Basic Chaplain Course aims training at Global Power Competition

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Joseph H. Jun, Air Force Global Strike Command chaplain, and Capt. Jessi B. Noll, Special Operation Wing chaplain attend a training in military funeral honor protocols at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Jan. 27, 2025. The third week of the Basic Chaplain Course focuses on counseling, emotional intelligence and crisis intervention, with a full day dedicated to grief counseling. (US. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nelvis Sera.)

Basic Chaplain Course aims training at Global Power Competition

U.S. Air Force Capt. Matthew A. Awtrey, U.S. Air Force Academy chaplain presents his team project on the Department of the Air Force Instruction at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Jan. 28, 2025.The Basic Chaplain Course lays the foundation for leadership and understanding the diversity in religions within the military. (US. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nelvis Sera.)

Basic Chaplain Course aims training at Global Power Competition

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Ayanna Lenard, 459 Air Refueling Wing chaplain and 1st Lt. Megan Aycock, 20th Fighter Wing chaplain pose for a photo at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Jan. 31, 2025. Women chaplains have served since the 1970s and play a crucial role providing spiritual guidance, counseling, and moral support to Airmen of all faiths.

Basic Chaplain Course aims training at Global Power Competition

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Henckel Miranda, 102nd Intelligence Wing chaplain smiles during a team project presentation on the Department of the Air Force Instruction at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Jan. 28, 2025. The Basic Chaplain Course lays the foundation for leadership and understanding the diversity in religions within the military. (US. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nelvis Sera.)

Basic Chaplain Course aims training at Global Power Competition

U.S. Air Force Maj. Thomas West, Air Force Chaplain Corps College staff chaplain smiles as he walks into the Honor Guard Hangar at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Jan. 28, 2025. West was a civilian pastor for 17 years, before becoming a chaplain and has led or been a part of seven Basic Chaplain Courses. (US. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nelvis Sera.)

Basic Chaplain Course aims training at Global Power Competition

U.S. Airmen interact with each other after receiving base honor guard patches during a training in Military Funeral Honor protocols at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Jan. 27, 2025. The third week of the Basic Chaplain Course focuses on counseling, emotional intelligence and crisis intervention, with a full day dedicated to grief counseling. (US. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nelvis Sera.)

Basic Chaplain Course aims training at Global Power Competition

Published Jan. 31, 2025
By Airman 1st Class Nelvis Sera
42nd Air Base Wing Public Affairs

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. --

The Basic Chaplain Course, a month-long training program at the Air Force Chaplain Corps College here, is now placing a greater emphasis on global power competition readiness. This updated training is led by U.S. Air Force Maj. Thomas West, Air Force Chaplain Corps College staff chaplain, the course is from January 13 until February 7, preparing chaplains to lead, counsel, and support Airmen.

U.S. Air Force Maj. Thomas West, Air Force Chaplain Corps College staff chaplain smiles as he walks into the Honor Guard Hangar at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Jan. 28, 2025. West was a civilian pastor for 17 years, before becoming a chaplain and has led or been a part of seven Basic Chaplain Courses. (US. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nelvis Sera.)

“The biggest change in our readiness week is focused on getting our chaplains ready for a great power competition,” said West. “This is the very first iteration of us being totally focused on GPC readiness training for the BCCs.”

The first week of BCC lays the foundation for leadership and understanding religious diversity. Chaplains are introduced to faith traditions and practices they may not have previously encountered.

“They don’t really interact with other faith traditions, and when they come here, there’s rabbis, priests, imams,” said West. “The fact that they’re able to even just sit down with them, go to lunch, ask questions and sometimes even share in each other’s faith practices, it is transformative.”

Week two of BCC marks a significant shift, focusing on combat readiness and strategic competition threats. This readiness week is designed to prepare chaplains for ministry in deployed environments, with limited resources while supporting Airmen under extreme stress.

“When I was an Airman, I didn't see the bigger picture of it, going through officer training school and now BCC, they do a really great job of discussing great power competition scenarios,” said 1st Lt. Megan Aycock, 20th Fighter Wing chaplain. “I definitely have a better understanding now and feel strategically prepared if anything were to happen.”

U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Ayanna Lenard, 459 Air Refueling Wing chaplain and 1st Lt. Megan Aycock, 20th Fighter Wing chaplain pose for a photo at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Jan. 31, 2025. Women chaplains have served since the 1970s and play a crucial role providing spiritual guidance, counseling, and moral support to Airmen of all faiths.

The third week focuses on counseling, emotional intelligence and crisis intervention, with a full day dedicated to grief counseling. A key component of this week is Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, equipping chaplains with the skills to identify, intervene, and support service members at risk of suicide.

“I think the role of a chaplain is important, being able to take care of Airmen spiritually, mentally and being able to help them maintain their spiritual fitness is so important,” said Aycock. “If we don't help them out, then who's going to do it for them? I take pride that I have that ability to do that.”

As chaplains graduate from BCC in their final week, they become worldwide-qualified and they earn their Air Force Specialty Code.

“Chaplains are at the forefront of being deployed and given the role of being the spiritual leader,” said Maj. Thomas Simmons, Air Force Chaplain Corps College staff chaplain. “A lot is expected, and you have to own it, you can’t be scared.”

BCC creates a network of peers who will support each other throughout their careers and impact the lives of Airmen, Guardians and families. This reinforces the Chaplain Corps’ commitment to “care more than anyone thinks possible.”

U.S. Airmen pose for a photo at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama, Jan. 28, 2025. By the end of the Basic Chaplain Course, chaplains are worldwide qualified, prepared to lead, counsel, and support Airmen. (US. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nelvis Sera.)