The prayer breakfast was an evaluated exercise scenario for the chaplains to assess their skills in providing support to Soldiers in a field environment.

“These are all evaluated exercises,” said Lt. Col. Jerico Deveyra, a chaplain with the 658th Regional Support Group Unity Ministry Team. “We will have an after action review within the next week.”

The AARs provide feedback from the assessment to allow the ministry team an opportunity to further hone their skills in this tasks.

The event was also attended by Brig. Gen Andrew Harewood, deputy chief of chaplains for the U.S. Army Reserve who made time in his schedule to attend the breakfast and watch the ministry team in action.

“The brigadier general was here for his battlefield circulation,” said Deveyra.

The visit was not planned for by the ministry team, but they were excited to have Brig. Gen. Harewood in attendance explained Deveyra: “He was here to support and encourage Soldiers and chaplains during this CSTX,” he said.

During the exercise, chaplains provided religious support and services for area operations which reflect their real world duties.

“I think for me, not just as a chaplain – but as a part of a unit – it becomes very critical that every single Soldier understands that there ought to be something inside of them that will give them true resiliency,” said Harewood in a few remarks at the closing of the event.

The prayer breakfast is one of the ways to provide resilience and morale for our Soldiers when away from their families while dealing with the stress of military life added Deveyra. Chaplains are crucial to execute the commander’s mission.

“Being a chaplain in the Army is a great calling to serve God. We have this battle cry, 'Pro Deo et Patria' meaning: for God and country. We serve our country and we love to serve God at the same time.”