STRATEGIC PLAN UNITED STATES AIR FORCE CHAPLAIN CORPS
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STRATEGIC PLAN
CONTENTS
Introduction
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Vision & Mission Statements
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Senior RST Responsibilities
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Strategic Priorities Priority #1
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Priority #2
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Priority #3
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Priority #4
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Priority #5
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Supporting References
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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.
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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