Chaplain Stories Chaplain (MAJ-P) Alison Ward
Aug 26, 2025
Chaplain (MAJ) Alison Ward, an experienced US Army chaplain and senior instructor at Fort Jackson, shares her remarkable journey in military ministry. She discusses the transition from company to field grade and the complexities of mentoring soldiers. Alison emphasizes the significance of maintaining spiritual wellness among grieving troops and the balance required between faith leadership and military duties. She also explores the importance of community engagement and the vital role chaplains play in supporting soldiers through moral dilemmas in modern warfare.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
First Female Chaplain At JSOC
- Alison Ward recounted joining JSOC as the first female chaplain and serving two years with deployments and joint operations.
- She described that role as a major growth experience bridging battalion ministry and strategic environments.
Tough Seasons: Handling Multiple Losses
- Ward described the hardest seasons as times with multiple soldier deaths and back-to-back memorials.
- She emphasized the drain of pouring into grieving soldiers while needing to replenish personally.
Maintain Spiritual Disciplines
- Read and practice spiritual disciplines to keep your ministry vibrant and avoid rote religion.
- Prioritize personal spiritual rhythms so you can pour out of a full cup, not the dregs.
