The Country Team
by Stephen L. Cook, Army War College (U.S.)
Category: Military chaplains

The placement of US Military Chaplains on a country team is a new concept. The State Department has successfully represented the interests of the United States Government without a religious professional from its inception. However, the world scene has changed dramatically where the U.S. Government now has diplomatic relations and interactions with countries where religion plays an important role in their governing process. The country team chaplain, as that religious professional, meets the need to have that skilled someone to operate on behalf of the ambassador. Military chaplains come trained and understand the multi-faith environment. Once trained to work on the ambassador's team that chaplain is a multiplier of knowledge across all services.