(static hissing) - Roger 4807, approaching Runway 7 Bravo. - The Air Force has announced the creation of a new information operations technical training school. - First demand, simply must arm our Airmen to out-think, out-perform, out-partner, out-innovate any potential adversary. - Air Force basic military training has an updated curriculum with a new focus on readiness and lethality. - The first command. The Air Force Starts Here. - Hello, everybody. And welcome to the Air Force Starts Here podcast. I'm your host for this professional development podcast, Captain Kayshell Trudel from the AETC public affairs team. As you know, this podcast is dedicated to bringing Total Force and big A Airmen tips, tricks, and lessons learned from the recruiting training and education worlds. In this podcast, we are discussing the legacy of Four Chaplains Day, commemorated each year on February 3rd, and how today, our Chaplain Corps remains dedicated to the resiliency of all Airmen. If you don't know the Four Chaplains Day story, it is celebrated each year in honor of, you guessed it, four heroic chaplains who gave their lives in service to others. On February 3rd, 1943, the SS Dorchester, a passenger steamship was struck by a German submarine torpedo, 150 miles off the shore of Greenland. 900 service members, merchants, and civilian workers were onboard the ship and it began to sink quickly. Four US Army chaplains on board, Lieutenant George Fox, Lieutenant Alexander Goode, Lieutenant John Washington and Lieutenant Clark Poling were able to keep calm in the chaos. They showcased bravery and selflessness in their acts before perishing with the ship. The chaplains were of diverse backgrounds, but minister, rabbi, and priest alike, these four men cared for others more than anyone could have thought possible. They gave hope to the 233 survivors who awaited rescue. Today, our Chaplains Corp remains committed to the wellbeing of Airman from all faith backgrounds, and of no faith background at all. 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, our chaplains core and religious affairs Airmen are here as a resource and offer hope to all Airmen, no matter their needs or their stage of life. Awesome! Welcome, listeners. We're so glad to have you here today, February 3rd, a date that you might not know to be something that we celebrate here, but we've got three people here with us today, two chaplains, one from the 58 Special Operations Wing at Kirkland in New Mexico. And then one of the 336 training group there at Fairchild, part of the SERE program. And then we've also got a family member of someone who was actually part of the historical moment that we're going to be talking about tonight. So, thanks for joining us. And without further ado we're going to tell you a little bit about why February 3rd matters. So, Ms. Lynn Chickering is here with us today. Ma'am, what are we gonna be talking about? - We are going to be talking about the sinking of the USAT Dorchester of the coast of Greenland on February 3rd, 1943. And how four chaplains that were onboard that ship gave up their life vest and gave up their lives at the same time. There were 904 people on board that ship. There were 230 survivors and that's what we're going to be talking about today. - Wow. Okay. Okay, so you said back in 1943. That was a long time ago. Why is this not more well-known, do you think? - It was very well known up until, like, the mid fifties or late sixties. And as I think that generation died off, the story being passed on didn't keep being passed on. So it's not necessarily in the history books. It's just not a very well-known story unless you're within the Chaplain Corp of the United States Military. - Well, luckily we've got two chaplains here with us, so I'll go ahead and let you guys tell us a little bit about what the story means to you. What Four Chaplains, how you learned about it, and why you think it's important that we continue to celebrate this every February 3rd. - Chaplain Sushia here. I am stationed at Fairchild, up at the 330 training group with the US Air Force SERE school. The story really first came on my radar when I went through tech school and a basic chaplains course, then we were just sort of told the story about what each chaplain did on the Dorchester. Their faith background was of particular interest because you had a rabbi, you had a Catholic priest, and then two Protestant ministers. So they had different worldviews, different perspectives, and yet they all still chose to help people the same way. It was really kind of a driving point for why I became a chaplain, really. To help people, to reach across those worldviews regardless of your belief system and to really help people through the dark parts of life. It was kind of one of those moments where I sat back one day and thought, wow, this is exactly what I signed up for. And it's really interesting that today, the Chaplain Corps motto or vision, so to speak, is to care for Airmen more than anyone thinks possible. And I think that that story really epitomizes is that statement. So I think it fits beautifully with where we are as a Chaplain Corps right now as well. - Yeah, when it comes to Four Chaplains giving up their life vests and their lives during the sinking of a ship that was hit by torpedo, I mean, really, that's living to that vision and that statement that