Chaplains play a unique role in the United States military and in our concept of spirituality. Each chaplain is approved for their role by their church or religious organization, but in their duties, chaplains serve individuals of all religious traditions, including atheists. The Department of Defense allows chaplains to serve in 100% confidentiality, and military personnel have a deep trust in their chaplains, regardless of their faith.
Chaplain Capt. Jenna Carson loves preaching. She loves everything about it, from reading Scripture and meditating to craft her sermon message to the thrill of standing at the pulpit and then bursting with energy to speak. But she also loves counseling, listening to people who come to her with their questions, their confessions, their joys and their sorrows.
Carson is a former missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (serving in Tampa, Florida) and is now the first female Latter-day Saint chaplain in the U.S. military. Her days at Keesler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi, were far different than she expected, as she had majored in English at BYU and hoped to become a teacher. An insightful professor encouraged her to attend Harvard Divinity School, where she studied ministry and went on to a three-year Master of Divinity program.
Carson says she felt a decidedly strange calling. At the time, her faith had no female military chaplains, and she had never been drawn to the ministry. But she asked. And then asked again every few months. She became a hospital chaplain, then a federal prison chaplain. Along the way, she got divorced. But in 2021, a call from church headquarters told her that single men and women could be approved as chaplains on a case-by-case basis. She was commissioned as an officer and chaplain in the U.S. Air Force in July 2022.
Now she dedicates her days to helping men and women of all backgrounds in any way she can, whether that be through listening, preaching or just showing love. “When I’m counseling, I often just pray to know what to say and what not to say. I want to help them find meaning in life and what they need to receive support, sometimes spiritual and sometimes more secular.”
Carson spoke to Deseret Magazine about her work, with the requisite disclaimer for granting an interview: Her views are her own and not those of the Department of Defense.
Deseret Magazine: What does a military chaplain do?
Jenna Carson: Besides counseling and preaching, I also pray at military ceremonies and advise leaders on moral, ethical and religious issues. As officers, we receive mandatory specialized education throughout our careers. We also officiate weddings and funerals, but I haven’t had the chance to do so yet. My day is pretty much filled with counseling sessions and praying at various events and ceremonies. I also teach a weekly “Mindful Monday” class on base, where I guide participants in mindful movement and meditation.
DM: What is it like to serve people who don’t share your faith?
J.C.: I listen and talk with as open-minded and unbiased an attitude as possible. Sometimes, people have strong religious beliefs and I talk to them about God. But if they have had a bad experience with religion, I sometimes lead them in meditation to calm and calm their mind. Although we have theological differences, I love to learn about all spiritual backgrounds. I think being open-minded is a gift.
DM: Has it changed your own perspective on spirituality?
J.C.: I have to tread carefully. I have to remember that I am rooted in a religious tradition. I rely on an analogy I developed in grad school. I liken myself to a tree. The roots, like my relationship with Jesus, are deep and continue to grow, but the branches grow outward. I see these other religious traditions as nourishing me, helping me grow and broaden my perspective.
“I listen and speak as open-mindedly and as nonjudgmentally as possible. Although there are theological differences, I love learning about all spiritual backgrounds. I think having an open mind is a natural gift.”
DM: Why the pastorate?
J.C.: It reminded me of LDS missionary work, except I didn’t proselytize. I meet people where they are without my own agenda and listen to them without trying to pull them in one direction or another. I love listening to people and supporting them, so it felt like a sacred place. There was a time when I thought about becoming a therapist, but I wanted to be able to talk about God. Chaplaincy is the best of both worlds. I’m not a mental health professional, but I do basic short-term counseling. And it’s a special world if people want to focus on a higher power. That’s what attracted me. I never thought about joining the military until I felt that calling.
DM: What is that like as a woman?
J.C.: There are not many women in military chaplaincy roles. I had a strong desire to help women who faced many hardships in the military. But there are also many men who come to me. And I was surprised that some of them accepted me as their spiritual authority and chaplain. That was something I never expected.
DM: Do pastors have to go to boot camp and what was it like?
J.C.: Boot camp was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. I went to military school. It was almost nine weeks. Believe me, I was counting every day. I did a lot of training beforehand to get physically strong, but it’s hard to prepare for the Alabama heat in August and September. But for me it was even harder mentally. It was a whole new worldview that I had never experienced, and I felt like I didn’t fit in. I wondered what the hell I signed up for.
DM: You did a great job. What is the most difficult part of your current job?
J.C.In the military, you have to be mentally strong. I am disciplined and make sure I take care of myself. Listening to everything people talk about is quite exhausting, both emotionally and physically. I keep a journal to process a lot, I do yoga, but sometimes you just need to be there and breathe, read a book, take a nap. Sometimes you can’t go out and be social. You have to conserve your energy and protect your time. I’m an introvert. I love people, but I refuel alone.
DM: What did you learn about people?
J.C.: At a fundamental level, we are all the same. Everyone just wants to be happy, safe and loved. We hurt each other because we are hurting ourselves. I’ve worked in prisons with people who were in tough living situations, and in the military, it was a lot of the same. A lot of these amazing young people are here trying to build a better life. They may be struggling, but I think God’s mercy is greater than I could ever imagine.
DM: Any final words you’d like to say?
J.C.: When I’m with God, I feel so much stronger and more empowered. I’m much more proactive than I was before. The more I realize I’m broken and I need God, the more I realize I’m just like everyone else. My position doesn’t bring me closer to God or to the truth. I’m just here to walk the path and be supported. And just like everyone else, I need support.
This story appears in the June 2024 issue Deseret Magazine. Learn more about how to subscribe.
