web-based

reporting system.

3.3

Advocate the Chaplain Corps’ manpower, budget,

training, and MILCON requirements.

3.4

Recapitalize chapel infrastructure.

14


AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN CORPS

Priority 4 Maximize Our Strategic Communication


STRATEGIC PLAN

Successful enterprises employ strategic communication models that are purposeful and well-developed, using multiple venues and methods to share information with and receive information from tactical, operational, and strategic partners and other stakeholders. In this regard the Chaplain Corps will:

OBJECTIVES

4.1

Leverage technology to improve strategic

communication at all levels.

4.2

Develop and implement a Strategic Communication

Plan in FY13.

16


AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN CORPS

Priority 5 Enhance our Care for Chaplain Corps Caregivers


STRATEGIC PLAN

Caregivers are particularly vulnerable to physical and emotional harm from the stress of trauma experienced personally and/or vicariously. Extended periods of intense care for others can leave caregivers weary and wounded. Providing opportunities for post-traumatic growth and renewal can help us maintain a healthy Corps of caregivers ready to do our mission at home station or deployed. In addition, providing tools that empower chaplains and chaplain assistants to understand career progression and make wise career choices will boost morale and provide a greater sense of career satisfaction. Care for Chaplain Corps caregivers is not a program; it is a way of life.

OBJECTIVES

5.1

Provide opportunities for personal growth that

strengthen resiliency.

5.2

Create a self-care and team-care plan, to include

trauma care and reintegration.

5.3

Identify resources and funding to ensure appropriate

care for Chaplain Corps caregivers.

5.4

Empower Chaplain Corps members to better manage

their careers and guide their development.

18


AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN CORPS


STRATEGIC PLAN

SUPPORTING REFERENCES • Title 10, United States Code, Armed Forces • DoDI 1300.17, Accommodation of Religious Practices Within the Military Services • DoDD 1304.19, Appointment of Chaplains for the Military Departments • AFI 52-101, Planning and Organizing • AFI 52-105, V1 Chaplain Service Resourcing, Appropriated Funds • AFI 52-105 V2, Chapel Tithes and Offerings Fund (CTOF) • AFPD 52-1, Chaplain Service • JP 1-05, Religious Affairs in Joint Operations • AFDD 2-4 Combat Support • Air Force War and Mobilization Plan (WMP) I, Annex X, Chaplain

20



Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.