just said. So, I can't believe that this is something that actually inspired you to be a chaplain. So that's really, really cool. How about you, Chaplain Barner? - Yeah, so, Chaplain Brett Barner here at Kirkland with the 58th cell. With the Four Chaplains, I think chaplains in general, we exist in the antithesis of what we are supposed to discuss publicly today, religion and politics, and yet, here we are. And this idea that of being able to work together through setting aside dogma, setting aside personal opinions to come together and work with one cause in mind. And that is really set aside for through mutual respect for one another, and something that's becoming so rare today, but that mutual respect that we have with the chapel team, working together in one vision, like Mark was saying, to care for Airman more than anyone thought possible that really is the idea, I guess, of what the Four Chaplains mean for the Chaplain Corps. They put it into action. - Ms. Chickering, how does this make you feel? I know that you've got some family personal ties to the story of the sinking of the Dorchester and hearing these two chaplain stories and and what it means to them, how does it make you feel? - That's awesome. When I first heard the story and first became involved with the Four Chaplains Memorial foundation, I had no clue what military chaplains did. My experience to chaplains were in a hospital setting, and what these guys do are very, very different and it totally inspiring to hear their stories and their love of their fellow soldier, Airmen, or seamen, It's just incredible to listen to them. And the fact that they put so much stock in what those Four Chaplains did is just amazing to me. And just, the self of service, the courage, and the strength that it takes to do their job, not just then, but today, it's just amazing. - Yeah, I couldn't agree with you more. I really appreciate all that our Chaplain Corps does. And like you said, you didn't really have any frame of reference for what chaplains do these days. So can either of you guys share what it is that the Chaplain Corps does? - I know that, Chapman Barner, you've got a little bit of Army background and Air Force, so yeah. Let's speak to both sides. What kind of resources do you provide? What is it that Airmen, and military members, and families can really look to you guys for? - Yeah, so my background comes, I originally started out in my chaplain journey in the Army deploying multiple infantry, special operations, and then just switched over to the Air Force here in 2019. All jokes aside, I love being able to work with all service members and their families, soldiers, Airmen, sailors, Marines, all of them. It's just incredible to see what they do on the day to day and to be there and support. One of the things that we do as chaplains is focusing on our resiliency efforts. And I know in terms of the chaplain mission set from the Air Force is that inspiring readiness, and being ready and being prepared. A lot of times, taking care of people's spiritual needs is a unique challenge, because the nature of spirituality is found in the identity and individuality of every person, right? And to me, spirituality drives beyond the labels we often give ourselves. And so, it's the most you that you are. And so we have to take care of each person, and it's best served when we're able to be there with others, to be there where people are and to meet them where they are at. And that's where the Chaplain Corps come in. We're able to take care of you, and that spirituality of you being the most you that you are taking care of you and and being able to provide you with resources, tools, and opportunities for you to take care of yourself as well. When we look at the complete Airman fitness model, the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual pillars, a little biased, but I feel that spirituality piece is such an important part because it's that glue or that sinew that ties it all together, that works at all together. And they all kind of function along those same properties, but taking care of our spirituality is such an incredibly important element that often we don't have that intentionality behind. I know Marcus really once said that "the soul becomes dyed "with the color of its thoughts." And that goes to show that the interconnectivity of how we think ends up becoming who we are it's our identity. And so that's where we ended up coming into play. We're in the people business. We take care of people. And while we have, we also have a unique opportunity, too, and having a hundred percent confidentiality in providing that, I think Chaplin Sushia has had a great description of it, in being describing it as, "The safest place in the DOD is talking to a chaplain." It's the only office that has that level of confidentiality. And we treat it with the utmost respect, providing an empathetic ear to listen, providing guidance, advice, giving resources. And I know a lot of times chaplains are viewed as that box in the wall that says break in case of emergency, which is partially true. We're trained in crisis counseling. But it's also great when we're able to take the better approach and work with people in the preventative care before the emergency. And so a lot of times life will throw us curve balls that we don't quite expect. I think 2020 is a good example of