Chapel builds spiritual FENCE

  • Published
  • By Chaplain (1st Lt.) Zachary Nash
  • 71st Flying Training Wing
Vance Air Force Base, Okla. --  Stress...Burnout...Saturation...Washout-- words that float around in the heads of our student pilots before they ever see the inside of a T-6 and, unfortunately, before they see a chaplain. Our chapel team is given the mission-critical task of helping these young aviators when these situations happen. However, we would like to reach them before those words are a reality in their life and training.

The Vance chapel staff greets every new pilot during their "new pilot briefings" and introduces them to the chaplain service, but we wanted to reach these individuals in a deeper way. We decided to create something from their world that would help them be spiritually "fit to fight," as well as reinforce their training. We call it the Spiritual FENCE.

With creative input from our staff, help from graphics and reprographics, we used wording from T-6 educational materials and created an insert suitable for adding to the "In Flight Guide." On one side, we placed chapel contact information, the poem "High Flight" and the Air Force Hymn. On the other side is the Spiritual FENCE checklist that reads as follows:

Air Force Manual 11-248 states that a FENCE check is typically performed when entering or exiting a hostile area. It ensures aircraft systems are set for combat. To instill an easily transferable habit pattern during T-6 training, a FENCE check is performed when entering the Military Operating Area (FENCE-in) and again when leaving the MOA (FENCE-out). Spiritually, you need to FENCE as well. As you enter hostile areas of life, we pray that your "spiritual" FENCE will be a "transferable habit pattern" that will help you "Fly, Fight, and Win."

Fuel (balance and quantity): If your spiritual tank is empty it doesn't matter how mentally or physically adept you are. Make sure you are fueling yourself spiritually with proper balance and quantity. Take time to devote yourself through inspirational materials, authors, scriptures, retreats, worship etc.

Engine (within limits): Make sure you are not over-tasking your "engine." Emotionally, you can only push the red for so long. If your emotional RPMs are not within limits, you will seize up, crash and burn. Ensure you're getting proper rest and maintenance.

NAVAIDS (directional set): Wherever you get your guidance and philosophy of life, check your spiritual navigation often to be sure you're on course. You should always stay true to your beliefs and the Air Force Core Values. If you know where you are going and who you are, no one can steer you wrong. Be aware of others around you and their position relative to your own. Be able to identify spiritual friendlies as well as hostiles.

Communication (frequency set): Are you on the right frequency spiritually? Prayer and meditation in your faith is vital to a healthy spirit. As you face adversities in life, a calm spirit in communion with those around you is essential for success.

Equipment (G-suit Test): Just like your G-suit helps you do what is not humanly possible, you need equipment in your life that does the same. Seek out and find those resources that help you overcome the effects of this world. Make sure you have those resources at hand when the going gets rough.

We plan to distribute this resource to each new pilot that comes to Vance in the hope that we can be a part of the overall team that keeps these men and women flying. We also pray that you will do a daily spiritual FENCE check in your own life as well. If you would like a copy of the "Spiritual FENCE" or if our chapel team can help you in any way, call 7211 or drop by the chapel offices in Bldg. 505.