Each December 28, the U.S. Army celebrates the vital role of religious affairs specialists, the enlisted Soldiers who provide essential spiritual support to Soldiers and their Families. This date marks the anniversary of General Order No. 253, issued by the War Department in 1909, which formally established the role of Chaplain Assistant, recognizing the long-standing contributions of enlisted personnel in the Army’s ministry team and paving the way for today’s religious affairs specialists.
Religious affairs specialists serve as the backbone of the Army’s spiritual and religious support mission. They work closely with chaplains to ensure Soldiers and their Families have access to worship services, counseling, and moral guidance. Their responsibilities include preparing worship spaces, managing supplies, assisting with ceremonies, and safeguarding chaplains during deployments. By combining operational skill with spiritual support, religious affairs specialists strengthen unit cohesion and ensure that Soldiers’ emotional and spiritual needs are met, even in challenging environments.
The December 28 anniversary celebrates both the historical origin and the enduring importance of this position. Over the years, the role has evolved from the early chaplain assistant to MOS 71B, and in 2015, it was officially renamed religious affairs specialist (56M). The introduction of the unit ministry team in 1974, pairing a chaplain with a religious affairs specialist at the battalion level, further emphasized the critical role these Soldiers play in supporting the Army Family.
Several religious affairs specialists stand out for their service and leadership. Notable figures include those who have served in combat deployments alongside Soldiers, receiving awards for bravery and operational excellence, and those who have helped shape training and doctrine for the specialty. Their contributions highlight how religious affairs specialists combine operational proficiency with care for the spiritual and moral health of Soldiers.
Staff Sergeant Christopher T. Stout
Staff Sgt. Christopher T. Stout served as a religious affairs specialist and became the first known Soldier in that specialty to be killed in action since the Vietnam War. His service exemplified the mission of the profession: providing religious support in combat and ensuring Soldiers’ spiritual readiness in challenging environments. His legacy continues through the “Staff Sgt. Christopher Stout Medal,” awarded to religious affairs specialists who demonstrate exceptional religious support leadership.
Master Sergeant Wayne Penn Sr., Ph.D.
Master Sgt. Wayne Penn Sr., Ph.D., served as a religious affairs specialist for 24 years and later spoke at the anniversary gala marking 113 years of the specialty. At that event, he emphasized “back to the basics” in religious-support tasks: physical security, ministry of presence, and administrative and logistical support. His career reflects how religious affairs specialists combine Soldier skills with spiritual support for both Soldiers and their Families.
Sergeant Major James J. Schonefeld
Sgt. Maj. James J. Schonefeld served as the first Chaplain Corps regimental sergeant major for what is now the religious affairs specialist career field. He attended the 113th anniversary celebration of the specialty, representing the senior enlisted leadership side of the ministry team. His service demonstrates how the role has professionalized over time, evolving from informal support to recognized enlisted leadership within the Army’s ministry structure.
As the Army continues to emphasize readiness in all dimensions, religious affairs specialists remain essential to maintaining the spiritual and emotional resilience of Soldiers and their Families. On December 28 and throughout the year, the Army honors these professionals whose dedication strengthens both the mission and the heart of the force.
Each December 28, the U.S. Army celebrates the vital role of religious affairs specialists, the enlisted Soldiers who provide essential spiritual support to Soldiers and their Families. This date marks the anniversary of General Order No. 253, issued by the War Department in 1909, which formally established the role of Chaplain Assistant, recognizing the long-standing contributions of enlisted personnel in the Army’s ministry team and paving the way for today’s religious affairs specialists.
Religious affairs specialists serve as the backbone of the Army’s spiritual and religious support mission. They work closely with chaplains to ensure Soldiers and their Families have access to worship services, counseling, and moral guidance. Their responsibilities include preparing worship spaces, managing supplies, assisting with ceremonies, and safeguarding chaplains during deployments. By combining operational skill with spiritual support, religious affairs specialists strengthen unit cohesion and ensure that Soldiers’ emotional and spiritual needs are met, even in challenging environments.
The December 28 anniversary celebrates both the historical origin and the enduring importance of this position. Over the years, the role has evolved from the early chaplain assistant to MOS 71B, and in 2015, it was officially renamed religious affairs specialist (56M). The introduction of the unit ministry team in 1974, pairing a chaplain with a religious affairs specialist at the battalion level, further emphasized the critical role these Soldiers play in supporting the Army Family.
Several religious affairs specialists stand out for their service and leadership. Notable figures include those who have served in combat deployments alongside Soldiers, receiving awards for bravery and operational excellence, and those who have helped shape training and doctrine for the specialty. Their contributions highlight how religious affairs specialists combine operational proficiency with care for the spiritual and moral health of Soldiers.
Staff Sergeant Christopher T. Stout
Staff Sgt. Christopher T. Stout served as a religious affairs specialist and became the first known Soldier in that specialty to be killed in action since the Vietnam War. His service exemplified the mission of the profession: providing religious support in combat and ensuring Soldiers’ spiritual readiness in challenging environments. His legacy continues through the “Staff Sgt. Christopher Stout Medal,” awarded to religious affairs specialists who demonstrate exceptional religious support leadership.
Master Sergeant Wayne Penn Sr., Ph.D.
Master Sgt. Wayne Penn Sr., Ph.D., served as a religious affairs specialist for 24 years and later spoke at the anniversary gala marking 113 years of the specialty. At that event, he emphasized “back to the basics” in religious-support tasks: physical security, ministry of presence, and administrative and logistical support. His career reflects how religious affairs specialists combine Soldier skills with spiritual support for both Soldiers and their Families.
Sergeant Major James J. Schonefeld
Sgt. Maj. James J. Schonefeld served as the first Chaplain Corps regimental sergeant major for what is now the religious affairs specialist career field. He attended the 113th anniversary celebration of the specialty, representing the senior enlisted leadership side of the ministry team. His service demonstrates how the role has professionalized over time, evolving from informal support to recognized enlisted leadership within the Army’s ministry structure.
As the Army continues to emphasize readiness in all dimensions, religious affairs specialists remain essential to maintaining the spiritual and emotional resilience of Soldiers and their Families. On December 28 and throughout the year, the Army honors these professionals whose dedication strengthens both the mission and the heart of the force.