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"Religion is central to identity and gives meaning to people's lives. It also is central to much of the strife taking place in the world today. Almost anywhere one turns . . . one finds a religious dimension to hostilities . . . . We neglect religion at our peril."

Douglas M. Johnston, US Naval Institute

“With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan. . . .”

Lincoln, March 4, 1865, Inaugural Address

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Chaplains like Samuel Stone (1602-1663) conducted worship, led prayers, and offered pastoral care to the sick and wounded.

From the beginning of the Guard’s nearly 400 year history there have been clergy Guardsmen.

Today hundreds of Army and Air National Guard chaplains and chaplain assistants continue to provide spiritual strength for our Soldiers, Airmen, and their families.

A HISTORY OF PROVIDING SPIRITUAL CARE

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The Chief of the National Guard Bureau's Message

“The National Guard Chaplaincy is vital to the spiritual

health and well-being of National Guard members and

their families at home and overseas. We depend on our

Chaplaincy to provide moral and ethical direction,

especially in times of rapid change and uncertainty.”

CRAIG R. MCKINLEY General, USAFChief, National Guard Bureau

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Message from the Director, Office of the Chaplain, NGB

“Strategic Direction 2010-2012 is not just today’s theme or

campaign plan. It is the beginning of a National Guard

Chaplaincy Strategic Management Process that will ensure

your Chaplaincy’s commitment to deliver ministry not only

today and tomorrow, but in the uncharted future.”

JOHN B. ELLINGTON, JR.Major General, USAFDirector, Office of the Chaplain, National Guard Bureau

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"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . . ."

Amendment I, United States Constitution

"The Soldier's heart, the Soldier's spirit, the Soldier's soul, are everything. Unless the Soldier's soul sustains him, he cannot be relied on and will fail himself and his Commander and his Country in the end . . . ."

General of the Army George C. Marshall

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THE NATIONAL GUARD’S NEW BEGINNING

NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT 2008

“On January 28, 2008, the President signed into law the National

Defense Authorization Act . . . . This law contains the most significant and sweeping reforms in the administration and

organization of the National Guard Bureau, and indeed the

National Guard itself, since the National Defense Act of 1916.”

From The National Guard Posture Statement 2008

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OUR VISION

SPIRITUAL STRENGTH WHEREVER NEEDED – WHENEVER REQUIRED

WE WILL . . .

• Provide for the exercise of religious freedom.

• Build spiritual strength through ministry.

• Facilitate integrated religious support in domestic operations.

• Support the full range of federal missions.

• Work collaboratively with faith based and interagency organizations.

• Always nurture the living, care for the dying and honor the fallen.

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OUR MISSION

PROVIDE RELIGIOUS SUPPORT TO STRENGTHEN SOLDIERS, AIRMEN, AND THEIR

FAMILIES, WHO DEFEND THE HOMELAND HERE AND ABROAD.

"God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed a conviction that these liberties are the gift of God?”

Thomas Jefferson, 1781

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OUR VALUES

SPIRITUALITYThe quest to know God, oneself, and life’s meaning.

COMPASSIONLove that sees beyond the surface and embraces our common humanity.

DIVERSITYThe worth and right of persons to be cared for with dignity and respect.

COURAGESpiritual and moral strength to accomplish God’s calling.

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NATIONAL GUARD PRIORITY #1HOMELAND DEFENSE

WE WILL . . .

Strengthen National Guard Soldiers, Airmen, their families, and authorized civilians with vital religious support and mission ready chaplains and chaplain assistants.

KEY RESULT . . .

A seamless National Guard Chaplaincy, ensuring critical operations are accomplished anywhere, anytime in the United States, its territories, and overseas.

CHAPLAINCY PRIORITY. . .

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NATIONAL GUARD PRIORITY #2 SUPPORT WARFIGHTERS

WE WILL …

Provide religious observances, spiritual care, and ministry programs in all operational settings, bringing hope, offering compassion, and instilling resilience in the National Guard family.

KEY RESULT . . .

National Guardsmen and families spiritually strengthened to meet foreign and domestic Homeland Defense operations.

CHAPLAINCY PRIORITY. . .

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NATIONAL GUARD PRIORITY #3PROVIDE DOMESTIC RESPONSE

WE WILL . . .

Refine religious support capabilities to provide advanced application of Chaplaincy resources to domestic defense and civil support missions.

KEY RESULT . . .

Enhanced domestic operations that safeguard the nation and advance community resilience.

CHAPLAINCY PRIORITY. . .

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NATIONAL GUARD PRIORITY #4 ADAPT AND TRANSFORM

WE WILL . . .

Adapt a transformed Chaplaincy for current and future missions by implementing organizational and strategic processes consistent with the demands of often unpredictable operational challenges.

KEY RESULT . . .

A transformed National Guard Chaplaincy that is adaptable to the complex and challenging missions of an operational force.

CHAPLAINCY PRIORITY. . .

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THE NATIONAL GUARD CHAPLAINCY OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES

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THE NATIONAL GUARD CHAPLAINCY OPERATIONAL CHALLENGES

• Transforming into an operational force

• Facilitating unity of effort with Chaplaincy providers

• Ensuring freedom of religious expression

• Collaborating to enhance response to catastrophic events

• Developing strategic regulatory policies and plans

• Sustaining the spiritual well-being of Chaplaincy personnel

• Making a positive difference for Guardsmen and families

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THE NATIONAL GUARD CHAPLAINCY2012 & BEYOND

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THE NATIONAL GUARD CHAPLAINCY2012 & BEYOND

• Will continue to provide for the constitutionally guaranteed free exercise of religion for military members.

• Will assume increased responsibilities in federal and state, and foreign and domestic defense, security, and emergency response operations.

• Will be indispensable participants in conducting religious support operations in future civil support missions.

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• Will increasingly integrate with blended DoD forces in joint combat, security, and emergency response operations.

• Will provide religious support in asymmetric and conventional operations often involving non-traditional enemies.

• Will function in a complex mix of state, federal, and civilian forces that requires a heightened degree of coordination and cooperation.

THE NATIONAL GUARD CHAPLAINCY2012 & BEYOND

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A SACRED TRUST

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A SACRED TRUST

OUR CALLING. We will always provide for the religious needs and spiritual well-being of all we are assigned to serve.

OUR COLLEAGUES. We will always treat our colleagues, as we do all others, with dignity, respect, integrity, and trust.

OUR COUNTRY. We will always be unwavering in our commitment to the security, defense, and safety of our homeland.

OUR COMMUNITY. We will always honor our communities and the families from which we come and to which we return.

OUR COMMITMENT. We will always plan and perform religious operations in support of National Guard mission priorities.

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THE NATIONAL GUARD CHAPLAINCY

SPIRITUAL STRENGTH FOR OUR SOLDIERS, AIRMEN, AND THEIR FAMILIES WHEREVER

NEEDED-WHENEVER REQUIRED.