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On January 14-16, 2025, the National Conference on Ministry to the Armed Forces (NCMAF), Endorsers Conference for Veterans Affairs Chaplaincy (ECVAC), and the Armed Forces Chaplains Board were held at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, VA. Archpriest Theodore Boback, Dean and Executive Director of the Orthodox Church in America Military and VAMC Chaplaincies participated in the three meetings.
Due to prior commitments, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, Ecclesiastical Endorser of the Orthodox Church in America Military and VA Chaplains, was unable to attend this year’s gathering.
The first sessions began on Tuesday afternoon. The ECVAC portion of the conference included a presentation by Chaplain Kimberly Willis, Executive Director, VA Chaplain Services who offered a presentation on the VA Chaplaincy.
Afterwards, Chaplain Heidi Kugler, Chief of Chaplains, Federal Bureau of Prisons, made a presentation to the attendees on the Chaplaincy within the Federal Prison system.
The day ended with an ECVAC business session which was held with Rev. Dr. Patricia Murphy, the ECVAC representative.
This year, the NCMAF had as its theme, “Foundations: The Heart of a Chaplain.” The second day commenced or began with remarks and greetings from Rev. Dr. Gary Carr, Chairperson of the Executive Committee, and Rev. Doyle Dunn, Executive Director of NCMAF. Afterwards, presentations included ”Endorsing Perspectives” by Monsignor Bob Cannon, Archdiocese of Military Services; “Recognizing Compassion Fatigue and Developing Self-Care” by Rev. Dr Michael Langston, Professor of Practical Theology at Columbia International University.
The next afternoon began with a panel presentation entitled, “Free Exercise of Religion Challenges.” Afterwards, the branch recruiters from the Air Force, Army and Navy made presentations.
The day ended with the annual NCMAF Business Meeting.
The final day’s events included the presentations “Chaplain Attachment (Fear vs Trust)” by Dr, Stephen P. Stratton, Professor of Counseling and Pastoral Care, Asbury Theological Seminary and “The free exercise of Religion and US Culture” by Rabbi David Saperstein (former Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom).
A number of other presentations were offered by various speakers prior to the luncheons each day, including Fr. Razz Waff, Major General, USA Retired, the Executive Director of the Military Chaplain Association (MCA), Fr. Robert Pleczkowski, Chaplain (Brigadier General) US Army retired, the President of the MCA; Rev, Dr. Richard Stenbakken Chaplain (Colonel) US Army Retired, the Desmond Doss Foundation, and a presentation on Logos Bible Software.
In the afternoon, the Armed Forces Chaplains Board hosted presentations by the three branch Chiefs of Chaplains: CH, Major General, Trent Scott, US Air Force; CH (Major General), William Green, Jr., US Army; and Rear Admiral Gregory Todd, CHC, US Navy. A question and answer session concluded the day.
Chaplain David Wake (Colonel), Executive Director, Armed Forces Chaplains Board was present during the three days and also addressed the conference attendees.
The Orthodox Church in America endorses Priests for the United States Armed Forces and for the Veterans Affairs Medical Centers. If you have interest in the Military or VAMC Chaplaincies, please contact our office: chaplains@oca.org.
