BELGRADE, Serbia – Three chaplains and a religious affairs specialist from the Ohio National Guard visited Serbia in September to meet with military chaplains as part of the State Partnership Program.
The week-long visit was intended to strengthen relationships that enhance global security, understanding and cooperation between the two partners.
In 1993, the United States began the State Partnership program to build relationships with former states of the Soviet Union. The program has grown to include 106 nations partnered with 50 U.S. states, three territories and the District of Columbia.
In 2005, the Ohio National Guard began its relationship with Serbia. In 2013, the Serbian Armed Forces began its chaplain ministry after over 70 years of not having one. The former Yugoslavian communist government heavily opposed religion in the military.
“Ohio has had the opportunity to help Serbia develop their chaplaincy over the last 10 years, and they now have nearly 40 chaplains serving in their military,” said U.S. Army Col. Daniel Burris, the state chaplain of Ohio.
Burris said the Serbian Chaplaincy has adopted many of the American customs to the unit ministry team or the religious support team that serves their service members.
“The Serbian people believe spirituality is important and that it is the foundation to a soldier’s life,” said Burris. “So we as chaplains help our Soldiers build their spiritual foundation, so they are strong Soldiers and strong individuals.”
The Serbian Chaplaincy came to Ohio in 2019, visiting Notre Dame College outside Cleveland. The city of Cleveland and Kraljevo, Serbia, participate in a sister city program together, and the Serbian Chaplaincy attended liturgies at the St. Sava Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church of Cleveland.
“One of the most exciting things about the experience is the nature of the welcoming environment,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Branch, chaplain of the 178th Wing. “Our Serbian counterparts welcomed us with open arms, and likewise, we have done the same.”
The Ohio National Guard chaplains toured museums that told the history of Serbia, and mosques, Orthodox and Catholic churches and synagogues. The Serbian Armed Forces chaplains work inside civilian churches and provide soldiers with religious support and guidance.
“This is my second trip, and each time we have come back we have learned more about their history and who they are,” said Branch. “It shows how much we are alike. We are both trying to serve our military members and give them the opportunity to know who they are and how important they are in this whole picture of military life.”
The Ohio National Guard chaplains attended a liturgy Sept. 15 at the St. Alexandar Nevsky Serbian Orthodox Church in Belgrade. Two Serbian Armed Forces chaplains presided over the liturgy.
“We have common relations which have lasted for years,” said Serbian General Staff Capt. Aleksandar Sekulić, an Orthodox priest for the Serbian Armed Forces and one of the priests who presided over the liturgy. “We have good cooperation, and we visit each other to improve how we can be closer to the soldiers in order to achieve our main role, to be spiritual leaders.”
Allowing both nations to attend the other’s religious events promoted learning from one another on how to best take care of their forces, mentally and spiritually.
Every chaplain, American or Serbian, is assigned an assistant or religious affairs specialist to make them more effective. They assist in planning and synchronizing religious support operations and coordinating the circulation of the unit ministry team to ensure the service members’ spiritual readiness.
“During our time in Serbia, I have noticed that the chaplains and their religious affairs assistants share very similar styles as the Ohio National Guard,” said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Laken Rohrer, religious affairs Airman assigned to the 178th Wing. “We work with our chaplains one-on-one. The only difference is their religious affairs assistants have to practice the same faith background as their chaplain, and in the U.S., we do not.”
The relationships between Ohio and Serbia promote cultural understanding beyond the battlefield and benefit civilian communities in both countries. These cross-cultural events allow the Ohio National Guard to learn from Serbia and build lasting relationships that will develop and strengthen both nations’ armed forces.
“Being a part of this experience has made me realize that regardless of who you are, where you come from, if you are an Airman or Soldier, American or Serbian, all of us are more similar than we may realize,” said U.S. Army Capt. Kelsee Jordan, battalion chaplain for the 134th Field Artillery Regiment.
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