CAFB provides 'dignified transfer' training for Army chaplains

Published July 15, 2009
By Staff Sgt. Daniel Bowles
437th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- More than 170 Army chaplain candidates gathered on the flightline here July 14 to receive training in the honors given to fallen service members during dignified transfers of human remains.

In August, the U.S. Army Chaplain Center and School at Fort Jackson, S.C., began working in coordination with Charleston AFB to provide a learning environment for students enrolled in the school's Chaplain Basic Officer Leader Course.

The visit was the fourth training event held since the cooperative arrangement began roughly one year ago.

To closely simulate what would actually be seen during a real dignified transfer, a Charleston C-17 was used, along with the help of Charleston AFB honor guard members with training in dignified transfer procedures.

"Imagine if you'd never done one of these before," said Army Chap. (Maj.) Robert Hart, the staff group leader and ethics instructor for the CH-BOLC. "The very first one I got tasked with, I had never done before and I was in Iraq. They said, 'Chaplain, we took losses, and we want to do the right thing.'"

Chaplain Hart said at the time there was no Army-wide standard, but as time went on, a need for standard introductory training was realized.

Once the students were packed tightly into the C-17, they listened attentively to directions shouted through the droning of aircraft components. As instructors explained each phase of the dignified transfer, they concluded on an underlying purpose - communicating the message of hope.

Rendering military honors to a fallen service member is always placed first, but a chaplain's mission is also to help ease the burden of those mourning a loss, said Chaplain Hart.

"Many times there will be a formation of people who were close to the [individual]," he said. "It's a great opportunity to minister to those who might be grieving."

Although no mourners were present at the July 14 demonstration, Airman 1st Class Troy Whetstone, a crew chief with the 437th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron who prepared the C-17 for the day's event, said watching the preparations reinforced his goal of becoming a member of the base honor guard.

"I've never had the privilege of doing this," he said. "After I get a little more high-speed with my job, I want to volunteer for the honor guard."

To get the training underway, Airman Whetstone lowered the massive loading ramp of the C-17, revealing a parked truck to the rear of the aircraft. A flag-draped transfer case was placed in the truck bed, and Army Chap. (Capt.) Joseph Odell, the class leader of the CH-BOLC, Class 09-002, joined the Charleston AFB honor guard team to perform a demonstration for the class.

At the command of "attention," called by Airman 1st Class Jeremy Severn, NCO of the honor guard detail, the team snapped into position.

Huddled together, students quietly listened to their instructors as the simulated dignified transfer progressed. The demonstration was performed twice, with intervals of explanation and time for questions and answers with the students. Each step was explained and every segment's significance was defined, with a communal prayer offered at the end.

The words of the prayer likened the dignified transfer to the biblical story of Jonah, who when swallowed by a whale was eventually redeemed from its belly, as would the remains of each fallen service member be delivered home safely in the "belly" of an aircraft.

The training lasted roughly half a day and in the short amount of time, not a moment was wasted. The students left with what they came for - a better understanding of their responsibility and a reaffirmed appreciation for the sacrifices that require it.

"A fallen comrade is one who has served his country, so anyone, I believe, who has served their country is due the respect that is coming to them," said Army Chap. Candidate (1st Lt.) Phillip Stephens, a student in the CH-BOLC, Class 09-002.

"The bible says honor those to whom honor is due," he said. "They have done their time here and paid the ultimate sacrifice, and you've got to honor that."