The Frontline of Interfaith Engagement: The Work of US Army Chaplains.
On February 20, 2025, the Lutheran Center partnered with College Ministry to host three U.S. Army Chaplains on campus to speak on the critical interfaith work of military chaplains. Chaplains in the military are tasked with creating spaces for particular religious practice for soldiers from any and all religious backgrounds while simultaneously protecting against the establishment of one religion. CH (LT COL) Kerstin Hedlund and CH (CAPT) Dung Nguyen attended the class “Religion in America” taught by Dr. Tim Rainey and spoke with our Interfaith Fellows before they were joined by CH (COL) Buddy Winn for a panel and dinner discussion with students, staff, faculty, alumni, and community members. Chaplain Hedlund also offered a fabulous message in chapel. The Lutheran Center’s Interfaith Fellows took some time to reflect on what they learned through engaging with our guests that day:
From Emery Jansen ‘26, Ancient Studies and Religion major:
The military chaplaincy event inspired me to reflect on my own vocational journey in several ways. I find that I often enter new situations with assumptions as to what will happen and face new interactions with expectations for how someone will act. Leading up to the military chaplaincy event, I assumed that all military chaplains have a deep, foundational understanding of each tradition they interact with. However, in speaking with and hearing from the chaplains, I came to understand that even as they strive to learn about the various beliefs and practices of their soldiers in order to support their varieties of religious practices, the care they show to their soldiers every day is rooted in their own personal faith. None of the chaplains mentioned that a perfect understanding of each tradition is necessary for their job. Rather, rooted in their personal convictions, each chaplain is able to support their soldiers as fellow humans and provide them with profound spiritual care. I remained curious throughout the event and ultimately found myself awed by the work of the military chaplains.
Rather, rooted in their personal convictions, each chaplain is able to support their soldiers as fellow humans and provide them with profound spiritual care.
I do my best to treat others with abundant care—a value that is closely tied to my vocational exploration. As a Christian, I believe that the Gospel calls me to love and extend care to my neighbors regardless of political or ideological differences. Moving through my time at St. Olaf and considering possible careers, I specifically seek opportunities that will allow me to build community and increase the flourishing of my neighbors. I am yet unsure what the future holds in terms of a career. Nonetheless, this event gave me a humbling reminder that I do not need to be an expert at something to make a positive impact on those around me.
From Addie Flesch ‘26, Psychology and Religion major:
The military chaplains showed me what it looks like to live out your vocation. St. Olaf places a strong emphasis on vocation, which encompasses professional identity, and more broadly, is also about who you are called to be and what you are called to do in all aspects of your life. We Interfaith Fellows had the opportunity to engage in a conversation with the chaplains, discussing their journey in becoming chaplains and their interfaith work. As someone studying religion and hoping to include interreligious dialogue in my future career, I found their advice very helpful.
The chaplains provide support to any soldier in their unit, regardless of their religious background.
Military chaplains play a non-combatant role, meaning they do not carry weapons when deployed, focusing instead on providing spiritual and emotional support to soldiers. The chaplains provide support to any soldier in their unit, regardless of their religious background. Chaplain Hedlund told us that it is less about knowing everything about a soldier’s religion and more about having a conversation with them, meeting them where they are, and asking thoughtful questions. The chaplains have an “open door” policy, meaning they are always willing to offer support to anyone at any time. Reflecting on my vocational interests, I aspire to help people wherever needed with understanding, just as the chaplains do.
From Branko Dubravcic Suarez ‘25, Chemistry major:
To be honest, I wasn’t overly excited about having military members on campus, as I held many biases regarding the ethics and morals associated with their service. However, I was pleasantly surprised to hear their perspectives and learn about their vocation. As an international student with no prior knowledge of how the military operates in this country, I had assumed they focused solely on physical well-being, neglecting mental and spiritual aspects. I loved hearing from these chaplains because they seemed genuinely passionate about their roles: serving others and caring for their people’s mental and spiritual well-being. Their words made me reflect on the importance of service, recognizing signs of distress, and being a compassionate listener. At the same time, their insights prompted me to consider my own vocation and personal values, encouraging me to think about a career beyond just personal happiness. Yes, it is important to work in a setting that brings us joy, but it is even more meaningful to be in a place where we can do good for others and serve while engaging in work we enjoy.
Their words made me reflect on the importance of service, recognizing signs of distress, and being a compassionate listener.
Their work, in many ways, reminded me of what we do at the Lutheran Center. We often talk about the “rooted and open” identity of the college, and it was inspiring to hear them discuss this concept in their own context. For instance, CH (CAPT) Dung Nguyen shared his experience as an interfaith chaplain, saying, “The more I learn about other people’s faith, the more I become rooted in my Buddhist tradition.” Hearing that phrase immediately brought me back to our weekly Interfaith Fellows meetings, where we discuss how learning from others and experiencing different religions enriches our worldview and deepens our connection to our own traditions. It was also inspiring to hear how they care for one another. They are mindful of the many soldiers from different faith traditions and actively seek ways to support them. Rather than trying to convert anyone, they serve as a resource and a safe, confidential space for soldiers in times of crisis.
