Porter knows there are many similarities between the
two, but as a chaplain, Porter provides something that a
civilian cannot- an understanding of military culture.
“The work of a pastor and
chaplain is very similar. All
of it has to do of taking care of
people in their faith and
helping them grow,”
“We understand what a military member is going through.
They may come to us because they’ve been disciplined.
Maybe they’re having difficulty reintegrating from a deployment. A pastor may not understand what that means.
We understand,” he said.
In addition to serving at home, Porter has been deployed
to Iraq and has seen how chaplains benefit members
serving downrange. “In these locations, people are often
faced with their own mortality and thoughts of eternity,”
Porter said. “They often want to be in a place where they
can focus on God or at least be encouraged that things
are going to be ok.”
The Air Force and chaplain corps have certainly taken
Porter, his wife, and two children, on an adventure. Since
2000, Porter has been from Holloman Air Force Base,
New Mexico, to Alaska, from Kunsan Air Base, South Korea, to Iraq.
“My wife and I totally have enjoyed it. There are things
you miss when you’re in the military. There are sacrifices
you make,” Porter said. “I’ve done so many things I never
would have gotten to do if I hadn’t joined active duty. The
job and the locations we’ve been has been a fascinating
and enriching experience to us.”
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