Unified care: A new approach for military religious professionals of diverse faiths

U.S. Air Force Capt. Vikas Kumar, 86th Operations Support Squadron aerospace physiologist, and Senior Airman Shivangi Patel, 402nd Intelligence Squadron cryptologic language analyst, speak on Hinduism practices and beliefs during a joint religious support team training hosted by 86th Airlift Wing and U.S. Army Garrison – Rheinland-Pfalz chaplains at Ramstein Air Base Germany, April 18, 2024. Recognizing the importance of cultural sensitivity and religious inclusivity, the training aimed to equip military religious professionals with crucial knowledge on a wide range of faith traditions to effectively provide care in joint and contingency environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)
U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. James Grabinski, 86th Airlift Wing Headquarters Chapel noncommissioned officer in charge of chapel operations, renders a salute during a ramp ceremony training event at Ramstein Air Base Germany, April 18, 2024. A ramp ceremony is a process by which remains of fallen military members are honorably transferred to an aircraft from a vehicle before they are airlifted home—an experience military religious professionals are often not exposed to outside of a deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)
Religious support military members participate in a ramp ceremony training during a joint religious support team training at Ramstein Air Base Germany, April 18, 2024. A ramp ceremony is a process by which remains of fallen military members are honorably transferred to an aircraft from a vehicle before they are airlifted home—an experience military religious professionals are often not exposed to outside of a deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)
Religious support military members rest their hand on a training casket to say goodbye while a chaplain prays during a simulated ramp ceremony at Ramstein Air Base Germany, April 18, 2024. A ramp ceremony is a process by which remains of fallen military members are honorably transferred to an aircraft from a vehicle before they are airlifted home—an experience military religious professionals are often not exposed to outside of a deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)
Religious support military members gather for a group photo during a joint religious support team training at Ramstein Air Base Germany, April 18, 2024. This training, hosted by 86th Airlift Wing and U.S. Army Garrison – Rheinland-Pfalz chaplains, focused on enhancing chaplains’ foundational understanding on different religions and faiths, and their ability to provide inclusive care in joint and contingency environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)
U.S. Army Private 1st Class Elvire Nguessan, 21st Special Troops Battalion religious affairs specialist, participates in ramp ceremony training at Ramstein Air Base Germany, April 18, 2024. A ramp ceremony is a process by which remains of fallen military members are honorably transferred to an aircraft from a vehicle before they are airlifted home—an experience military religious professionals are often not exposed to outside of a deployment. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)
U.S. Air Force Capt. Vikas Kumar, 86th Operations Support Squadron aerospace physiologist, presents slides on Hinduism during a joint religious support team training at Ramstein Air Base Germany, April 18, 2024. This training, hosted by 86th Airlift Wing and U.S. Army Garrison – Rheinland-Pfalz chaplains, focused on enhancing chaplains’ foundational understanding on different religions and faiths, and their ability to provide inclusive care in joint and contingency environments. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Jordan Lazaro)