that. And when we have that, and things are taken away from us or our normal ways that we take care of ourselves are no longer there. How do you take care of yourself going forward? And that's where chaplain can come in as kind of like a spiritual fitness coach to guide, to mentor, and to provide resources for others. - That's awesome. I think one question that some of our listeners might have is what if I come from a different faith background than the chaplain that works at my unit? Or, my spiritual background is, different than someone that is close to me? So how do they go about that? Can they still feel comfortable coming to you guys? - Yes, Chaplain Sushia here. Absolutely. That's one of the beautiful things that a chaplain offers, is a lot of times, I think, unfortunately, we stereotype chaplains as to think that you have to have a religious worldview to go talk to one, but it doesn't matter what faith background you have, or if you have no faith background at all. We step into that space and we're willing to to help you through whatever it is that you're dealing with. And we may not be professionally trained in your particular faith background, but if you need help, one of the things that we always pride ourselves in is being able to provide for. So, if someone comes to me from a different faith background that I'm not particularly familiar with, I can definitely put them in touch with someone else who would be able to help them walk through that space. So, it's a great starting place to just step into the office and sit down and start having the conversation and just remove any of the stigmas or the the misconceptions that you may have, about a chaplain that you see on a regular basis. And I think one of the cool things about the story, or about this particular historical incident, like I said before, is that all four of these chaplains, they had different worldviews. They had different perspectives on life, afterlife, all of those things. And yet that wasn't a factor when it came to helping people, right? If you read the story, they were helping anybody and everybody. They didn't distinguish between a soldier or a person, when they handed him a life jacket, their question wasn't do you believe this when you take this life jacket. That wasn't at the forefront of their minds. It was how can I help this person through this? And that's really what a chaplain does. In a lot of ways that five minute conversation could be a figurative life jacket that keeps your head above water. Right, we step into that space with you. We sit down and we talk, you get to vent, you get stuff off your chest whether it's just screaming, cussing, yelling, throw things, we don't take it personal, right? We're there to listen. And sometimes it deflates five pounds out of the tire to keep it from blowing up. And it keeps you going. One of the things I like to tell people all the time is if your heart isn't right, your head isn't right. And sometimes it's just a conversation and just getting stuff off your chest that people carry with them all the time. And removing those fears of barriers and misconceptions is huge to just starting that conversation with someone, especially chaplains, just sitting down and just getting that stuff out in the open. And a lot of times that'll give you some breathing room to keep going. - Yeah. Ms. Chickering what, what would you say? I know that you said your grandfather was a survivor from being on that. So with what these chaplains are describing here about how they are able to help Airman today, what do you think his experience was on that ship, and and seeing them lead in that way, that selfless service, and keeping calm in such uncertainty, and helping people get through that situation? - Yeah, either I think that they were such an inspiration, not just for my grandfather, but for everyone that witnessed their selfless service and their dying. The Dorchester sunk within 20-25 minutes of being hit by the torpedo. And while that was such a quick act, many men spent, well, my grandfather spent seven and a half hours in a donut raft waiting to be rescued. And you're in the North Atlantic, you're 150 miles off the coast of Greenland. So, it's pretty cold. And I think seeing their actions gave them the strength, not just my grandfather, but gave those that were able to survive the strength to keep moving and to continue to wait for rescue. I don't think that many of those would have survived if they had not seen been a firsthand witness to their actions. They may not have been able to hear what they were saying, such "as swim away from the ship, "jump out as far as you can go, "you have to get away "from the propeller, just guiding these men." And by the way, there was one female onboard the ship as well. Just telling them what they needed to do to give them the best opportunity to survive. I think they touched many, many, many more lives than they ever would have would have if they'd actually made it to Greenland. And they were able to give the support up until the time of the sinking and long after that, that everyone very much needed at the time. - This really is such a compelling story. And just having these two chaplains on the line with us, I know that there've been Airman out there that you probably were thinking that they had a sinking ship and you find a, been able to help many people, whether