The next step is for him to share his concerns with the company leaders. The command cares about you, your family, and your ideas. The chaplain also plays a pivotal role in creating a sense of community and esprit de corps among the soldiers, their families, and the command. I found that having numerous social events, at little or no cost to the families, was extremely effective. Organizational days, family religious retreats, holiday meals in the dining facility, and company parties all helped create a sense of battalion unity.
Chaplains also have special funds available for sponsoring such activities.
These annual events created camaraderie, traditions, and special memories for the soldiers and their families. In many cases, the dining-out and the retreat were the first opportunities for the spouses to participate in a battalion activity. The battalion had a good response to both functions, and they are now annual events. The unit cohesion created by activities of this nature pays huge dividends when it is time to organize family support groups, which are critical in ensuring that family members receive proper care. Spouses who feel that the command cares for them and that they are an integral part of the organization are far more willing to assist others in the platoon and company.