Earlier this month, I had the privilege of traveling to Washington, D.C., to participate in the United States Coast Guard Chaplains' Annual Professional Summit and National Ombudsman Training, held at Coast Guard Headquarters. Over several days, chaplains, ombudsmen, and senior leaders from across the country gathered to strengthen collaboration, share best practices, and reaffirm our shared mission of serving those who serve.
As an ACS Chaplain, I volunteer my time with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, providing direct support to the Active-Duty Coast Guard. This summit was both an honor and a humbling reminder of the critical role chaplains play in sustaining the spiritual, moral, and emotional well-being of our Service members and their families.
The first day began with a welcome from Chaplain Jennifer Bowden, Chaplain of the Coast Guard, who set the tone with a reminder that our role as chaplains is not only to provide faith-based support but also to ensure that the spiritual and emotional needs of our members are met.
From there, sessions focused on real-world ministry in crises:
Hurricane Response Ministry with Atlantic Area leadership.
Border Response Ministry with Pacific Area chaplains.
We also heard from the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance CEO, Brooke Millard, about resources available to support members and families in times of need.
One impactful moment was the special town hall with Mrs. LyndaLee Lunday, Ombudsman at Large, who spoke powerfully about family readiness, access to healthcare, housing, and the challenges military families face. Her words reinforced how essential the partnership between chaplains and ombudsmen truly is.
The day concluded with remarks from Admiral Kevin Lunday, Acting Commandant of the Coast Guard, who spoke about future priorities and how spiritual resilience is integrated into operational readiness.
The second day expanded into deeper themes of prevention and preparedness, with presentations such as:
Integrated Prevention Program – focusing on early interventions and holistic support.
Emergency Preparedness Training – equipping chaplains to be present in moments of crisis.
Operational Stress Management (STR-M 101) – a powerful, hands-on session that introduced grounding techniques, box breathing, optimism-building, and strategies for managing stress in high-demand environments.
Mental Health Awareness and Support – a reminder that seeking mental health care does not threaten careers or security clearances, but rather strengthens the readiness of our Service.
Hearing from senior leadership, including Vice Admiral Thomas Allan Jr., Acting Vice Commandant, and the Senior Leadership Panel with ADM Lunday and MCPOCG Phillip Waldron, underscored the Coast Guard’s commitment to caring for its people while navigating Force Design 2028 and beyond.
At SoulLinks, our mission is clear: to serve those who serve, military, law enforcement, and first responders. The summit reaffirmed that resilience, mental health, and spiritual well-being are not secondary to the mission; they are foundational to it.
What I brought home from Washington is this: chaplaincy is about presence. Whether on the front lines of a hurricane response, supporting a young Coast Guard family, or sitting with a service member wrestling with stress, chaplains are called to stand in the gap. That calling resonates deeply with the work we do at SoulLinks, where we combine faith, compassion, and practical support to meet people where they are.
I left the summit with renewed energy, strengthened relationships, and practical tools that will directly impact our service through SoulLinks. We will continue to build programs that equip those on the frontlines with resilience, grounded in spiritual care and compassion.
Although I was only able to attend the first two days of the summit, the experience was both inspiring and instructive. I am grateful to have stood shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow chaplains, ombudsmen, and leaders from across the Coast Guard.
SoulLinks remains committed to carrying this vision forward, ensuring that those who dedicate their lives to serving others have the spiritual strength, emotional resilience, and community support they need to thrive.
