Navy Chaplain Spreads Good Word and Will To Deployed Troops
(June 3, 2011) |
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| CAMP BASTION, Afghanistan (MCN - 5/30/2011) — A young James
C. Ragain found himself face to face with tragedy in his
seventh-grade year. His father, a Navy dentist, had moved
his family to Parris Island, S.C. where Ragain recalled his
first contact with military chaplains that would forever
change his life. |
April 30, 2011
- Navy Lieutenant James C. Ragain is the chaplain for Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 40, currently deployed to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan. He has served as a Chaplain with 2nd Marine Aircraft since 2009 and is serving is first deployment in Afghanistan. |
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“One afternoon a couple buddies and I went to a
local swimming pool and one of my friends
drowned,” Ragain said. “The whole neighborhood
came out to console the family. I remember the
chaplains being out there to support the boy's
family. That was enough to really make a lasting
impact on a young boy like me.”
After
graduating from Miami University in Oxford,
Ohio, with a degree in social studies education
Ragain became a high school teacher.
But
two years later, he still felt a call to serve
the military and to serve God. So the Knoxville,
Tenn., native decided to take part in the Navy's
chaplain candidate program.
“I became a
chaplain candidate in 2003, and |
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then went on to seminary where I worked on my
Master of Divinity studies in Chicago,” said
Ragain, who currently serves in the U.S. Navy's
chaplain corps as a lieutenant. |
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Ragain joined the active duty ranks in 2009, arriving at his
first duty station at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point,
N.C., and in 2011 deployed to Camp Bastion, Afghanistan,
with Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 40 as the squadron's
chaplain.
“What never changes is that you are
facilitating a method for someone to get their religious
needs, you're caring for all the people, you're doing
counseling, advising the command and doing workspace
visits,” said Ragain when comparing being a chaplain in
garrison and on deployment.
“There is definitely a
difference in the nature of the things we talk about in
counseling, such as being separated from loved ones,” said
Ragain, whose wife Michelle lives in New Bern, N.C., working
both as a personal trainer and as a mother to the couple's
three children – including twin 3-year-old daughters. “The
Marines are away from their families, just like I am, so I
am able to counsel them and offer them first-hand guidance.”
Ragain provides several religious services every week
and also works with his squadron's leadership to work with
Marines who may be facing difficulties.
“In addition
to the regular services out here we are also doing suicide
intervention training,” said Ragain. “It's a week-long
training program we do with leaders to help with anyone who
may be having suicidal ideations.”
“I have had a
couple of incidences in which I had to talk to Marines who
were having troubling thoughts,” he said. “Generally, we
would talk for a while and then I work with them to get the
next level of help that they need.”
Ragain's efforts
have proved valuable to his command, and squadron leaders
said the chaplain's well-known sense of humor and
approachability are ideal for reaching Marines of all ranks.
“He's probably the greatest secret weapon I have here in
my squadron,” said Lt. Col. Clarence Harper, the MALS-40
commanding officer. “The way he goes about building
religious programs within the squadron is exceptional. He's
just a tremendous help. I love that guy like a brother.”
1st Lt. Joseph W. Steen, the logistics officer for
MALS-40 said he goes to Wednesday night services regularly
to continue his spiritual education. He said since he met
Ragain, they have become close friends.
“He's one of
the best chaplains I've ever met,” said Steen. “He is
appreciated and very respected in this squadron. We talk
about three times a week and I can honestly say that we have
a deep sense of friendship.”
Petty Officer 2nd Class
Jason Dockter serves as a religious programs specialist for
MALS-40 and works side-by-side with Ragain.
“Chaplain Ragain has been great to work for,” said Dockter.
“I can work with him on a professional level, but I can also
connect with him on a personal level and I think that helps
us develop as a team when we meet with Marines and interact
with them.”
Since he's been working with Ragain,
Dockter has been in a prime position to witness the positive
influence Ragain has made on the squadron.
“I
definitely see the impact he makes,” said Dockter. “It's
been apparent in our Bible studies. When we first got here
the Bible studies started off very small and since then,
they have grown exponentially. I think that is a testament
to the kind of person that Chaplain Ragain is and how he's
able to deliver the word of God.”
Although Ragain is
known as a fun and approachable person, he takes his
ministry very seriously.
“I think the best thing
that a chaplain can offer service members in a deployed
environment is a representation of who God is,” said Ragain.
“Since we're strictly noncombatants and are not allowed to
carry weapons we're set apart and I think people want us to
be that representation of God.”
Although he has
gained the trust and appreciation of many Marines and
Sailors in MALS-40, Ragain's goals are far from
accomplished.
“I want to be obedient to God. Being
faithful to him and serving the Marines and Sailors the best
I can is the best way I can do that,” Ragain said. “I just
take it tour by tour and see where God leads me. I want to
continue to grow in leadership, grow in my knowledge of
scripture and who God is and how to best be a representative
of him in whatever setting I'm in.” |
Article and photo by USMC Cpl. Rashaun X. James
2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (Fwd)
Copyright 2011 | |
Reprinted from
Marine Corps News
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