NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev., — What does spirituality mean to you? Some people are under the impression that a person must be religious in order to be spiritual. It is said that people perish for lack of knowledge, but we are all connected with a common spiritual thread that is contagious and connects compatible people to do extraordinary things.
For years, military members have encountered tremendous stress and challenges due to the high operational tempo and sudden calls to deploy across the world. Our zeal and fortitude to fly, fight, win and defend our country make us resilient. Spirituality is the oasis for synergy and resiliency.
I hear people asking, “What is spirituality?” That’s a good question. Spirituality is connecting with the essence of one’s soul, or the fibers of one’s existence. Spirituality is connecting with something greater than you. Spirituality relates to all people regardless of color, creed, ethnicity, nationality or rank. Spirituality wellness is taking care of people the way you would want to be treated; it is like the glue that holds all the pages together in a book. It is what illuminates your purpose in life. Spirituality is personal and different for every person. Spiritual wellness is what encourages you to take the next step in life.
You don’t have to be religious in order to be spiritual. Contrary to popular belief, I believe that spiritual wellness supersedes any organized religious concept. When you embrace the spiritual pillar you are not necessarily embracing any religious group; only the individual can embrace that which he or she finds spiritual strength. There is propensity to be spiritual before being religious. A particular religion can express in its doctrine who can become a member of the religious faith group, which is acceptable for that group. We chose what religion we want to serve. Spirituality resides in everyone’s soul waiting for the opportunity to encourage the weak and challenge the strong.
The U.S. Air Force is well known for taking care of people. Spirituality is a common denominator that runs through every branch of service. The spiritual pillar gives the chaplain corps the opportunity to further embrace and illuminate the main arteries that pump life into the military community. The chaplain corps is striving to mold all Airmen into a “total warrior” by galvanizing their faith with the mission, increasing productivity in our service members and thus creating a total force. The chaplain corps does not attempt to change a person’s faith, but rather allow the person’s faith to transform them to a more resilient and mission ready individual.
When I was deployed to Joint Base Balad, I worked in the JBB theater hospital. I saw spirituality flowing through the veins of those who believed in God, and those who did not believe in God. Spirituality is not generated or inspired by our denominational preference or religion – but inspired by our love for humankind. In Balad, human beings saw other human beings wounded and dying, and they felt compelled to act not only out of obligation, but inspiration from a source greater themselves. U.S. Airmen, Soldiers, Marines and Sailors were inspired to donate blood and volunteer countless hours helping doctors, nurses and medical technicians care for friends and foes. I witnessed the spirit of adoration, camaraderie and purpose that chained fervent hearts together for one common goal—to save lives. Retired Maj. Gen. Cecil Richardson, U.S. Air Force chief of chaplains said “Spiritual wellness is that something within us that keeps us going, that gives us focus in life. It gives us purpose and meaning.”
In conclusion, it is important for military leaders to use chaplains and chaplain assistants more in vital military settings, thus making space for our Airmen’s dialogue about their spirituality. Nicolas Berdyaev, a Russian philosopher, stated, “Spirituality is the highest quality we can discern in our judgment of men. Every man has a soul – but his spirituality may remain undiscovered or suppressed. Spirit is the highest quality of the soul, a symbol of freedom from power of the world.”
As we move into 2016, we will embark upon new challenges and experiences, so let us connect with people from different creeds, nationalities, religious faith groups, and races, connecting and empowering them to move forward in adversity and prosperity – that’s spirituality. Gen. George C Marshall stated, “I look upon the spiritual life of the soldier as even more important than his equipment…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 upon and will fail himself and his country in the end.”