Military chaplains offer guidance and counselling to all, regardless of rank or religion. Learn more with Reverend David Jackson, a Canadian chaplain serving NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup in Latvia.
Synopsis
Military chaplains have a proud history of serving alongside active duty soldiers. Although they do not carry firearms under the Geneva Convention, they accompany soldiers in all situations, providing guidance and counselling to all who ask for it, regardless of rank or religion.
Reverend David N. Jackson is a Canadian chaplain serving NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup in Latvia. In this video, he explains his role in the Battlegroup and in particular how he has helped with guidance during the COVID-19 crisis.
Footage includes various shots of Reverend Jackson in his chapel on base, walking around and talking with other Canadian soldiers.
Transcript
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Lt Reverend David N Jackson, Chaplain, NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup Latvia
“The motto is ‘Vocatio Ad Servitium’, which simply means ‘called to serve’, and we’re called to serve people of all ranks and regardless of religious affiliation.”
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Lt Reverend David N Jackson, Chaplain, NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup Latvia
“In the Canadian military and in the Commonwealth militaries in general, chaplains are often referred to as ‘Padre’, so you’ll often hear if I’m walking around the bases, people will be saying ‘Hi Padre’, and it’s part of that history that we have.”
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Lt Reverend David N Jackson, Chaplain, NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup Latvia
“The role of the chaplain has very much stayed the same over the years, World War One, World War Two, all the way up to Afghanistan and now. Chaplains under the Geneva Convention are non-combatants so we don’t bear arms but I am there with the troops alongside them, providing whatever care they need. Sometimes I’ll meet with troops here in the chapel if they need to talk. On another day you might find me in the field, maybe I’m in an armoured vehicle riding around with the troops. And sometimes they just need a friendly ear to listen to in a safe environment.”
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Lt Reverend David N Jackson, Chaplain, NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup Latvia
“Normally, the families are worried about the deployed troops but COVID has kind of turned things upside down a little bit where we’ve had troops worried about their families back home. There’s a team of chaplains across Canada that I’m able to turn to so that the families back home are supported and taken care of as well, and if the troops here know that their families are being supported back home, then they can stay mission-focused.”
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Lt Reverend David N Jackson, Chaplain, NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup Latvia
“We would say we’re friends and advisors to all. Regardless of rank or religion, regardless of nation, I will provide care as needed.”
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