VA National Guard Armory
692 Waterloo Road
Warrenton, VA 20186
Battalion Commander
LTC Holland
Executive Officer / S1
MAJ Terrill
Command Sergeant Major
CSM Williams
All contents copyright
© 23rd Battalion, Blackhorse Brigade, Virginia Defense Force
The Chaplain's Corner
I’m Chaplain Baker, the 23rd Battalion chaplain. I’m proud to be a part of the Blackhorse Brigade and the Virginia Defense Force!
Chaplaincy has been a part of the state militia since the very beginning. One of my great-great forbears was a chaplain in the Virginia Militia during the American Revolution. Times have changed a bit – back then, chaplains were almost exclusively Christian and were enlisted as privates by the commanding officers of their unit. Chaplains were usually the local parson of the church where the commander worshipped. Very few chaplains had formal theological training.
Today, things work differently. Chaplains are selected by their faith groups and specifically endorsed for state guard chaplaincy. The requirements for incoming VDF chaplains are the same as those on Federal active duty: in addition to an endorsement, we each must have graduate degrees in theology or a related field. Many chaplains enter the VDF without prior military experience.
I received my graduate theological education at the University of Cambridge in England. After retiring from Federal service, I served in the Texas State Guard and the Alabama State Defense Force before becoming a part of the VDF. In my last assignment, I served as a Guard support chaplain in Richmond. I hold the VDF basic communicator badge and the basic MEMS badge.
Chaplains serve three primary roles in the VDF. Chaplains assist their Guard chaplain counterparts directly, especially preparing for troop deployments and returns. Chaplains perform unit chaplaincy, providing spiritual comfort, counseling, services, and direction for VDF unit members and their families. Chaplains also act as unit morale and welfare officers, and provide unit leaders with confidential counseling on issues of ethics and cultural sensitivity. Many chaplains perform specific religious rites including weddings and funerals.
When you need spiritual guidance or help, your first best solution is a nearby religious leader/educator from your own faith background. This isn’t always possible, and many time soldiers don’t feel connected to a local congregation. This is where your chaplains can serve you. We live in a very diverse area. While the majority population is Christian, there are substantial numbers of Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, and many, many other faiths. I serve as a Christian chaplain (endorsed by the United Methodist Church.) If you need assistance from someone of a different faith background, I can help you find them.
If you have a specific need or question, or just need a listening ear, you can call me at 571-268-2887 or email me at Roger.Baker@rogerbaker.net. I live nearby in Burke. You can call me “chaplain,” “padre,” “reverend,” or any other religious title you’re comfortable with. . . just make sure you call me!
May every blessing be yours! –Chaplain Baker