Chaplain candidates start 35-day tour of bases

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ROBINS AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Dozens of Air Force chaplain candidates came here July 13 to learn about Robins AFB and the different Air Force missions it supports.

Robins AFB was the first stop on a 35-day tour of five Air Force bases for nearly 30 chaplain candidates and four chaplains and four chaplain assistants.

The Air Force Chaplain Candidate Internship Program tour will give the candidates the opportunity to see and experience firsthand Air Force missions and the ministries that tend to the spiritual needs of Airmen.

During this orientation program, the interns will take part in a variety of activities to better understand the Air Force way of life. These activities include site mission tours, corporate worship, group fitness training, and team building.

People enter the chaplaincy for a variety reasons, and the program is designed to help them find focus.

"I felt it was my purpose and that it's what God wanted me to do," said Chaplain (Maj.) Pierre Allegre. "I am very patriotic, and I respect military people a lot. When I realized the Air Force Reserve chaplain program was available, I immediately got involved. I get paid for doing something I love to do!"

The chaplains and chaplain candidates toured several areas on Robins AFB. The first stop was the F-15 wing shop. Russell Jones, F-15 deputy flight chief, hosted the tour. At the wing shop, they saw the water jet cutter and the fluid cell press.

"I like this tour...," said chaplain candidate 2nd Lt. Alan Findley. "I think this tour will be better than the other ones."

The group then visited the 339th Flight Test Squadron, where they were greeted by Robert Harris, deputy flight chief, who told them about the flight controls in the cockpit.

After viewing the F-15 static display, the chaplain candidates saw how military working dogs earn their keep.

"I love stuff like this," said 2nd Lt. Regina Davis.

After the K-9 demonstration, the candidates went to the Headquarters Air Force Reserve Commend Conference Room, where they received a warm welcome from Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner, AFRC commander.

As the day began to wind down, the candidates visited their last stop on the tour - an E-8C static display. They boarded the plane and saw the different jobs the Airmen perform on the airborne command and control aircraft.

Chaplain candidates have many questions they want answered before they become Air Force chaplains, and the program is helping them find those answers. From Robins AFB, they travel to Patrick AFB, Fla.; Charleston AFB, S.C.; Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas; and Lackland AFB, Texas.

The program organizers are investing their time in hopes the candidates gain a better understanding of the different aspects of ministry in the Air Force and as a result will be better prepared to minister to the men and women of the Air Force.