Army interested in the whole man

by SP4 Bill Capp

ARMY INTERESTED IN WHOLE MAN

by SP4 Bill Capp

We realize that the Army is going through a period of change, such as new haircut styles, civilian personnel, bi-monthly pay, etc., in an attempt to improve relationships between command personnel and enlisted personnel. In order to improve these relationships a special leadership training committee is investigating the concept of the whole man. This concept says basically that a man is made up of physical, mental and spiritual facets.

The Army has been very much concerned with the training of the physical and the mental, but what about the spiritual? This is the question that Major Porter (a member of the Leadership Training Committee of the Fort Sill Field Artillery school) asked. Even though the army chaplains have always emphasized the spiritual dimension of life, many military personnel are not involved in the Chaplain's programs. Realizing that this is basically a youthful Army (average age, 24), Major Porter suggested that the community look into the youth oriented "Jesus Movement" to see how it treated the spiritual aspect of the whole man. Major Porter and Chaplain Peck went to California where the Jesus movement originated to make a study of youth oriented Christian organizations.

While in California they interviewed five organizations: 1.) Campus Crusade for Christ, 2.) Christians World Liberation Front, 3.) Calvary Chapel Church, 4.) Hollywood Free Paper, and 5.) Teen Challenge. They found that these organizations were very effective in providing individuals with the personal attributes that produce the desire by the Army. The new life style that these young people have developed is a result of their approach to a strong, clear challenge to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. Using this basic challenge, members of Christian institutions have seen dramatic changes in the lives of tens of thousands of young people in the same age bracket as most of our army personnel. Although the approach of each one of the five groups is different, the message is the same - Jesus Christ is Lord and through him we find food and meaning in life.

The adaptation to the army of the positive-Christian message is currently under consideration and has been presented to various army commanders. As a result of Major Porter's recommendations, a trip to Dallas was organized and other events of similar nature are now being planned.

At present there a number of bible studies being conducted on Fort by chaplains and other military personnel. Friday nights at 1930, Saturdays at 1330 and 1900 Grayson Fll Chapel holds such studies.

Within this battalion we will be starting a "crap session" Bible study as well. The first "crap session" will be Thursday the 14th from 1730 to 1830 and to those interested you may contact me for full details.