it's family members or active duty members. And so this is just a great time for us to take a moment today and realize that February 3rd is a day about these Four Chaplains that sacrificed their lives, and that we have chaplains today, every day, that are going into combat with teams and being that rock. And so, yeah, I think, Ms. Chickering, with you saying that the service that they did and the sacrifice that they made, being that courage that helps those that survive to survive. We've got both of these chaplains, Chaplain Barner and Chaplain Sushia to continue to do that for our Airmen today. So thank you everyone for this conversation about today and, and what we need to remember. Do you guys have any last things that you want to bring to our listeners' attention about what this day means to you? - So, one of the things I love about the story, and it just stuck out really, to me, was the moment where one of the soldiers went back to his room to go get his gloves. And one of the chaplains said, "No, here. "Take mine." And he gave them his gloves and said, "Hey, I have an extra pair," to kind of give him the excuse to go ahead and take them. And that stuck out to me because it feels so much of like what we do in the day to day. When you see chaplains coming in and stopping in to give coffee, donuts, burritos, when we're popping into your workspace and interrupting your workspace, we're trying to connect, and we're trying to connect to you, and to build some trust, and for you to connect to us that way you know that you have someone in your corner that's rooting for you, that has your back. And even in the small things, our intent is to just make a connection and to build that trust out. And so I think that really stuck out to me as far as part of he story that seen in the day-to-day actions of our Chaplain Corps. Our chaplains as well as our religious affairs Airmen. - The small things that become the big things. That's for sure. - Yeah, absolutely. I would add this. This is Chaplain Sushia, here. I would say, I know a lot of people are dealing with a lot of stuff. 2020 is hard. We've, we've all had teleworking issues, and family issues, and relationship issues, and just counseling trends across the DOD. We can see that people are hurting. One of the things that I like to try to remind Airmen up here before they go into resistance training is that is that your greatest enemy is hopelessness. The second you become hopeless, your enemy has won. And as chaplains we're here to help give you hope. To point you towards something that's going to continue to give you strength. And it's only hopeless if you give up, and I know a lot of people are hurting. They're struggling with maybe even questions of suicide, things like that. And if that's the case, there's always hope. There's always someone who is willing to step into that dark space with you to help you through that, and to be an ear, to be a shoulder, whatever we can do to offer that sense of hope. So, know that there are people that genuinely care. And within the Chaplain Corps, that's why we raised our hand. That's why we put on the uniform. Is to help people through that and to be that sense of hope that people desperately need right now, probably more than ever. So, I would just add that. - Ms. Chickering, anything from you or your family, or a wise words to our listeners out there? - I think I would just have to say that if you're ever in any need, whereas you ever doubt that the chaplains can help you, don't second guess it. Just make an appointment, or just walk, knock on the door, and walk in and go talk to them. They're not going to hold anything against you. It's all confidential. And just go. One of the things that I've noticed about the Chaplain Corps, especially as they work as a team is if they can't help you themselves they'll find somebody that can. And just have the courage and the bravery to go see him to talk to them. - Yeah. I think that's a great way to kind of sum it up that the Four Chaplains that went down with the sinking of the Dorchester, the bravery that they showed to give their life for others is the same bravery that Airman need to have for themselves to go ahead and take that step to, to seek help. So, I think that we all here encourage anyone that needs to talk to someone, or that knows an Airman that they want to share these resources with and let them know that there is someone there, just never forget that your chaplains are on your side. So, thank you so much to all three of you for joining us today, and letting our audience know about the great perks that you guys offer and the hand that you'll always be willing to offer to Airmen to pull them up. And let us never forget, February 3rd, Four Chaplains Day, 1943, through the rest of history. 'Cause our Chaplain Corps isn't going anywhere. So thank you so much, you guys. Appreciate your time. - Thank you. - Thank you. - Absolutely. Thank you. - We appreciate your subscribe, stream, and download. As a reminder, you can follow our Air Education and Training Command, and the ATC command team on social media. We're on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. You can also catch up on the latest news across the command on our website at atc.af.mil. From the entire ATC public affairs team, I'm captain Kayshell Trudel. Talk with you next time on The Air Force Starts Here.