Tinker hosts inaugural joint military Chaplaincy recruiting event
The Tinker Air Force Base Chapel hosted a first-ever Military Chaplaincy Exploration, or Explo, March 7, on base.
The day-in-the-life joint-service recruiting event aimed to inspire future military chaplains and strengthening partnerships between military and civilian faith communities.
This initiative brought together 90 attendees, including local pastors, seminarians, military personnel who are considering cross-training, and chaplains from across the Defense Department.
The event was a collaborative effort between Tinker AFB, Altus AFB, Sheppard AFB, and Fort Sill, with recruiters traveling from Texas, Georgia, and Oklahoma to participate. One dedicated attendee even traveled from Florida specifically for the event, underscoring the growing interest in military chaplaincy.
Lt. Gen. Hawkins Underscores the Importance of Chaplaincy
Lt. Gen. Stacey Hawkins, Air Force Sustainment Center commander, delivered the keynote address, sharing how faith and chaplains played a crucial role in his life, particularly during personal hardships and health challenges.
“For those really deeper meaning problems that we need to be able to support our Airmen, their families, and loved ones on, we uphold the military chaplaincy to do that,” said Hawkins. “The military chaplaincy is an important feature of our armed forces which has been with us throughout the history of warfare.”
Hawkins emphasized the importance of chaplains in supporting military members, providing spiritual guidance, ethical counsel, and emotional resilience in challenging times. His speech set the tone for the day, inspiring attendees to consider how they might serve in this vital capacity.
Hands-On Engagement with Chaplaincy
Beyond presentations, the event provided attendees with a hands-on experience of military chaplaincy in action. A major highlight was the flightline outreach, where participants served 260 meals to Airmen from the 552nd Air Control Wing. The engagement allowed attendees to connect directly with Airmen and witness the impact of a chaplain presence in an operational setting.
Participants had the opportunity to tour an E-3 Sentry aircraft and Security Forces Humvees, gaining insight into the environments where military chaplains serve. The interactive format helped attendees understand the multifaceted role of chaplains in providing support to service members, whether in garrison, deployed, or high-operations tempo settings.
Attendee Impact & Feedback
The event received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many attendees indicating they were much more likely to pursue a chaplaincy career and others requesting a follow-up from a recruiter.
"Hearing the personal stories of the speakers was the most valuable part for me,” said Zoey Stiffler.” Their real-life experiences gave me a much clearer picture of what chaplaincy looks like in action."
Recruiters Praise Event Success
Navy Chaplain Corps recruiter Lt. David Lockwood praised the event’s balance of inspiration and practical guidance, calling it a well-organized and impactful experience.
"The morning session featuring chaplain stories from various branches was particularly impactful, providing attendees with firsthand insights into the diverse and meaningful roles chaplains play across the services.” Lockwood said. “The balance between inspiration and concrete guidance made for an incredibly well-rounded event."
Looking Ahead
With enthusiastic participation from Air Force, Army, and Navy Chaplain Corps recruiters, this event sets the stage for future joint chaplaincy recruiting efforts. By providing a mix of real-world experiences, personal connections, and practical career insights, the Military Chaplaincy Explo showcased the essential role of chaplains in the armed forces and inspired many to consider serving in this unique and rewarding calling.
To learn more about military chaplaincy careers, visit:
🔹 Air Force Chaplain Corps
🔹 Army Chaplain Corps
🔹 Navy Chaplain Corps
