RAF Mildenhall chaplain accomplishes NAVAC board certification

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Justine Rho
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs Office
RAF Mildenhall, England --  “I was there with his family when he drew his last breath. They didn’t know me, but they saw the cross and knew I was the chaplain. That’s all they cared about.”

Chaplain Capt. David McGuire, assigned to the 100th Air Refueling Wing on RAF Mildenhall, England, recalled a distinct experience during his Air Force Clinical Pastoral Education residency at San Antonio Medical Center, Texas. Moments like this, being a part of someone’s spiritual healing process, gave McGuire the confirmation to pursue the National Association of Veteran Affairs Chaplains board certification.

The priest of the Catholic Dioceses of Richmond, Virginia, joined the U.S. Air Force late in his ministry career. From 1987 until commissioning, McGuire carried out five pastoral assignments, including missionary work for orphanages in Bolivia and Mexico. Previously having interest in serving his country, the decision was selfless when asked to become a member of the U.S. Air Force Chaplain Corps during testing times in Iraq and Afghanistan in 2007.

During McGuire’s third assignment at Hurlburt Field, Florida, he was recommended to submit a package for the Air Force CPE program.

“The CPE program is an important in-residence training program that enables chaplains to serve in certain situations requiring more experience and competence in trauma, crisis, grief care and counseling,” said Chaplain Maj. Randy Croft, 100th ARW deputy wing chaplain. “Selected by senior chaplain corps leaders during their annual development team meeting, selection for CPE is an honor. Not every chaplain who wants the training gets selected.”

The application process alone is demanding and particular. The year McGuire applied six applicants were chosen out of 39 competitive packages.

During the CPE program, a yearlong controlled tour at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the chaplain’s residency rotated him from the burn unit, cardiac telemetry, post-partum, orthopedics, and finally the trauma unit. Each unit provided varying experiences that asked for chaplains to put theology of their denomination into action.

Pursuing NAVAC board certification is taking the next step to becoming nationally accredited.

Given the Affordable Care Act, hospitals hire staff clergy members who often require board certification, explained McGuire. Board certification creates a nationally recognized baseline which can be used as a common denominator for a variety of religious organizations.

“I’ve been with my troops forward in combat and I’d like to be with them at the other end when they’re in the hospital,” McGuire said. “That’s why I specifically pursued the NAVAC board certification.”

The chaplain described an experience with a burn patient which helped make the hard work and dedication worth it.

“The medical community worked like dogs to save this man, but it just was not going to happen with his injuries. He was kept as comfortable as possible until he passed,” said McGuire. “As difficult as that was, I knew this is what I wanted to do. The medical team does their best work, but when someone dies it’s very hard for them to deal with. It’s great to be a part of that intricate team, a part of that dance. You’re not just there for the patient and their family, but also the medical team.”
Chaplain McGuire’s vast amount of experience and personality hasn’t gone unnoticed.

“What I've really appreciated about Chaplain McGuire, in the short time he's been here at RAF Mildenhall, is his contagious energy, humble spirit, and servant leader perspective,” said Croft. “His hard work and warrior care has been recognized by the Air Force Special Operations Command Company Grade Officer Chaplain of the Year and the Special Operations Wing Staff Agency CGO of the Year.”

The newly board-certified chaplain looks at this accomplishment as an opportunity to further himself as a chaplain, and ultimately as an Airman. His drive is continuous.

“An important aspect about NAVAC board certification is the ongoing education facet,” explained McGuire. “You can’t keep your certification without at least the minimum of continuing education every year. The Air Force wants us to be continually sharpened to be better. Iron sharpens iron.”