From Dick Nchang ‘25, Quantitative Economics major
How many of us know much about the vital work of military chaplains? Such as the work they are doing to address suicide rates in the military? Not me. Hearing the chaplains share their stories was yet another humbling learning experience on the importance of spiritual nourishment for everyone, including a soldier.
From Lucy Lindgren ‘25 Psychology and German major
Kerstin Hedlund shared a moving story about a group that she worked with who practiced Islam, who asked her to stay with them and be their Imam despite her identities as Christian and female, saying that “Allah always hears the prayers of the faithful.”
I think that the importance of military chaplains was best described in Chaplain Colonel Buddy Winn’s statement that war will always be there, whether there is a chaplain or not, but if there can be chaplains to work with, speak with, and help the soldiers, it will make their experience better. He said that “the best thing we can do is listen and be there for them.” Across the panel, conversations, and a wonderful chapel talk, an overall theme of compassion shone through. The chaplains hold immense compassion for the soldiers, which in turn inspires soldiers’ compassion for religious diversity. Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel Kerstin Hedlund shared a moving story about a group that she worked with who practiced Islam, who asked her to stay with them and be their Imam despite her identities as Christian and female, saying that “Allah always hears the prayers of the faithful.” Chaplain Captain Doug Nguyen, in discussing that an important aspect of the chaplain’s work is to care for soldiers’ mental health, emphasised that they try to impress upon the soldiers to watch out for one another and to “please take care of each other.” In the panel, the chaplains also shared ideas for how civilians can support soldiers, emphasizing the importance of medical and physical health workers, and people not affiliated with the military who can give space for veterans to heal and grow. Military chaplains help soldiers receive meals that follow their religious laws including halal and kosher, and help to provide a moral voice, such as in denouncing the bounty kill program during the Vietnam War. Chaplain Winn described the military as a microcosm of the world, a reflection of trends occurring in the United States and on an international level. To use this logic in reverse, military chaplains hold compassion in a way that can remind us all to practice kindness and care for our fellow humans– all humans, no matter their religion.
From Zach Martin ‘26, Mathematics and Quantitative Economics major:
Hearing him talk made me reflect on how I can make my work impactful on peoples’ lives, rather than just having work be a task that needs to be completed and forgotten.
Something I found interesting in my conversation with Chaplains Hedlund and Nguyen was the intersection between their military and religious statuses. I was surprised when they said that they were disallowed from carrying or operating weapons, even in active war zones. It really shows how significant their spiritual services are to soldiers; they are not superfluous staff that the military employs to be in compliance with government regulations. I also felt the sense of duty the chaplains assume while listening to Chaplain Nguyen talk about his relationship with Buddhist soldiers. Since there are only a handful of Buddhist Chaplains in all of the Army, and the soldiers are spread out geographically, he said he had a few contacts that he still maintained even after they were no longer in the same unit. It showed that he cared about the people he served, beyond the limits of his job. Hearing him talk made me reflect on how I can make my work impactful on peoples’ lives, rather than just having work be a task that needs to be completed and forgotten.
From Belle Mae Williams ‘26, Chinese and Philosophy major:
The military chaplaincy event was motivational as it highlighted the dedication to doing good work. Their willingness to offer emotional support to individuals, regardless of their religious background, is very admirable. I also see their work as selfless and compassionate.
What was most powerful for me was their dedication to work that is of benefit to others, often placing their own needs below the needs of others.
All of the chaplains’ stories had a common theme of respect for others. Although this may seem mundane, respect goes a long way in creating peace between individuals, nations, and communities. What was most powerful for me was their dedication to work that is of benefit to others, often placing their own needs below the needs of others. This event encouraged me to reflect on my own communities that I’m a part of and. Additionally, the event highlighted the need to be constantly open to others’ perspectives so that others can feel accepted. Also, it reminded me that sitting back and listening to others’ worries can be of great service to society.
The Lutheran Center was excited to host an event featuring the interfaith work of military chaplains because of its resonance with the mission of the center where we strive to be Lutheran and Interreligious, embodying a rooted and open stance in ways that build bridges, deepen connections, and spur collective action toward a more compassionate and understanding world. As is clear from the Interfaith Fellows reflections, military chaplains are also called upon to embody a rooted and open approach–as clergy, they are deeply rooted in their particular religious traditions. And as religious leaders in a religious diverse organization, they’re called upon to be spiritual guides, teachers, ministers, to any and all members of the military, whether or not they share the same tradition or practice or outlook. As a campus where the military is not a visibly felt presence, we were so grateful for the opportunity to hear stories of challenge, connection, and hope from people on the frontlines of interfaith work.
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