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"Chaplains are trained like regular Soldiers ... except without
weapons. They don't give us bullets and rifles, but our bibles have
full metal jackets," U.S. Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.) James King said
to a room filled with U.S. Armed Service veterans and College of
William and Mary student volunteers.
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April 9, 2016 - U.S. Army Chaplain (Lt. Col.) James King, the deputy
garrison chaplain for Fort Eustis, Va., and an Armed Service Arts
Partnership (ASAP) student, practices his comedy routine during an
ASAP comedy boot camp class at the College of William and Mary in
Williamsburg, VA. King is transitioning out of the Army and taking
the class as a means to deal with stressors. (U.S. Air Force photo
by Staff Sgt. Natasha Stannard)
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King is one of eight local veterans participating in the Armed
Services Arts Partnership (ASAP) comedy boot camp that aims to build
a healthy outlet for veterans to work through struggles ranging from
post-traumatic stress disorder to depression.
"We don't
provide therapy; we aren't physicians, but there is something
inherently therapeutic about laughter," said Ryan Goss, ASAP comedy
advisor. "This is for a group of people who sacrifice so much for
us, and I think it's sort of our duty to give back in this fun and
creative way."
Whether veterans are looking to cross off a
bucket list item or begin a comedy career, ASAP helps them not only
achieve their goal, but tackle issues with which they struggle.
For U.S. Air Force veteran Darlean Basuedayva, uniting with
fellow ASAP students helped her through a problem she felt only
other former Service members could understand.
"It's as
though that relationship you had with the military has been severed
and you don't quite know how to handle that," said Basuedayva of
getting out of the military. "This class has helped me to connect
with other veterans ... some who experienced the same experiences I
have, and understand how to deal with things that maybe no therapist
or counselor can."
That like-mindedness in the classroom
setting not only helps program participants like Basuedayva through
issues, but it helps with expressing those issues -- through jokes,
said U.S. Army veteran and ASAP comedy instructor, Fred McKinnon.
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April 9, 2016 - Fred McKinnon, Armed Service Arts Partnership (ASAP)
comedy instructor, gives an overview of the day's rehearsal goals
during the ASAP comedy boot camp class at the College of William and
Mary in Williamsburg, VA. McKinnon, a U.S. Army veteran, volunteers
with ASAP to help fellow veterans express themselves through
stand-up routines. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Natasha
Stannard)
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"I know what they're going through as a veteran in
dealing with anxiety and depression; and I know how it can
be when you walk up to the microphone," said McKinnon, who
works at Fort Eustis. "But the premise of the class is to
get them to use their creative thinking in how they can
sometimes turn their problems and issues into comedy."
Throughout the program, the students gain instruction
not only from fellow prior Service members like McKinnon who
perform frequently at local venues, but from their
classmates as well. After each performance, the students
give feedback and constructive criticism to ensure their
comedic battle buddies get a good laugh.
For King,
who is working through depression, the group kept him from
holding onto troubles that he didn't know how to deal with
on his own.
"It's very supportive," said King, of the
class that prepares students to perform live at a local
comedy club. "We're not trying to outdo each other; we
encourage each other ... and give each other ideas to help
improve."
"Without this class I would be a problem
waiting to happen," King continued. "If I had not gotten
help to find avenues to deal with the issues that I'm facing
it would still be bottled up inside me. I don't have to put
up a wall as much as I learned to be more open and
expressive."
No matter the veterans' goals, the
fellow participants, facilitators and instructors are all
there to make sure the new comedians reach their highest
potential not only on stage, but in other aspects of their
lives.
"I didn't think the class was going to be so
instrumental ... they have helped me to not feel judged and
have pushed my confidence," said Basuedayva. "This thing
that I'm doing, it takes a lot of courage to do. If I can do
this, can you imagine some of the others things that I can
do by breaking this barrier of fear. I can do a magnitude of
things."
Learn more
about Armed Services Arts Partnership
By U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Natasha Stannard
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
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