NG chaplain in the sandbox

National Guard chaplain inspires hope, courage in Soldiers

By Army Staff Sgt. Pat Caldwell
3rd Sustainment Brigade

Army 1st Lt. Jock Johnson (middle), chaplain for the 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) prays with soldiers from A. Company, 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) before a night convoy escort mission. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Pat Caldwell) (Released)

JOINT BASE BALAD, Iraq (2/23/11) - Silhouetted against the shadows of a dozen Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, the chaplain prayed.

He prayed for the men standing around him in a semi-circle; he prayed for their families back home in places like Oregon and Idaho. He prayed for their spouses and daughters and sons and brothers and most of all, he prayed that on this cold January night, the men in the MRAPs would be safe.

Then the prayer ended. The Soldiers from the 3rd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Sustainment Brigade, 103rd Sustainment Brigade (Expeditionary), slowly began to wander away, back to their MRAPS that would, in a few short hours, carry them down a stretch of Iraqi highway that may or may not be safe.

A Soldier lingered. He chatted with Army 1st Lt. Jock Johnson, chaplain for 3rd Battalion, 116th Cav. Regt., 3rd Sus. Bde. Then, he too walked away; back to his MRAP.

“It was good,” Johnson said. “I think they appreciate that the chaplain showed up.”...

Read the rest about this amazing man, here.